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Old Jun 13, 2013, 6:55 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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 Eagle® are valid for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle and American Airlines codeshare flights (AA*).

These vouchers are also valid for travel on oneworld® 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?
  • 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.
There are special considerations if you are located in the following countries (may not be up to date):
  • 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.
Q. Can I use American Airlines travel vouchers to purchase a vacation package from AAVacations?

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?
  1. 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).
  2. Give them the PNR and tell them you would like to apply vouchers.
  3. They will give you instructions on how to send the vouchers in.
  4. Pay any balance with a credit card.
Q. What's the address where I send my vouchers to?
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.).
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Transportation e- and paper Voucher / vouchers / "MCO" FAQ and master thread

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Old Feb 3, 2018, 10:41 am
  #496  
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,124
Pretty sure it has to be AA operated or it will not work.
erik123 is offline  
Old Feb 3, 2018, 11:37 am
  #497  
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
Correct, only American marketed and operated flights can be put on hold on aa.com.

I may be mistaken, but I believe you can book this over the phone and not be charged the $35 ticketing fee because you can't do it online. If you call, I'd definitely recommend clarifying this with the agent so you aren't hit with a surprise fee.
FlyerWx is offline  
Old Feb 3, 2018, 12:03 pm
  #498  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: DFW
Programs: AA,DL
Posts: 575
And if I correct, transportation voucher can be used to buy AA operated flights.
IAHtraveler likes this.
elpi is offline  
Old Feb 3, 2018, 2:19 pm
  #499  
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,033
Originally Posted by elpi
And if I correct, transportation voucher can be used to buy AA operated flights.
This was my experience when I last tried on a non-AA metal flight last year.
IAHtraveler is offline  
Old Feb 4, 2018, 6:03 am
  #500  
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
Really? I was told by the CS that it's possible to purchase non-AA operated flights - AA doesn't fly from CPH.
nacho is offline  
Old Feb 6, 2018, 11:26 am
  #501  
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 11
I've got $400 paper transportation voucher which runs out soon. I'm not planning to go to US this year (I'm in Europe) so plan to buy a refundable ticket and ask for a refund (as another voucher) later in 2018 which I can use up in 2019.

Can anyone recommend any refundable flight options that (minus the taxes) would be around $400-$500 - I've looked over the thread but am not sure which taxes are excluded.

Thanks
minkeygirl is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2018, 1:56 am
  #502  
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Join Date: Aug 2010
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Originally Posted by minkeygirl
I've got $400 paper transportation voucher which runs out soon. I'm not planning to go to US this year (I'm in Europe) so plan to buy a refundable ticket and ask for a refund (as another voucher) later in 2018 which I can use up in 2019.

Can anyone recommend any refundable flight options that (minus the taxes) would be around $400-$500 - I've looked over the thread but am not sure which taxes are excluded.

Thanks
The best bet would be domestic US flights - Have you called up AA to see if you can book BA flights? I was told that it's possible over the phone by the customer service officer who offered me the paper vouchers.
minkeygirl likes this.
nacho is offline  
Old Feb 15, 2018, 8:43 am
  #503  
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Gold, Marriott Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 15
Two questions:
1) my wife and I have a voucher but it was issued in her maiden name, she has since changed her last name so the name on the voucher does not match her AA#. Are we still able to redeem this or is it lost.
2) Can you use a voucher on multiple Record Locators/trips at the same time? For example can we book two trips that combined are less than the amount on the Voucher and have them both processed at the same time, or do we have to send the first one in then wait for the remaining amount voucher then send in the second trip?

Thanks in advance
cvgflyer1 is offline  
Old Feb 15, 2018, 9:58 am
  #504  
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 369
I was given a voucher a few weeks ago which I put towards a $78 ticket, but after being issued the price came out to around $50. Does using an AA-issued voucher nullify some taxes on the ticket?
potus18 is offline  
Old Feb 15, 2018, 10:00 am
  #505  
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,250
Originally Posted by potus18
I was given a voucher a few weeks ago which I put towards a $78 ticket, but after being issued the price came out to around $50. Does using an AA-issued voucher nullify some taxes on the ticket?
I don't think so. The voucher is just a form of currency that may be used to contribute towards payment for a ticket.
golfmad is offline  
Old Feb 15, 2018, 10:05 am
  #506  
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
Originally Posted by potus18
I was given a voucher a few weeks ago which I put towards a $78 ticket, but after being issued the price came out to around $50. Does using an AA-issued voucher nullify some taxes on the ticket?
Originally Posted by golfmad
I don't think so. The voucher is just a form of currency that may be used to contribute towards payment for a ticket.
Actually, yes, if it's the right type of voucher, some taxes do get waived. Read the Wiki for details. Getting an airport agent to know how to properly process the voucher can be a challenge. Some just refuse to accept them or to read the directions provided to them.
RogerD408 is offline  
Old Feb 15, 2018, 1:13 pm
  #507  
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 551
Originally Posted by cvgflyer1
Two questions:
1) my wife and I have a voucher but it was issued in her maiden name, she has since changed her last name so the name on the voucher does not match her AA#. Are we still able to redeem this or is it lost.
2) Can you use a voucher on multiple Record Locators/trips at the same time? For example can we book two trips that combined are less than the amount on the Voucher and have them both processed at the same time, or do we have to send the first one in then wait for the remaining amount voucher then send in the second trip?

Thanks in advance

As for the multiple trips question, if you can build it as a multi city trip with one PNR and the pricing is not ridiculous, you should be fine to redeem the voucher all at once. See below for a RT BUF-ORD combined with a RT BUF-MIA on one PNR.


Last edited by MathMusic; Feb 15, 2018 at 1:14 pm Reason: Clairty
MathMusic is offline  
Old Feb 15, 2018, 1:43 pm
  #508  
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Marriott Platinium
Posts: 1,334
I contacted AA because I didn't get a paper voucher in the mail (got lost), since it was not used they gave me a new one but now is an electronic voucher instead of paper voucher, I remember reading a couple of weeks ago that AA will not provide any more paper voucher starting Feb 1 2018.

Remember that eVoucher are not the same as Gift Cards, so in theory many flights will cost little less, at least on domestic flight they will only charge (from my own experience) the fee for US Passenger Facility Charge (XF), which is $4.50 each way.
fedechat is offline  
Old Feb 28, 2018, 12:33 am
  #509  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,909
So is is possible to book BA/IB etc operated flights using evouchers (long number with 4 digit pin code)?
azepine00 is offline  
Old Mar 9, 2018, 4:21 pm
  #510  
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: PHL (kinda, no airport is really close)
Programs: AA Exp, but not sure for how long. Enterprise Platinum woo-hoo!
Posts: 4,551
Voucher Not Usable on AA.Com

When the bad weather hit the east coast last weekend, I was allowed to change my flight. It worked out well because I was able to change from a crappy seat on a connection to a much better seat on a nonstop.

Somehow AA decided I was also entitled to a voucher for $7.20, which they mailed to me. It says "Redeemable at any AA ticket office or if travel is 12 days or more from ticketing @ 800-433-7300."

Does this mean I basically call to make the reservation, and they'll waive the call center fee?
redtop43 is offline  


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