Jun 13, 2013, 6:55 am
Last edit by: Prospero
Transportation Voucher, "MCO" FAQ
Transportation eVouchers
Link to aa.com eVouchers Terms and Conditions page
Link to aa.com eVoucher page
General Information
Glossary: MCO - Miscellaneous Charges Order
AA issues e-vouchers to those in US 50 states, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as of 28 Nov 2019. Printed green vouchers are still used for those residing elsewhere at this time.
Transportation vouchers issued by American Airlines or American EagleŪ are valid for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle and American Airlines codeshare flights (AA*).
These vouchers are also valid for travel on oneworldŪ itineraries (including oneworld affiliates that must be booked as a codeshare flight marketed by a oneworld carrier) where American Airlines or American Airlines codeshare flights (AA*) is the international carrier.
Note: For oneworld itineraries, international flights are defined as transatlantic, transpacific and flights to and from South America. Flights to and from Alaska, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, or Central America are not included.
Travel agents may accept American Airlines vouchers (042/043) for full or partial payment for a ticket as an "exchange" document/ticket. If the voucher is less than the ticket the additional monies are collected. If the voucher exceeds the ticket cost an MCO will be issued for the difference as a residual indicating non-refundable and for American Airlines transportation only. Valid one year from date of issue ((you must encumber the voucher before one year has expired since issuance*). There is no change fee / ASC associated with using a voucher. Updated 18 Feb 2015.)
The original post, provided by member IceTrojan, has been placed here so members can edit and update as necessary. Information below has not necessarily been updated; be aware.
FAQ: AA Vouchers
Q. How do vouchers work on AA?
They are treated just like cash towards valid purchases.
Q. What can I use the vouchers on?
Yes, travel vouchers can be used toward the American Airlines and American Eagle flight portion of your trip, but may not be used to purchase any of the non-flight components of your trip such as hotels, rental cars, transfers, activities or insurance. Travel vouchers are not currently accepted online, but may be redeemed by calling AAVacations at 1-800-489-4810.
Q. Can I use the vouchers for ANYTHING else?
No.
Q. Really?
Yes, really.
Q. Are there restrictions on purchasing airfare?
Unlike other airlines that place restrictions on certain fares/dates/times/routes, AA vouchers are just like cash, so you can use them to buy all fares that are available for purchase.
Q. How long do I have to use the vouchers?
One (1) year from date of issuance.
Q. I can't use my voucher in time. How can I extend the expiration date?
AA automatically extended the expiration of some vouchers in 2021. If your expiration date was between January 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021, the new expiration is March 31, 2022.
If you still need to extend the expiration, spend at least part it on any of its valid uses listed above. For example, pay for a cheap throwaway ticket, a speculative ticket, or a 500-mile upgrade certificate. Any unused amount will be sent to you as a new voucher with a new 1-year expiration date.
Q. What if I lose a voucher?
Sorry, you're out of luck. Treat your vouchers like cash.
Q. Can I use the vouchers to buy tickets for someone else?
While vouchers are non-transferable, you may buy a ticket in someone else's name, so long as you are the one presenting the voucher (either by phone or personally at a ticket counter/office). If someone else presents the voucher, the ticket MUST be issued in the name of that on the voucher.
Q. Is there a fee for using the vouchers?
It appears that ticketing at an airport ticket office is still subject to a charge of $30, unless you are EXP.
