Many airlines began making significant adjustments to their formerly strict cancellation rules during the COVID-19 epidemic. It's nice to keep the money you paid; however, if you don't fully comprehend flight credit and voucher procedures, it's possible to end up with money you don't need.
You can use up to eight travel vouchers or one flight/travel credit on aa.com, but we recommend calling customer service first. You'll be able to ask all of your questions, as well as spend any remaining American Airlines ecredit (if any) and the credit's expiration date, in this manner.
The most crucial piece of advice I can give you before we begin is to document, document, document! Every email you receive from American Airlines should be saved. While you're on the phone with Customer Service, take notes. If you plan to get anything via mail or email, set a calendar reminder to check in ten business days if you haven't received it.
Prepare a spreadsheet with the following information before you begin redeeming:
Add the following information to your spreadsheet when you redeem credits for new flights:
Let's go through a few crucial terms.
When you buy a ticket, you'll receive an email confirmation with a six-character record locator (confirmation number). Each passenger's 13-digit ticket number (starting with '001') is also included in the email. This number may go unnoticed at first because it isn't required for routine travel, but it is critical for tracking your flight credits.
Your name, AAdvantage loyalty account, or even your six-character record location are usually not enough for Customer Service Agents to dig up credits. The only way to ensure that they will be able to locate your credit is to have the ticket number.
Flight credits, travel vouchers, and trip credits are the three forms of 'credits' that American Airlines employees receive for travel funds arising from canceled flights.
When you cancel a flight, you'll be given a credit for the amount you spent. When redeeming a flight credit, you can only plan travel for the original booked passenger.
A flight credit is always associated with your original 13-digit ticket number, which you must provide to the Customer Service Agent in order to claim the credit. You may be able to offer the Agent your six-character record location instead of the ticket number if you're lucky, but don't bank on it. Your AAdvantage loyalty account may or may not show flight credits (they showed up in my account for only about half of the flights I canceled).
For any remaining flight credit after the first redemption (provided the flight you re-booked didn't cost as much as your original ticket), travel vouchers were previously issued. Passengers were also compensated with vouchers for things like giving up their seat on an overbooked aircraft.
While this procedure has recently changed, you may still be able to redeem a valid paper voucher (sent to you) or an electronic "e-voucher" (emailed to you).
Vouchers are similar to gift cards that have an expiration date. You can use them to make travel arrangements for anyone. Travel coupons should be treated like currency because they cannot be redeemed or replaced. They don't have a record locator, a ticket number, or a passenger name attached to them. You'll provide the Agent the travel coupon number to redeem (and the PIN, for e-vouchers only).
The terms "flight credits" and "travel credits" are not interchangeable (couldn't they have come up with a better name?!). Trip credits are similar to travel vouchers, whereas flight credits represent the initial value of your canceled journey (see above).
Instead of a travel voucher, you now get a trip credit for giving up your spot on an overbooked aircraft. Similarly, if you have any residual travel money after using up a portion of your initial flight credit, you'll get a trip credit for the difference.
You'll provide the Agent the trip credit number from your email to redeem (and be aware there may be multiple trip credit numbers if you originally purchased upgrades or add-ons like preferred seating or checked bags). Anyone can use trip credits to purchase trips.
On aa.com, you can redeem up to eight travel e-vouchers or a single flight/trip credit, but I recommend phoning Customer Service instead (800-433-7300). This way, you'll be able to ask all of your inquiries, understand how much credit you'll have leftover (if any), and when the remaining credits will expire.
Before calling, go to aa.com and search for the flights you want to purchase with your credits or coupons. Make a mental note of the date, time, flight number, and cost. Follow the procedures on the website as if you were booking a ticket (you'll need to enter your traveler information but not your payment information). This brings up the seat selection map, which you may use to tell the Agent the seat you want.
Call as early as possible in the morning to avoid long wait times (use American's call-back service). Keep your phone on you at all times; you don't want to miss the call and have to start the virtual queue all over again. You could be on the phone with the Agent for over an hour if you are booking numerous tickets or have various credits/vouchers to use.
Let the agent know the flights you want to book and that you have a credit or voucher to use. For a flight credit, you'll need to provide your ticket number, voucher number (and PIN if you received the voucher via email), or trip credit number.
Throughout the re-booking process, refer to your notes (and take more notes during the call, too). Make sure you know how much your credit is worth and how much your new ticket will cost. If you intend to have money left over, ask as many questions as you need to.
Once you've booked your tickets, you'll need to mail in your paper/hard copy travel voucher. The Agent will assist you through the process, including where to send it and what to put in the package. Before placing the voucher in the mailbox, take a picture of it (front and back). To ensure that the envelope does not get lost in the mail, employ mail tracking services.
Remember that writing everything down, even if you think it's unimportant, is the best thing you can do. Keep track of your ticket numbers and the value of credits/vouchers by saving emails, taking notes during phone calls, and keeping track of your ticket numbers and the value of credits/vouchers.
It can feel like you're playing a game with no one explaining the rules while redeeming American flight points. Simply keep track of your tickets and credits and continue to ask questions until you are pleased with your comprehension.
Good luck, and happy travels!
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