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
Aug 28, 2019, 6:32 pm
#691
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,607
When he tries to book the flight himself there is no option to use the voucher
When I book the flight in my name the voucher shows as a form of payment but when I change the flight to his name that option to pay with a Voucher goes away.
Either I'm missing something or it appears the vouchers now have to be used by the person to whom they were issued
Aug 28, 2019, 6:50 pm
#692
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
When he tries to book the flight himself there is no option to use the voucher
When I book the flight in my name the voucher shows as a form of payment but when I change the flight to his name that option to pay with a Voucher goes away.
Either I'm missing something or it appears the vouchers now have to be used by the person to whom they were issued
When I book the flight in my name the voucher shows as a form of payment but when I change the flight to his name that option to pay with a Voucher goes away.
Either I'm missing something or it appears the vouchers now have to be used by the person to whom they were issued
Aug 28, 2019, 6:57 pm
#693
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,607
No, I'm giving it away so if it work it works, not wasting my time calling AA
I'll see if maybe he can call and use it but it seems to be tied to my account and last name as if I change the name to my wife's I can use the voucher for her.
I tried different browsers also
I'll see if maybe he can call and use it but it seems to be tied to my account and last name as if I change the name to my wife's I can use the voucher for her.
I tried different browsers also
Last edited by flyer4512; Aug 28, 2019 at 8:22 pm
Aug 29, 2019, 6:21 pm
#694
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,607
I found out what the issue was, he picked seats that had an upcharge so the voucher could not be used even though the flights alone cost more than what the voucher was worth.
He booked the flight picking free seats and the voucher worked online, thanks
Aug 29, 2019, 11:26 pm
#695
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 3,226
Is it impolite to jump onto someone else's thread? I hope not after the OP's question has now been answered. Thank you - this is useful to me too. On a related point, may I ask whether tickets partly paid with e-certs acquire miles like the original cash ticket and whether these can be used on codeshares but on 001 ticket stock. I also, I assume that if the e-cert is in USD and the ticket in a different currency, the system will do the currency conversion when booking?
Sep 23, 2019, 8:43 pm
#696
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BNA and FLL
Programs: National Executive Elite, IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Gold, SW A List, Marriott Gold
Posts: 964
Voucher question
I got a $650 voucher for a bump a few weeks ago. I am wondering if the voucher can only be applied to one pax on a reservation? Or if I make a reservation for two passengers then can I apply the $650 to the total purchase price of both tickets?
Sep 25, 2019, 10:38 am
#698
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: New Orleans, LA
Programs: AA Platinum, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 272
I used a DV paper voucher for a ticket from Canada to the US. I was charged all the taxes and fees including US taxes. American customer relations told me that taxes are not waived even when using vouchers. Who would I need to contact to get the taxes refunded?
Oct 2, 2019, 3:38 pm
#699
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, MR Titanium, MR LTP, AA EP, UA Silver
Posts: 743
Oct 2, 2019, 3:43 pm
#700
Join Date: May 2008
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, HH Diamond, MR Titanium, MR LTP, AA EP, UA Silver
Posts: 743
Recently used a DV voucher to purchase a domestic round trip ticket; voucher covered the full price.
Taxes were initially charged in full as the ticketing agent at DCA had no idea what I was talking about when I asked her to contact the rate desk to reprice without taxes.
I contacted AA refunds at https://prefunds.aa.com approximately five days after travel and received an e-mail a few days after:
“In regards to the tax exemptions applied in DV vouchers, your case does meet the criteria. Therefore, a voucher will be issued in the amount of $X”.
All taxes were refunded except the “Passenger Facility Surcharge” which was $15 of the ~$75 charged in taxes.
It would be easier to resolve this prior to ticketing but was relatively painless to remedy on the backend.
Taxes were initially charged in full as the ticketing agent at DCA had no idea what I was talking about when I asked her to contact the rate desk to reprice without taxes.
I contacted AA refunds at https://prefunds.aa.com approximately five days after travel and received an e-mail a few days after:
“In regards to the tax exemptions applied in DV vouchers, your case does meet the criteria. Therefore, a voucher will be issued in the amount of $X”.
All taxes were refunded except the “Passenger Facility Surcharge” which was $15 of the ~$75 charged in taxes.
It would be easier to resolve this prior to ticketing but was relatively painless to remedy on the backend.
Oct 17, 2019, 8:56 pm
#701
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Boston area, US
Programs: FB (platinum for life), AAdvantage (exec platinum), Aeroflot Bonus (gold)
Posts: 258
AA paper voucher: it's an insult!
Recently I had a fare adjustment from a ticket exchange and AA told me they would issue a voucher for $69.
A week later I received it in the mail (!). Paper voucher with a whole book of conditions stapled to it -- looks like a gift from the 90s.
