Consumers want to fully enjoy the benefits of paying for a service. American Airlines have therefore created a policy that provides for this – refund. Let’s read more about it.
American Airlines Refund
This is to ensure that every consumer can cancel their reservations, receive a full refund and enjoy available benefits in line with their terms and conditions.
American Airlines Refund Policy is unique to it, yet similar, in some respect, to some other Airline’s refund policies. American Airlines provide for the consumers to buy either refundable or non-refundable flight tickets and your type of ticket will determine whether you would have access to a refund.
You can cancel your ticket within 24 hours of booking and at least two days before departure.
You will get a full refund automatically, and you will get it in your original form of payment, except for basic economy tickets. Once a Basic economy is booked, it can neither be changed nor the value of the ticket refunded.
If you buy a non-refundable ticket and cancel, you will not receive a refund but can change or cancel your flight without a fee. Rather, you will receive a travel credit. Travel credit is the conversion of the money paid for a cancelled or disrupted flight to a credit for future travel, instead of initiating a refund.
It is usually held with the airline, not the consumer. Also, if you buy a ticket lesser than your earlier cancelled flight with your travel credit, the balance is kept for you to use on a future flight, in a travel voucher.
A refundable ticket, on the other hand, allows a consumer to get the full refund of the flight ticket paid, at any time it is requested. We will get into details of the various classes of tickets, but for now,
The Steps to getting a Refund are stated below:
Step 1: Go to the American Airlines Website
Step 2: Enter the Passenger’s last name and ticket number under the Request for Refund Tab.
Step 3: Click continue twice after reviewing all the information you put in and under Refund Eligibility information
Step 4: Enter your contact information
Step 5: Review your details again, select a reason to refund, input your reasons, and upload supporting documents (if need be)
Step 6: Click ‘Submit’
Step 7: You will get a confirmation number, and you can save it for future reference.
Refundable Tickets:
Concerning refunds, you can cancel a refundable ticket, and receive a full refund automatically if you cancel your booking within 24 hours of purchase and 48 hours before the flight’s departure, like the non-refundable ticket.
One extra perk of the refundable ticket over the non-refundable ticket is that you will be fully refunded, at any time, if you choose to cancel your flight. You will also get your refund in the original payment method, not as travel credits or travel vouchers.
Non-Refundable Tickets:
Refund for non-refundable tickets is allowed automatically if you cancel your booking within 24 hours of ticket purchase or 48 hours before the flight’s departure.
Also, when changing your non-refundable ticket to a flight ticket which is lesser than the one you initially bought, you will not be given a refund. Rather, you’d receive a travel voucher for the difference.
Notwithstanding the above stated, you could apply for a refund after 24 hours of purchase if you experienced the death of a travelling companion or on military orders.
Basic Economy:
Concerning refund, it is non-changeable and non-refundable for some flights, while for others outside North and South America, the no charge fee applies.
Have there been recent changes to American Airlines Refund Policy?
Yes. Recently, because of the pandemic, American Airlines have removed all fees for cancellation or change of flight tickets issued on or after August 31st, 2020.
How can I get further information about American Airlines Refund?
You can check their website – www.aa.com, or call the numbers on their website, depending on the language of your choice.
Conclusion
Whenever you want to buy a ticket, it is advisable to buy flight tickets concerning the circumstances of your travel, and the money available to you.
The reason is that that determines whether you will get a refund or not. American Airlines, like other airlines, has made provisions for refund, it is now left for consumers to make choices best suited to them. Refunds are part of our life and living and should be well maximized if given the opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are refunds offered only on specific days?
Refunds are offered every day, or as provided for by the Airline. The criterion for refunds depends on the type of tickets bought.
- Can I make specific requests regarding a refund?
American Airlines is consumer-friendly, and so accommodates questions, comments and inquiries from consumers. Therefore, you can make your requests. Be informed nonetheless that the policy on refunds is already well stated and clear.
- Can I transfer my American Airlines travel credit/voucher, after the refund, to another airline?
American Airlines does not have a provision for that. The travel credit/voucher is to be used only, to purchase American Airline tickets.
