Oct 28, 2015, 12:22 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
AA schedule changes - free flight change / cancellation / refund
The latest change policy may be read here (Thanks to MRP Alert for resource link.)
The above link appears to be broken. The latest change policy, as of June 13, 2023, can be found here.
As of March 2022:
NOTE: The Detailed Fare Rules for your ticket(s) details refundability, etc. You can read (and print to PDF, etc.) before you purchase. Regardless of fare title (Refundable, Flexible, etc.) you should read these prior to purchase.
Older posts may be read here.
The latest change policy may be read here (Thanks to MRP Alert for resource link.)
The above link appears to be broken. The latest change policy, as of June 13, 2023, can be found here.
As of March 2022:
- Limited changes allowed if schedule change is 60 minutes or less.
- More flexibility if schedule change is 61 minutes or more.
- Refunds on non-refundable fares typically require a schedule change of 241 minutes or more.
NOTE: The Detailed Fare Rules for your ticket(s) details refundability, etc. You can read (and print to PDF, etc.) before you purchase. Regardless of fare title (Refundable, Flexible, etc.) you should read these prior to purchase.
beachfan has shared:
I believe if it's an equipment swap, to a less desirable plane (I.e, 777 to 738) then yes, full refund, otherwise it's 120 minutes. One Mile at a Time blog covered this and referred to the contract of carriage (or whatever the linked document is called; it's titled general rules).
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...irplane-change
International Tariff (March 2023)
International General Rules
I believe if it's an equipment swap, to a less desirable plane (I.e, 777 to 738) then yes, full refund, otherwise it's 120 minutes. One Mile at a Time blog covered this and referred to the contract of carriage (or whatever the linked document is called; it's titled general rules).
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...irplane-change
International Tariff (March 2023)
International General Rules
Code:
SCHEDULE CHANGE IN THE EVENT, AFTER TICKET ISSUANCE, SCHEDULE CHANGES ARE MADE BY AA THAT: (I) AFFECT A PASSENGER'S DEPARTURE AND/OR ARRIVAL BY 2 OR MORE HOURS; (II) RESULT IN THE ADDITION OF AN INTERMEDIATE STOP ON THE PASSENGER'S ITINERARY; (III) RESULT IN A SUBSTITUTION OF EQUIPMENT NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE PASSENGER; OR (IV) IF A CANCELLATION OR A CHANGE IN EITHER AIR OR TOUR ITINERARY IS INITIATED EITHER BY AA OR IT'S TOUR OPERATORS WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE TO THE PASSENGER, THE PASSENGER WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF CANCELLING WITHOUT PENALTY, OR REROUTING ON DIFFERENT FLIGHTS TO/FROM THE SAME OR DIFFERENT DESTINATION. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER MUST PAY ANY ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS RESULTING FROM THE REROUTING.
AA schedule changes - flight change / cancellation / refund policy (consolidated)
Nov 18, 2020, 8:09 am
#976
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,948
Cancelled flight for 2021 and not yet automatically rebooked - date change allowed?
I have an AA ticket that contains a CX segment (ORD-HKG) that's been cancelled. The ticket was issued in March 2020 for travel in Jan 2021.
Ideally I'd like to reschedule to travel in July 2021 (in the hope that COVID restrictions have relaxed and travel becomes a bit more normal/predictable). I figure AA will likely try to rebook me on ORD-DFW-HKG once they take a look at the ticket with the now missing segment.
Do I have a shot at getting them to rebook for a date that's past the 1yr ticket validity?
Ideally I'd like to reschedule to travel in July 2021 (in the hope that COVID restrictions have relaxed and travel becomes a bit more normal/predictable). I figure AA will likely try to rebook me on ORD-DFW-HKG once they take a look at the ticket with the now missing segment.
Do I have a shot at getting them to rebook for a date that's past the 1yr ticket validity?
Nov 18, 2020, 8:13 am
#977
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
I have an AA ticket that contains a CX segment (ORD-HKG) that's been cancelled. The ticket was issued in March 2020 for travel in Jan 2021.
Ideally I'd like to reschedule to travel in July 2021 (in the hope that COVID restrictions have relaxed and travel becomes a bit more normal/predictable). I figure AA will likely try to rebook me on ORD-DFW-HKG once they take a look at the ticket with the now missing segment.
Do I have a shot at getting them to rebook for a date that's past the 1yr ticket validity?
Ideally I'd like to reschedule to travel in July 2021 (in the hope that COVID restrictions have relaxed and travel becomes a bit more normal/predictable). I figure AA will likely try to rebook me on ORD-DFW-HKG once they take a look at the ticket with the now missing segment.
Do I have a shot at getting them to rebook for a date that's past the 1yr ticket validity?
Nov 18, 2020, 8:15 am
#978
Join Date: Sep 2020
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,948
There's a pretty significant fare difference ($2-3k) which I'm trying to avoid if at all possible.
Nov 18, 2020, 8:19 am
#979
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
A date change would be considered voluntary so you would still need to pay the fare difference even if you use the same ticket.
This was told by multiple AA agents to me when I was trying to change an AA international ticket on behalf of someone else.
Nov 18, 2020, 9:05 am
#980
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MSP/BUF/BNA/LFT
Programs: AA Plat, Priority Club Gold, Choice Privileges Gold
Posts: 1,225
I have an AA ticket that contains a CX segment (ORD-HKG) that's been cancelled. The ticket was issued in March 2020 for travel in Jan 2021.
