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
Jan 24, 2019, 10:39 am
#601
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHI
Posts: 501
Question about seating - when the fare is held on AA.com, and then 'booked' by the CSR phone rep, does one get to choose seats? I am flying with family and need seats together, which will not be possible at the actual ticket booking 1-2 weeks out. Best to go to ORD and try to get an agent to ticket, or to mail in? Flying in April.
Jan 24, 2019, 10:46 am
#602
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,250
Question about seating - when the fare is held on AA.com, and then 'booked' by the CSR phone rep, does one get to choose seats? I am flying with family and need seats together, which will not be possible at the actual ticket booking 1-2 weeks out. Best to go to ORD and try to get an agent to ticket, or to mail in? Flying in April.
Jan 25, 2019, 7:54 am
#603
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
Programs: Ex-BA/AA/CP/LY staff, BA Executive Club Blue, IHG Diamond, Marriott Silver, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 3,588
Since the original vouchers would now be long past their original expiry date, will the expiry dates be extended?
Jan 31, 2019, 5:40 pm
#604
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hyatt Glb, MR Plat
Posts: 2,577
However, this does bring me to ask a related question as I have a voucher expiring this fall and no plans to use it.... Can or should I just use it to book a fully refundable ticket, wait a few days, and then get a refund to get a reset on the expiration clock? Any down sides to doing that?
Feb 2, 2019, 11:03 am
#605
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
For what you are asking (the original poster's hypothesis 6 months ago), I have booked fully refundable place holder ticket with voucher from canceled ticket and then "rolled" it the next year by way of canceling the place holder fully refundable before the travel date, and get back a new voucher with 12 months expiration from the date of issue. Of course you can cancel the newly booked refundable anytime but you dont have to, unless you have the need to use the value. Just make sure you cancel it before the travel date to retain the value. Else you may lose it IIRC AA has changed the rule to say now tickets will lose value if not canceled before the travel date, refundable or not.
Also make sure you read the fare rules to make sure the ticket is INDEED FULLY REFUNDABLE. Some fares have a ton of travel dates restriction but as long as you avoid booking into those dates, the fully refundable feature stays. My current one with a June travel date is like that. AAgent checked and then confirmed what I understood - the date I booked into, is not subject to those restrictions.
I do this annual exercise to slowly use up a large amount of canceled ticket value at one of the only two AA ticketing offices in South Florida. I suspect this is easier to do at the office than at the airport counters because the office staff do not need to work under pressure.
Also make sure you read the fare rules to make sure the ticket is INDEED FULLY REFUNDABLE. Some fares have a ton of travel dates restriction but as long as you avoid booking into those dates, the fully refundable feature stays. My current one with a June travel date is like that. AAgent checked and then confirmed what I understood - the date I booked into, is not subject to those restrictions.
I do this annual exercise to slowly use up a large amount of canceled ticket value at one of the only two AA ticketing offices in South Florida. I suspect this is easier to do at the office than at the airport counters because the office staff do not need to work under pressure.
Last edited by Happy; Feb 2, 2019 at 11:10 am
Feb 2, 2019, 1:01 pm
#606
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Hyatt Glb, MR Plat
Posts: 2,577
For what you are asking (the original poster's hypothesis 6 months ago), I have booked fully refundable place holder ticket with voucher from canceled ticket and then "rolled" it the next year by way of canceling the place holder fully refundable before the travel date, and get back a new voucher with 12 months expiration from the date of issue. Of course you can cancel the newly booked refundable anytime but you dont have to, unless you have the need to use the value. Just make sure you cancel it before the travel date to retain the value. Else you may lose it IIRC AA has changed the rule to say now tickets will lose value if not canceled before the travel date, refundable or not.
Also make sure you read the fare rules to make sure the ticket is INDEED FULLY REFUNDABLE. Some fares have a ton of travel dates restriction but as long as you avoid booking into those dates, the fully refundable feature stays. My current one with a June travel date is like that. AAgent checked and then confirmed what I understood - the date I booked into, is not subject to those restrictions.
I do this annual exercise to slowly use up a large amount of canceled ticket value at one of the only two AA ticketing offices in South Florida. I suspect this is easier to do at the office than at the airport counters because the office staff do not need to work under pressure.
Also make sure you read the fare rules to make sure the ticket is INDEED FULLY REFUNDABLE. Some fares have a ton of travel dates restriction but as long as you avoid booking into those dates, the fully refundable feature stays. My current one with a June travel date is like that. AAgent checked and then confirmed what I understood - the date I booked into, is not subject to those restrictions.
I do this annual exercise to slowly use up a large amount of canceled ticket value at one of the only two AA ticketing offices in South Florida. I suspect this is easier to do at the office than at the airport counters because the office staff do not need to work under pressure.
Feb 2, 2019, 3:28 pm
#607
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
No idea how the process would go when you have to request a refund online.
Feb 4, 2019, 10:04 am
#608
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 606
I booked a flight with my $800 paper voucher and after receiving my voucher in FL, AA ticketed the itinerary. After hearing nothing from them about the remaining value on the voucher (it's over $600)- I called them to learn that they won't mail paper vouchers as it was in the past and they'll issue me an eVoucher instead. Have been waiting for my eVoucher over promised 72 hours so far.
Something must be broken with that switch from paper vouchers to eVouchers
Something must be broken with that switch from paper vouchers to eVouchers
Feb 7, 2019, 1:23 pm
#609
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: CHI
Posts: 501
I booked a flight with my $800 paper voucher and after receiving my voucher in FL, AA ticketed the itinerary. After hearing nothing from them about the remaining value on the voucher (it's over $600)- I called them to learn that they won't mail paper vouchers as it was in the past and they'll issue me an eVoucher instead. Have been waiting for my eVoucher over promised 72 hours so far.
Something must be broken with that switch from paper vouchers to eVouchers
Something must be broken with that switch from paper vouchers to eVouchers
Feb 12, 2019, 11:47 am
#610
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
Yes, you won't have a problem with it. I scored 4 vouchers for $800 each back in July when myself and 3 others in my family took a bump for a hefty pay day. I processed a couple of them a few months ago for a trip my wife and I are taking. I gave when one with my kid's name on it, and they didn't blink.
I'd highly recommend going to the airport. What I've done is put an itinerary on hold on the AA site, and then I'll go to the airport with the vouchers and the locator code and they'll do the processing.
I'd highly recommend going to the airport. What I've done is put an itinerary on hold on the AA site, and then I'll go to the airport with the vouchers and the locator code and they'll do the processing.
Feb 13, 2019, 9:20 am
#611
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,133
Hmmm...one of the flights I want to book is on AY operated by AA, so website says I cannot hold but must purchase. Would the agent at the local office be able to book that flight that way without me putting it on hold ($2K per person cheaper than all AA flight numbers)?
Feb 18, 2019, 8:56 am
#612
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
Not to my knowledge. As far as I know you have to book on an AA coded leg, but I'm not sure. Probably worth giving reservations a call and seeing what your options are.
Feb 20, 2019, 8:34 am
#613
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 56
AA Voucher Applicability Inquiry
Hello AA FT!
I have a voucher from voluntarily taking a bump to a later flight. The voucher the states that is valid only on American Airlines/American Connection/American Eagle. Does that mean I cannot use the voucher on itineraries such as JFK-LHR-MAD with the LHR-MAD leg on IB but with an AA flight number?
Thanks!
I have a voucher from voluntarily taking a bump to a later flight. The voucher the states that is valid only on American Airlines/American Connection/American Eagle. Does that mean I cannot use the voucher on itineraries such as JFK-LHR-MAD with the LHR-MAD leg on IB but with an AA flight number?
Thanks!
Feb 20, 2019, 8:40 am
#614
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CUR
Posts: 2,170
Hello AA FT!
I have a voucher from voluntarily taking a bump to a later flight. The voucher the states that is valid only on American Airlines/American Connection/American Eagle. Does that mean I cannot use the voucher on itineraries such as JFK-LHR-MAD with the LHR-MAD leg on IB but with an AA flight number?
Thanks!
I have a voucher from voluntarily taking a bump to a later flight. The voucher the states that is valid only on American Airlines/American Connection/American Eagle. Does that mean I cannot use the voucher on itineraries such as JFK-LHR-MAD with the LHR-MAD leg on IB but with an AA flight number?
Thanks!