American Airlines Cancellation and Refund Policy

Cancellation can be an unavoidable part of travel plans. American Airlines offers a well-organized Cancellation and Refund Policy, clearly outlined on their official website. Understanding that unforeseen circumstances may lead to the need to cancel reservations, American Airlines strives to make the process as customer-friendly as possible. Even if it’s a last-minute change, their policy provides high-quality support and service to customers. Below is a comprehensive guide to understanding American Airlines’ cancellation and refund policies before booking or canceling your flight.

Types of American Airlines Cancellation and Refund Tickets

American Airlines’ cancellation and refund policies depend on the fare category and class of your booking:

American Basic Economy Ticket: Typically, Basic Economy tickets are not eligible for cancellation. However, you can cancel within the first 24 hours of booking without a fee.
American Refundable Ticket: Refundable tickets can be canceled at any time after the 24-hour booking window, and you will receive a full refund. Though these tickets are more expensive, they offer greater flexibility and security for changes or cancellations.
American Non-Refundable Ticket: Non-refundable tickets are cheaper but come with a risk. If you need to cancel, you may incur significant penalties. To avoid these charges, consider purchasing a refundable ticket.
American 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation: You can cancel your ticket within 24 hours of booking without incurring a cancellation fee. This policy allows for a full refund, which will be processed in the original form of payment. You can also change your booking within 24 hours without paying a change fee.
American Award Tickets: Award tickets follow a different process for changes and cancellations. Since November 11, 2020, American Airlines has removed all cancellation and redeposit fees for award tickets.
American Travel Insurance: Purchasing travel insurance when booking with American Airlines is recommended to protect your booking against unexpected cancellations. Ensure that your insurer covers the reasons for any flight cancellations.

What is the American Airlines cancellation fee?

The American Airlines cancellation fee varies depending on the type of ticket you have purchased:

Basic Economy Tickets: Generally, Basic Economy tickets are non-refundable and cannot be canceled after the 24-hour risk-free cancellation period. If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, there is no cancellation fee.
Non-Refundable Tickets: If you need to cancel a non-refundable ticket after the 24-hour risk-free period, American Airlines typically charges a cancellation fee. The fee can range from $200 to $750, depending on the route and destination. The remaining value of your ticket can be applied as a credit toward future travel on American Airlines.
Refundable Tickets: Refundable tickets can be canceled at any time without incurring a cancellation fee. You will receive a full refund to the original form of payment.
Award Tickets: For award tickets, American Airlines has eliminated cancellation and redeposit fees as of November 11, 2020. You can cancel your award ticket without a fee and the miles will be redeposited into your account.

Steps to Cancel Your American Airlines Flight Booking

Visit the official website at www.americanairlines.com on your laptop or phone browser.
Navigate to the ‘Reservation’ tab at the top of the homepage.
Select the ