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
May 24, 2019, 11:23 am
#646
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AAdvantage Lifetime Gold/Some Years Platinum
Posts: 995
Tl;dr: When redeeming paper vouchers at the airport with multiple travelers, either specifically request that the voucher be spread across ALL tickets, or split the PNR to spin off any full-price travelers.
—-
Giving credit where credit is due - a successful paper voucher redemption at DFW today.
I went to the Priority counter at Terminal D, and the AAgent already knew what I was looking for as I walked up with my paperwork in hand. He even backed out the taxes appropriately. Even with someone who clearly knew exactly what to do, it still took close to 10 minutes.
One thing that did crop up, though, and took a call from me to the Platinum number to resolve. The reservation was for 3 seats, and the voucher covered only part of 1 ticket. The desk agent applied the voucher to one ticket, and left the others at full price. He then said that I could either 1) pay a 2x$35/ticket fee to process the other two tickets’ payments in-person, or 2) pay him just for the reduced ticket (no fee), and pay for the other two tix online.
Obviously, I selected option 2, paid for my one ticket, and wandered over to a nearby seat to finish the deal. The issue that came up was that, upon pulling up the PNR, there was no longer an option to pay for the unpaid tickets. Both on the app and on aa.com, the PNR came up as “ticketed”, even though only 1 of the 3 tickets were paid for. Even when I switched logins to another passenger, no dice. I completely understand that this is a rare, rare situation, so it’s not surprising that the app can’t deal with it. But I would have thought aa.com would have correctly reflected the situation.
I called up the Platinum line and explained the problem. The phone agent first noted that the voucher could have been divided among all tickets to avoid the $35 fee, and was about to send me to hold purgatory to do just that when I suggested splitting the PNR. That easily solved the problem, as the agent then took my payment over the phone (without any additional fee) for the remaining two tix.
—-
Giving credit where credit is due - a successful paper voucher redemption at DFW today.
I went to the Priority counter at Terminal D, and the AAgent already knew what I was looking for as I walked up with my paperwork in hand. He even backed out the taxes appropriately. Even with someone who clearly knew exactly what to do, it still took close to 10 minutes.
One thing that did crop up, though, and took a call from me to the Platinum number to resolve. The reservation was for 3 seats, and the voucher covered only part of 1 ticket. The desk agent applied the voucher to one ticket, and left the others at full price. He then said that I could either 1) pay a 2x$35/ticket fee to process the other two tickets’ payments in-person, or 2) pay him just for the reduced ticket (no fee), and pay for the other two tix online.
Obviously, I selected option 2, paid for my one ticket, and wandered over to a nearby seat to finish the deal. The issue that came up was that, upon pulling up the PNR, there was no longer an option to pay for the unpaid tickets. Both on the app and on aa.com, the PNR came up as “ticketed”, even though only 1 of the 3 tickets were paid for. Even when I switched logins to another passenger, no dice. I completely understand that this is a rare, rare situation, so it’s not surprising that the app can’t deal with it. But I would have thought aa.com would have correctly reflected the situation.
I called up the Platinum line and explained the problem. The phone agent first noted that the voucher could have been divided among all tickets to avoid the $35 fee, and was about to send me to hold purgatory to do just that when I suggested splitting the PNR. That easily solved the problem, as the agent then took my payment over the phone (without any additional fee) for the remaining two tix.
May 24, 2019, 1:02 pm
#648
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AAdvantage Lifetime Gold/Some Years Platinum
Posts: 995
Good point. In this case (additional pax also Gold and Plat, respectively), it isn’t an issue. But it could be for others in a similar situation.
Jun 12, 2019, 11:03 pm
#649
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 1
Booked a flight for 2 people from Orlando to Munich, Germany. Flight price was $316.33 per person, with that breakdown being $30 fare and $286.33 in taxes and carrier-imposed fees per person. Today I took my voucher of $1000 to the airport (was already there for work) and paid, they never adjusted the taxes/fees. I get home and check my flight, it says "Ticketed" and the cost summary is now $60 fare, $19.86 taxes, and $0.00 in carrier imposed fees, or $79.86. So based off the FAQ, should I have been charged $79.86 if the person at the gate adjusted the taxes correctly? If so, do I have any recourse of getting the difference of $552.80 back? Thanks!
EDIT: Called them and they said they would issue a new voucher with some of the fees returned ($97.20) so not too terrible. They had no comment on why the cost summary said $79.86 and to contact Customer Relations if I needed a receipt for work reimbursement. Also, now my trip status is back to "Ticket Pending" like when waiting for the voucher...this could be troublesome. Oh and the cost summary disappeared, but I saved the page showing $79.86, though it probably won't matter.
EDIT: Called them and they said they would issue a new voucher with some of the fees returned ($97.20) so not too terrible. They had no comment on why the cost summary said $79.86 and to contact Customer Relations if I needed a receipt for work reimbursement. Also, now my trip status is back to "Ticket Pending" like when waiting for the voucher...this could be troublesome. Oh and the cost summary disappeared, but I saved the page showing $79.86, though it probably won't matter.
Last edited by Matermine; Jun 13, 2019 at 12:22 am
Jun 18, 2019, 6:36 pm
#650
Join Date: May 2019
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP 6MM Marriott Titanium
Posts: 7
Voucher question
I have an unused ticket voucher for about $850 that was booked 6/27/18 so I know I have to start travel by 6/27/19. Any suggestions on best way to use given I don’t need to travel between now and then? Thanks.
Jun 19, 2019, 5:58 am
#651
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
On vouchers would the OP need to travel by 6/27/19 or book a flight by then? The voucher is only good for travel.
Jun 19, 2019, 10:27 am
#654
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
It may be that the voucher must reach AA by 6/27. In that case the OP would need to book a flight, put it on hold, and either go to the airport and ticket or tell AA he intends to send it overnight.
Jun 19, 2019, 10:35 am
#655
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
If you book a ticket and use the voucher, then decide you don't need to travel (within 24 hours, if booked 2+ days out), they will refund the ticket. The refund will go back to the original form of payment. Vouchers get mailed to you in the form of a new voucher that's valid for another year from the refund date.
Or: if you book a cheap ticket using the voucher, any residual value on the voucher will be in the form of a new voucher, that's also valid for 1 year from when the residual voucher was printed.
Or: if you book a cheap ticket using the voucher, any residual value on the voucher will be in the form of a new voucher, that's also valid for 1 year from when the residual voucher was printed.
Jun 19, 2019, 10:45 am
#656
Join Date: May 2019
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP 6MM Marriott Titanium
Posts: 7
I misspoke. It’s an unused ticket with a value of $850 so it’s not a voucher. I called AA and gave them the ticket number and they said it had to be used for travel within one year of ticket date. I always thought I could use it to book and ticket by that date but for future travel
Jun 19, 2019, 11:50 am
#657
Moderator: Avis and Rental Cars
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,032
I misspoke. It’s an unused ticket with a value of $850 so it’s not a voucher. I called AA and gave them the ticket number and they said it had to be used for travel within one year of ticket date. I always thought I could use it to book and ticket by that date but for future travel
Jun 19, 2019, 7:22 pm
#659
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,605
E Voucher Question
I received a E voucher as part of some delays last week at HVN
Do I have to redeem the voucher by the expiration date or does travel have to be completed by that date ?
Thanks
EDIT..........I posted this question as a new thread, I see it was moved over here. I read some posts and I THINK I just have to book the ticket by the expiration date but can travel after the expiration date, is this correct ? Thanks
Do I have to redeem the voucher by the expiration date or does travel have to be completed by that date ?
Thanks
EDIT..........I posted this question as a new thread, I see it was moved over here. I read some posts and I THINK I just have to book the ticket by the expiration date but can travel after the expiration date, is this correct ? Thanks
Last edited by flyer4512; Jun 20, 2019 at 5:24 pm
Jun 21, 2019, 11:25 am
#660
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 28
When you mail in the voucher, does the reservation initially get charged to a credit card, and then credit is issued to the card later?