Note that if you are EXP, these "booking" fees are waived (and any Agent that tells you otherwise is wrong). (thanks SquareDanceGuy)
Note that if you have booked the ticket online and go to the airport to apply a voucher, there are no fees either, regardless of status. (thanks RogerD408)
Q. What happens to the taxes?
This depends on the type of voucher. The following voucher codes are exempt from some of the taxes: Basically, if you use these vouchers to pay for the whole cost of your fare, you will lower the overall costs as some of the taxes do not apply. (thanks uncle wiggly) If you make a partial payment with vouchers, then the associated taxes will likewise be reduced by the same proportional amount. (thanks marshall)
OU is the only voucher taxable, as it's issued against the unused portion of a ticket that has been exchanged (amongst other things). (thanks hillrider)
Q. What if the value of my vouchers exceed the value of my fare? Do I lose it? (thanks ffay005)
Unlike some* other airlines, you do NOT lose the residual value of your vouchers. If the residual value is more than $5, AA will mail you another voucher back as change, and this voucher is valid for one (1) year after its issuance. (thanks whynotfly) *golfmad added the word "some" based on post #440.
Q. How many vouchers can I use at one time?
According to one AAgent, nine (9) was the maximum number of vouchers accepted by the system.
Q. I bought AA tickets from a 3rd party (e.g., travel agent, internet travel site, Priceline/Hotwire). Can I use the vouchers retroactively?
No.
Q. How long does it take to process the vouchers?
After they receive the vouchers, AA will process them within 1-3 days, so it's really dependent on how long it takes the mail to arrive to Florida. AA reservations will accept the vouchers for a phone booking, if the reservation made is at least 12 days prior to departure. It's recommended that if you need to ticket within 2 weeks that you go directly to an Airport Ticket Office, which can process your voucher/s immediately.
Q. How do I apply vouchers to a reservation I have on hold on AA.com?
US: up-to-date in March 2021, UK: up-to-date in January 2022
American Airlines
M.D. 8A701
Fort Worth, TX 76155
USA
The return address for those in the UK and the rest of Europe, who have agreed to send their voucher(s) to AA in the UK, is:
American Airlines
100 Old Hall Street
The Plaza, 7th floor
Liverpool L3 9QJ
United Kingdom
On the envelope under the return address, write:
<Date of first flight, in DD Month format (e.g. 01 Jan)>
Attach a sticky note to the vouchers with the following details:
<First flight number, e.g. AA1234>
<Last name>
<Booking record locator, AKA booking reference>
(Notice: vouchers are not processed sequentially based on date of the voucher/s being received by AA, but rather on flight dates. Flights may show as "Ticket Pending" once the voucher has been applied, and at some time prior to flight (two weeks is usual) it will show "Ticketed" and you should be able to see your ticket number, beginning with "001", in your receipt from your itinerary at aa.com or in your e-Ticket. Also notice that you should photocopy your voucher/s prior to mailing them.)
Q. What if I entered a Business Extra number?
You will have to contact Business Extra to apply the vouchers. Their number is 1-800-433-1790, and they are available 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM, CT, 7 days a week.
Q. What if I live outside the United States and I want to use vouchers?
As the vouchers are in US Dollars, it's probably most convenient to call the US reservations number for a new booking denoted in US Dollars, thus avoiding any currency conversion, except any associated with your credit card. You can call your local reservations number or visit a local Airport Ticket Office (ATO). Beware that there's not a large network of ATOs.
In all likelihood, you will be asked to mail your voucher(s) to AA, so if time is of the essence, you should consider going directly to an ATO, who can process it/them immediately.
Q. How do vouchers work on AA?
They are treated just like cash towards valid purchases.
Q. What can I use the vouchers on?
- Airfare on American Airlines (inc. American Eagle), codeshares, and oneworld itineraries where AA is the international/"governing" carrier.
- 500-mile domestic upgrade stickers (at the airport only).
- Co-payments for upgrades or reduced mileage awards.
- Excess baggage fees.
- Special handling fees (e.g. checked pets), with a traveling passenger (i.e. not cargo).
- Change fees, provided an additional collection of the fare is also being made.
- In the UK, Belgium, Germany and France, vouchers are accepted for Net fares.
- In Switzerland, vouchers are accepted on Q and L class Net fares only.
- In Ireland, vouchers are accepted in Q, O and L class Net fares only.
