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 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?
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
Mar 9, 2018, 4:50 pm
#512
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Hilton, IHG
Posts: 35
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?
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?
Mar 9, 2018, 4:53 pm
#513
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP, 2 Million Miler
Posts: 821
For a $7 voucher, I would just throw it out. AA cancelled a flight on me, 24 hours before the flight, because they didn't receive my $19 paper voucher, which I gave to an AA ticket counter 2 weeks before my flight. There are a number of similar stories with vouchers getting lost with either being mailed or given to a ticket counter.
These paper vouchers are a 1960's process that has many flaws and has to be very costly for AA to manage. It's one of the most ridiculous thing AA does. I believe most people throw out there vouchers because it's so cumbersome, which, I am convinced, AA hopes people do.
The last time I gave my voucher to the ticket counter, the agent had no idea what to do with it. It took about 30 minutes and getting a manager to work it out.
Mar 9, 2018, 5:11 pm
#514
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 214
I definitely wouldn't throw it out unless you like to throw cash in the trash - the voucher is real money. When you mail in the voucher to AA's office in Northern Florida, they advise you to write the flight date on the outside of the envelope as they process vouchers based on priority/flight dates. I agree it's an ancient process and they need to revamp the way they handle these vouchers, but I've never had any issues getting my vouchers processed.
Mar 9, 2018, 5:15 pm
#515
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP, 2 Million Miler
Posts: 821
I definitely wouldn't throw it out unless you like to throw cash in the trash - the voucher is real money. When you mail in the voucher to AA's office in Northern Florida, they advise you to write the flight date on the outside of the envelope as they process vouchers based on priority/flight dates. I agree it's an ancient process and they need to revamp the way they handle these vouchers, but I've never had any issues getting my vouchers processed.
Mar 9, 2018, 5:20 pm
#516
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
For people that live in NYC AA has a ticketing office in Manhattan near Grand Central. I always bring vouchers I have over there.
Mar 9, 2018, 5:20 pm
#517
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 214
Interesting - safe to say you should take a picture and/or make a copy of your voucher before sending it in so you have proof. Also, I'd recommend you don't book a departure date within a week of mailing in your voucher or you're at risk for not having the flight ticketed in time. I've only used the physical mail-in vouchers with my flights at least 3 weeks in advance.
Mar 9, 2018, 5:45 pm
#518
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Whidbey Island, WA
Programs: AA EXP, DL UA AS
Posts: 207
The best thing to do is to put the itinerary on hold (the last option on the payment screen) and then call in to complete the reservation. You will have to mail in the voucher and pay the balance by credit card. The ticket will show as pending until they process the mailed voucher. You won’t be charged a phone ticketing fee.
American's phone agents have done a good job handling these transactions, but it seems like a waste of AA's time and that of passengers to have to mail vouchers to Pensacola and wait for the ticketing to be finalized.
Mar 9, 2018, 6:14 pm
#519
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 491
This is one area where American could learn a lesson from Alaska, which credits refunds to your "wallet". Alaska also deposits companion vouchers in your online account.
American's phone agents have done a good job handling these transactions, but it seems like a waste of AA's time and that of passengers to have to mail vouchers to Pensacola and wait for the ticketing to be finalized.
American's phone agents have done a good job handling these transactions, but it seems like a waste of AA's time and that of passengers to have to mail vouchers to Pensacola and wait for the ticketing to be finalized.
Mar 9, 2018, 7:45 pm
#520
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
If this cost AA money, they would fix it. They count on breakage, and with it, make money.
Gift cards can be redeemed on line, they could just give gift cards.
Gift cards can be redeemed on line, they could just give gift cards.
Mar 13, 2018, 5:22 pm
#521
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: WRO, AQP
Programs: LatamPass Gold, SAS EBB, M&M
Posts: 674
A small update, perhaps someone will find it useful. I have a voucher that needs to be used by May. I am located in Poland and received the voucher in the USA last year. I made a reservation yesterday and put it on hold. Nowadays it is only possible to put flights on hold on the US version of aa.com, last year that was also an option on the European sites, but not any more. I called AA in the USA to apply the voucher and pay the rest of the fare with my credit card. The first agent I talked to informed me that they couldn't process foreign credit cards. She suggested I contact the AA office in Warsaw. AA doesn't fly to Poland and they outsource someone to deal with their reservations, so I was a bit doubtful whether they would know how to apply vouchers. Then she tried to contact the helpdesk, and I got disconnected. I called again and the other agent said that I might be able to use a foreign credit card because I am a OW ruby. He talked to his supervisor, and in the end I was connected to the supervisor directly, who processed the payment. I was requested to send the voucher to Liverpool within the next seven days. I thought I would need to send it Florida, but I was told it would be Liverpool because I am based in Europe. Now my reservation shows up as "on request" on AA. I spent more than an hour on the phone, but I was successful in the end.
Last edited by krzysz; Mar 13, 2018 at 7:43 pm Reason: adding more info
Mar 14, 2018, 4:25 am
#522
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
This is my experience with the physical voucher:
Based in CPH so no AA flies there. Got 5x $300 paper from AA. I called 1-800 number but the connection with Skype was horrible so I used the local number for Denmark. The call went straight through so it's great.
Got through to an agent with South African accent, anyway I booked my trip on the phone and she took all my details including the credit card and told me the address to send the vouchers to.
She gave me my PNR, and we sent in the vouchers and a week later we got our tickets.
Based in CPH so no AA flies there. Got 5x $300 paper from AA. I called 1-800 number but the connection with Skype was horrible so I used the local number for Denmark. The call went straight through so it's great.
Got through to an agent with South African accent, anyway I booked my trip on the phone and she took all my details including the credit card and told me the address to send the vouchers to.
She gave me my PNR, and we sent in the vouchers and a week later we got our tickets.
Mar 14, 2018, 2:50 pm
#523
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, United Silver
Posts: 173
Travel Voucher
I want to book travel however pay with a travel voucher i received from voluntering to move to a different flight. If i put a ticket on hold can I go to the airport and redeem the voucher or do i need to call and then mail it in?
Mar 14, 2018, 2:58 pm
#524
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Delta Diamond, HH Diamond, Avis PC, Bonvoy Plat, National EE
Posts: 163
Yes, you can go to the counter at the airport instead of mailing it in.
More info here: <redacted>
More info here: <redacted>
Last edited by JDiver; Mar 15, 2018 at 12:56 pm Reason: deleted recursive link to this thread
Mar 14, 2018, 10:32 pm
#525
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: LAS/DXB
Programs: LH HON
Posts: 1,193
So do I get this straight. In the year 2018 an airline company called American Airlines is sending out paper vouchers around the world (in my case Singapore), just to have the customer mail it BACK to the US for redemption? I can't even get my head around this.