The voucher states "cannot be used on aa.com". OK...
I tried to call the AA EXP service line to book a ticket and possibly use the voucher (it is stated on it that it can be used over the phone). To be honest, my itinerary constructed using ITA Matrix had the complexity level of about 8/10 -- a combination of 9 cheap business class flights from Europe to Hawaii and back with two stopovers in Boston on three different carriers (AY, BA, AA) priced as AA at about $2,550. So, I was not surprised that it took an agent 40min to construct something similar (with a bit less desirable and $50-60 more expensive HNL-BOS leg via LAX on A321 without a flatbed on a red-eye) and price it within $60 from the ITA (and priceline). Then she asked me for the credit card number, and then the most interesting part came. Apparently, to use this STUPID voucher, I need to either go to the American Airlines ticket office (the nearest one is in Boston Logan) and bring them the voucher, or to mail it to some obscured address in Florida, which they wanted to tell me over the phone and refused to e-mail. If mailed in, I would have to write my name and full itinerary near the return address on the envelope. Really? all 9 segments? Until the voucher has been received, the ticket will stay on hold.
I hung up the phone, looked again at the itinerary on the AA website, looked again at the voucher, then booked a slightly different and better itinerary for $60 cheaper with priceline using Matrix Powertools and pressed the "cancel trip" button on the web-site without any regret. Perhaps I will now frame this stupid voucher and hang it on the wall in my office as a monument to the AA's stupidity.
It looks like the whole system is set up in a way to prevent people from using these vouchers. If so, then what's the point of issuing them at all?
A week later I received it in the mail (!). Paper voucher with a whole book of conditions stapled to it -- looks like a gift from the 90s.
The voucher states "cannot be used on aa.com". OK...
I tried to call the AA EXP service line to book a ticket and possibly use the voucher (it is stated on it that it can be used over the phone). To be honest, my itinerary constructed using ITA Matrix had the complexity level of about 8/10 -- a combination of 9 cheap business class flights from Europe to Hawaii and back with two stopovers in Boston on three different carriers (AY, BA, AA) priced as AA at about $2,550. So, I was not surprised that it took an agent 40min to construct something similar (with a bit less desirable and $50-60 more expensive HNL-BOS leg via LAX on A321 without a flatbed on a red-eye) and price it within $60 from the ITA (and priceline). Then she asked me for the credit card number, and then the most interesting part came. Apparently, to use this STUPID voucher, I need to either go to the American Airlines ticket office (the nearest one is in Boston Logan) and bring them the voucher, or to mail it to some obscured address in Florida, which they wanted to tell me over the phone and refused to e-mail. If mailed in, I would have to write my name and full itinerary near the return address on the envelope. Really? all 9 segments? Until the voucher has been received, the ticket will stay on hold.
I hung up the phone, looked again at the itinerary on the AA website, looked again at the voucher, then booked a slightly different and better itinerary for $60 cheaper with priceline using Matrix Powertools and pressed the "cancel trip" button on the web-site without any regret. Perhaps I will now frame this stupid voucher and hang it on the wall in my office as a monument to the AA's stupidity.
It looks like the whole system is set up in a way to prevent people from using these vouchers. If so, then what's the point of issuing them at all?
Oct 17, 2019, 9:02 pm
#702
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Breakage. It's good for AA, age least in the short run, and bad for customers.
Oct 17, 2019, 9:06 pm
#703
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Hope you feel better after that rant.
It's cumbersome, archaic process, yes. But it works. "Insult" is a bit much.
You might want to look at this thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html
---------------
As for this
So you're going to throw the voucher away? Are you really not going to book a more simple trip at some point in the year-long validity period of the voucher? If not AA is perfectly happy with you not using it.
It's cumbersome, archaic process, yes. But it works. "Insult" is a bit much.
You might want to look at this thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html
---------------
As for this
I hung up the phone, looked again at the itinerary on the AA website, looked again at the voucher, then booked a slightly different and better itinerary for $60 cheaper with priceline using Matrix Powertools and pressed the "cancel trip" button on the web-site without any regret. Perhaps I will now frame this stupid voucher and hang it on the wall in my office as a monument to the AA's stupidity.
Oct 17, 2019, 9:10 pm
#704
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,202
yes- that is the system. yes- it is from the 90's or maybe 80's. And yes- the web site, GF, and ITA sometimes show (more often on AA multi-city) fares which are not available.
Worse part is there is no reason they cannot do refunds as gift cards which can easily be used on line and never expire.
Worse part is there is no reason they cannot do refunds as gift cards which can easily be used on line and never expire.
Oct 17, 2019, 9:35 pm
#705
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,605
Outiside the US, non refundable normally seems to mean just that and no vouchers or similar would be provided - this seems a lot less 'insulting'