Yes, travel vouchers can be used toward the American Airlines and American Eagle flight portion of your trip, but may not be used to purchase any of the non-flight components of your trip such as hotels, rental cars, transfers, activities or insurance. Travel vouchers are not currently accepted online, but may be redeemed by calling AAVacations at 1-800-489-4810.
Q. Can I use the vouchers for ANYTHING else?
No.
Q. Really?
Yes, really.
Q. Are there restrictions on purchasing airfare?
Unlike other airlines that place restrictions on certain fares/dates/times/routes, AA vouchers are just like cash, so you can use them to buy all fares that are available for purchase.
Q. How long do I have to use the vouchers?
One (1) year from date of issuance.
Q. I can't use my voucher in time. How can I extend the expiration date?
AA automatically extended the expiration of some vouchers in 2021. If your expiration date was between January 1, 2021 and May 31, 2021, the new expiration is March 31, 2022.
If you still need to extend the expiration, spend at least part it on any of its valid uses listed above. For example, pay for a cheap throwaway ticket, a speculative ticket, or a 500-mile upgrade certificate. Any unused amount will be sent to you as a new voucher with a new 1-year expiration date.
Q. What if I lose a voucher?
Sorry, you're out of luck. Treat your vouchers like cash.
Q. Can I use the vouchers to buy tickets for someone else?
While vouchers are non-transferable, you may buy a ticket in someone else's name, so long as you are the one presenting the voucher (either by phone or personally at a ticket counter/office). If someone else presents the voucher, the ticket MUST be issued in the name of that on the voucher.
Q. Is there a fee for using the vouchers?
It appears that ticketing at an airport ticket office is still subject to a charge of $30, unless you are EXP.
Note that if you are EXP, these "booking" fees are waived (and any Agent that tells you otherwise is wrong). (thanks SquareDanceGuy)
Note that if you have booked the ticket online and go to the airport to apply a voucher, there are no fees either, regardless of status. (thanks RogerD408)
Q. What happens to the taxes?
This depends on the type of voucher. The following voucher codes are exempt from some of the taxes: Basically, if you use these vouchers to pay for the whole cost of your fare, you will lower the overall costs as some of the taxes do not apply. (thanks uncle wiggly) If you make a partial payment with vouchers, then the associated taxes will likewise be reduced by the same proportional amount. (thanks marshall)
OU is the only voucher taxable, as it's issued against the unused portion of a ticket that has been exchanged (amongst other things). (thanks hillrider)
Q. What if the value of my vouchers exceed the value of my fare? Do I lose it? (thanks ffay005)
Unlike some* other airlines, you do NOT lose the residual value of your vouchers. If the residual value is more than $5, AA will mail you another voucher back as change, and this voucher is valid for one (1) year after its issuance. (thanks whynotfly) *golfmad added the word "some" based on post #440.
Q. How many vouchers can I use at one time?
According to one AAgent, nine (9) was the maximum number of vouchers accepted by the system.
Q. I bought AA tickets from a 3rd party (e.g., travel agent, internet travel site, Priceline/Hotwire). Can I use the vouchers retroactively?
No.
Q. How long does it take to process the vouchers?
After they receive the vouchers, AA will process them within 1-3 days, so it's really dependent on how long it takes the mail to arrive to Florida. AA reservations will accept the vouchers for a phone booking, if the reservation made is at least 12 days prior to departure. It's recommended that if you need to ticket within 2 weeks that you go directly to an Airport Ticket Office, which can process your voucher/s immediately.
Q. How do I apply vouchers to a reservation I have on hold on AA.com?
- Call Web Services at 1-800-222-2377 or 1-918-832-1384 (6:00 AM - 2:00 AM CT, 7 days a week). In the UK, call 08-45-601-0619 (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM UK time, Monday-Friday).
- Give them the PNR and tell them you would like to apply vouchers.
- They will give you instructions on how to send the vouchers in.
- Pay any balance with a credit card.
US: up-to-date in March 2021, UK: up-to-date in January 2022
American Airlines
M.D. 8A701
Fort Worth, TX 76155
USA
The return address for those in the UK and the rest of Europe, who have agreed to send their voucher(s) to AA in the UK, is:
American Airlines
100 Old Hall Street
The Plaza, 7th floor
Liverpool L3 9QJ
United Kingdom
On the envelope under the return address, write:
<Date of first flight, in DD Month format (e.g. 01 Jan)>
Attach a sticky note to the vouchers with the following details:
<First flight number, e.g. AA1234>
<Last name>
<Booking record locator, AKA booking reference>
(Notice: vouchers are not processed sequentially based on date of the voucher/s being received by AA, but rather on flight dates. Flights may show as "Ticket Pending" once the voucher has been applied, and at some time prior to flight (two weeks is usual) it will show "Ticketed" and you should be able to see your ticket number, beginning with "001", in your receipt from your itinerary at aa.com or in your e-Ticket. Also notice that you should photocopy your voucher/s prior to mailing them.)
Q. What if I entered a Business Extra number?
You will have to contact Business Extra to apply the vouchers. Their number is 1-800-433-1790, and they are available 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM, CT, 7 days a week.
Q. What if I live outside the United States and I want to use vouchers?
As the vouchers are in US Dollars, it's probably most convenient to call the US reservations number for a new booking denoted in US Dollars, thus avoiding any currency conversion, except any associated with your credit card. You can call your local reservations number or visit a local Airport Ticket Office (ATO). Beware that there's not a large network of ATOs.
In all likelihood, you will be asked to mail your voucher(s) to AA, so if time is of the essence, you should consider going directly to an ATO, who can process it/them immediately.
Obsolete posts from 2014-2015 have been archived to: ARCHIVE: Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread.
Older obsolete posts from 2013 and before, can be read in: ARCHIVE: Transportation Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread (consol.).
Transportation e- and paper Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread
Sep 14, 2016, 7:31 am
#241
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Has anyone else had a problem with receiving paper vouchers thru the USPS from AA ? I have had 3 instances of vouchers being issued and supposedly sent to my home address not arriving. They sent me an affidavit to sign that I have not received it. Once they get the signed affidavit , they re-issue a new voucher and it arrives with no problems. This over the last six months or so.
I'm sure AA won't release the numbers, but I'm curious how many vouchers go unused because they are put in a file somewhere and never seen again? Granted they don't cost AA face value, but I'd bet it adds up to a large number.
Sep 14, 2016, 9:42 am
#242
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Alternately, if you can get to an airport with AA service, you could have them process the voucher and ticket your reservation, which cuts out USPS delivery time and not knowing if AA has the voucher and is processing it from the equation.
Sep 14, 2016, 10:21 am
#243
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
I don't know how long they give you, but I'd put the voucher in the mail immediately.
Alternately, if you can get to an airport with AA service, you could have them process the voucher and ticket your reservation, which cuts out USPS delivery time and not knowing if AA has the voucher and is processing it from the equation.
Alternately, if you can get to an airport with AA service, you could have them process the voucher and ticket your reservation, which cuts out USPS delivery time and not knowing if AA has the voucher and is processing it from the equation.
Sep 14, 2016, 10:37 am
#244
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: AA Plat, SPG/Marriot Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Expl
Posts: 2,363
Sep 14, 2016, 10:57 am
#246
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
You can always keep checking flights and booking new reservations. Just be cautious about having an existing booking and trying to make a new one.
Sep 15, 2016, 2:04 pm
#247
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold / Hilton Diamond / IHG Diamond Ambassador / Marriot Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 2,533
I think I probably know the answer to this question, but here goes anyway...
I am London-based and have ended up with an unused AA transportation voucher with a face value of GBP 119 and a March 2017 expiry. As I don't have plans to visit the US before then, it seems like I have 3 choices:
1. Make an unnecessary trip to the US (much as I love you guys, seems a bit silly!)
2. Throw the voucher away (seems a shame)
3. Use it on an AA booking within Europe...
Does such a thing as (3) even exist standalone ? I assume the AA codeshares on AY, BA etc. are only valid in conjunction with a trans-Atlantic ticket...?