Ideally I'd like to reschedule to travel in July 2021 (in the hope that COVID restrictions have relaxed and travel becomes a bit more normal/predictable). I figure AA will likely try to rebook me on ORD-DFW-HKG once they take a look at the ticket with the now missing segment.
Do I have a shot at getting them to rebook for a date that's past the 1yr ticket validity?
Ideally I'd like to reschedule to travel in July 2021 (in the hope that COVID restrictions have relaxed and travel becomes a bit more normal/predictable). I figure AA will likely try to rebook me on ORD-DFW-HKG once they take a look at the ticket with the now missing segment.
Do I have a shot at getting them to rebook for a date that's past the 1yr ticket validity?
If your flight was cancelled, just request a refund and book a new ticket for Jul of 2021 when you are ready. There is no reason to let AA keep your cash.
Nov 18, 2020, 9:13 am
#981
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Nov 18, 2020, 4:59 pm
#982
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 205
So what exactly does it mean for a flight to change by 61 minutes or more?
We were scheduled to cruise out of Miami in January and booked our flights back in March. We cancelled the cruise a couple of months ago, and I've been hoping for a schedule change or cancellation of the flight so I can get a refund. I received an email that the flight had changed from a 7:40am departure to an 8:45am departure. Aha! sez I. However, the arrival time at MIA has changed from 3:55pm to 4:38pm, so short of the 61 minutes (aircraft change from A321 to 772). Is that eligible for a refund, given that the actual overall difference is less than an hour? I'm fine with waiting until the bitter end to cancel but would just as soon get a refund now if it's eligible. Thanks for any insight.
We were scheduled to cruise out of Miami in January and booked our flights back in March. We cancelled the cruise a couple of months ago, and I've been hoping for a schedule change or cancellation of the flight so I can get a refund. I received an email that the flight had changed from a 7:40am departure to an 8:45am departure. Aha! sez I. However, the arrival time at MIA has changed from 3:55pm to 4:38pm, so short of the 61 minutes (aircraft change from A321 to 772). Is that eligible for a refund, given that the actual overall difference is less than an hour? I'm fine with waiting until the bitter end to cancel but would just as soon get a refund now if it's eligible. Thanks for any insight.
Nov 18, 2020, 10:46 pm
#983
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
So what exactly does it mean for a flight to change by 61 minutes or more?
We were scheduled to cruise out of Miami in January and booked our flights back in March. We cancelled the cruise a couple of months ago, and I've been hoping for a schedule change or cancellation of the flight so I can get a refund. I received an email that the flight had changed from a 7:40am departure to an 8:45am departure. Aha! sez I. However, the arrival time at MIA has changed from 3:55pm to 4:38pm, so short of the 61 minutes (aircraft change from A321 to 772). Is that eligible for a refund, given that the actual overall difference is less than an hour? I'm fine with waiting until the bitter end to cancel but would just as soon get a refund now if it's eligible. Thanks for any insight.
We were scheduled to cruise out of Miami in January and booked our flights back in March. We cancelled the cruise a couple of months ago, and I've been hoping for a schedule change or cancellation of the flight so I can get a refund. I received an email that the flight had changed from a 7:40am departure to an 8:45am departure. Aha! sez I. However, the arrival time at MIA has changed from 3:55pm to 4:38pm, so short of the 61 minutes (aircraft change from A321 to 772). Is that eligible for a refund, given that the actual overall difference is less than an hour? I'm fine with waiting until the bitter end to cancel but would just as soon get a refund now if it's eligible. Thanks for any insight.
If your flight was only delayed, the post-COVID limit for cancellation a schedule change is an interruption of longer than 4 hours so no chance for a refund other than a voucher.
Nov 19, 2020, 12:33 pm
#984
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: San Diego
Programs: Plat Pro AAdvantage, but defected to BAEC
Posts: 1,222
Did the flight number change? If so, you are rebooked to another flight where you are entitled to a full refund according to US DoT regulations.
If your flight was only delayed, the post-COVID limit for cancellation a schedule change is an interruption of longer than 4 hours so no chance for a refund other than a voucher.
If your flight was only delayed, the post-COVID limit for cancellation a schedule change is an interruption of longer than 4 hours so no chance for a refund other than a voucher.
Nov 19, 2020, 1:47 pm
#985
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 205
Did the flight number change? If so, you are rebooked to another flight where you are entitled to a full refund according to US DoT regulations.
If your flight was only delayed, the post-COVID limit for cancellation a schedule change is an interruption of longer than 4 hours so no chance for a refund other than a voucher.
If your flight was only delayed, the post-COVID limit for cancellation a schedule change is an interruption of longer than 4 hours so no chance for a refund other than a voucher.
Nov 20, 2020, 11:12 pm
#986
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 69
With the latest change to AA policy waiving change fees for long haul international flights:
If I book a new flight this November for August 2021 and need to make a change, when does the credit need to be used by? Is it 12/31/21?
If I book a new flight this November for August 2021 and need to make a change, when does the credit need to be used by? Is it 12/31/21?
Nov 21, 2020, 7:31 pm
#987
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,949
The credit will be valid for one year past the date of issue.
Nov 22, 2020, 10:06 am
#989
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,843