I am London-based and have ended up with an unused AA transportation voucher with a face value of GBP 119 and a March 2017 expiry. As I don't have plans to visit the US before then, it seems like I have 3 choices:
1. Make an unnecessary trip to the US (much as I love you guys, seems a bit silly!)
2. Throw the voucher away (seems a shame)
3. Use it on an AA booking within Europe...
Does such a thing as (3) even exist standalone ? I assume the AA codeshares on AY, BA etc. are only valid in conjunction with a trans-Atlantic ticket...?
They can be used for anyone so long as you present them, indeed all 4 in my case can be used for a single ticket. That makes them useful perhaps for weekend in Boston or New York or to offset a Tier Point run in business.
Given that anyone can use them Ebay seems an option rather han throwing them away.
Sep 16, 2016, 1:54 pm
#248
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
Can you use them at the airport? I could've sworn a few months ago when I checked aa.com website it only had a very specific list of ticket counters (like less than 10) that you could redeem them at.
Sep 16, 2016, 2:12 pm
#249
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Was DEN at that list? I did mine there, and it seems like that would be low on the list of AA places they could be used if that is indeed true.
Sep 16, 2016, 2:31 pm
#250
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Posts: 1,629
This is new info that should be added to the wiki. Do you have the link from as.com which details the locations?
Sep 17, 2016, 12:09 am
#251
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Sep 17, 2016, 4:54 am
#252
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Manchester,UK and NYC
Programs: One Pass, BAEC, AA
Posts: 708
Help from the forum kindly appreciated. My 82 year old mother was delayed by 4 hours on a flight from Manchester, UK to JFK. European Union Compensation Law entitles her to EUR 600 compensation (around $670).
One quick email to AA and they have offered a choice of either the EUR 600 or a $1000 e-voucher. A bit of reading on FT informed me that e-voucher is only good on flights ORIGINATING in USA, which will not be of use for my mother - as she only flies once a year to visit us in England - and I use miles for a business class ticket for her.
Another email to AA - and they agreed to issue a Paper voucher, which is valid for flights ORIGINATING in UK. They also made it clear that the voucher can be used by family, namely myself or my sons to visit their grandmother.
I have read the rather archaic method of how one needs to use the voucher (flashback to 1975 hey). What I am awaiting is a reply from AA - and perhaps the good people on FT can help me out with is: Is the voucher only valid against the BASE FARE on International flight?
I have read the T+C for e-vouchers (but do not know if same for paper voucher):
eVouchers are redeemable toward the purchase of the base air fare and directly associated taxes, fees and charges that are collected as part of the fare calculation
A quick example:
Depart: NOVEMBER 1, 2017 AA 211 MAN - JFK
Return: NOVEMBER 12, 2017 AA 210 JFK- MAN
The total fare is $540.26 made up of:
BASE FARE: $123.00
CARRIER FEES $242.20
Passenger Service Charge (UK) $16.30
A.P.D. (UK DUTY) $96.60
Transport Tax (US) $35.60
US APHCS Fee $3.96
Passenger Facility Charge (US) $4.50
US Federal Inspection (US) $7.00
US Secuirty Fee (US) $5.60
US Customs Fee (US) $5.50
TOTAL OF TAXES + FEES $417.26
For obvious reasons, IF we could only use the voucher against the $123 Base Fare, and we would still have to pay for $417.26 in taxes and fees, I would have NO USE for the voucher - as we would never ever use up $1000 in one year.
I also read that when using a voucher certain taxes/fees are dropped.
Could anyone who has used voucher for International Tickets, originating Outside USA, advise me if the voucher only applies to Base Fare ($123) OR perhaps Base Fare + Carrier Fees ($362.20) ?
If applies to $362.20, of the remaining tax/fees of $175.06 - which of these is still payable by me, and which should be dropped?
Many thanks for your help - but AA sure do not make it that easy to use these vouchers - so my gut is telling me to take the EUR 600 ($670 cash).
One quick email to AA and they have offered a choice of either the EUR 600 or a $1000 e-voucher. A bit of reading on FT informed me that e-voucher is only good on flights ORIGINATING in USA, which will not be of use for my mother - as she only flies once a year to visit us in England - and I use miles for a business class ticket for her.
Another email to AA - and they agreed to issue a Paper voucher, which is valid for flights ORIGINATING in UK. They also made it clear that the voucher can be used by family, namely myself or my sons to visit their grandmother.
I have read the rather archaic method of how one needs to use the voucher (flashback to 1975 hey). What I am awaiting is a reply from AA - and perhaps the good people on FT can help me out with is: Is the voucher only valid against the BASE FARE on International flight?
I have read the T+C for e-vouchers (but do not know if same for paper voucher):
eVouchers are redeemable toward the purchase of the base air fare and directly associated taxes, fees and charges that are collected as part of the fare calculation
A quick example:
Depart: NOVEMBER 1, 2017 AA 211 MAN - JFK
Return: NOVEMBER 12, 2017 AA 210 JFK- MAN
The total fare is $540.26 made up of:
BASE FARE: $123.00
CARRIER FEES $242.20
Passenger Service Charge (UK) $16.30
A.P.D. (UK DUTY) $96.60
Transport Tax (US) $35.60
US APHCS Fee $3.96
Passenger Facility Charge (US) $4.50
US Federal Inspection (US) $7.00
US Secuirty Fee (US) $5.60
US Customs Fee (US) $5.50
TOTAL OF TAXES + FEES $417.26
For obvious reasons, IF we could only use the voucher against the $123 Base Fare, and we would still have to pay for $417.26 in taxes and fees, I would have NO USE for the voucher - as we would never ever use up $1000 in one year.
I also read that when using a voucher certain taxes/fees are dropped.
Could anyone who has used voucher for International Tickets, originating Outside USA, advise me if the voucher only applies to Base Fare ($123) OR perhaps Base Fare + Carrier Fees ($362.20) ?
If applies to $362.20, of the remaining tax/fees of $175.06 - which of these is still payable by me, and which should be dropped?
Many thanks for your help - but AA sure do not make it that easy to use these vouchers - so my gut is telling me to take the EUR 600 ($670 cash).
Last edited by forextrader; Sep 17, 2016 at 5:00 am
Sep 19, 2016, 2:55 pm
#253
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
Either that or I was on crack at the time. I'll have to see if I still have copies of the paper vouchers, as I think those had the link on them on where to look for places you could redeem them at.
Why AA still uses paper vouchers is beyond me, but perhaps they're banking on people losing them? Ironically when I used the aa.com "search" for:
redeem vouchers
It took me to e-vouchers section.
Sep 19, 2016, 3:39 pm
#254
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: NYC,MIA,XFL
Programs: AA EXP, B6 Mosaic, DL PM
Posts: 863
Sep 20, 2016, 9:39 am
#255
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,536
Scroll down (right below the first picture of the guy sitting in the chair)
Click the third icon/button that says:
Membership
There's no mention of a day pass there at all (there used to be).
BUT, if you scroll down the first page even farther, under Access clubs and lounges:
"Access to the Admirals ClubŪ is based on membership, elite status or ticketed class of service."
So if you scroll up and use that membership section I just referred to, you are mislead into not seeing the day pass.
But if you scroll down a little further on the first page, then you'll see:
Membership
and below that:
Day Pass
Even worse, on the Day Pass it just says it's $59 "select clubs" and then lists some exclusions, so perhaps that's why we were unable to get a day pass at PHL as apparently it's not a "select" club.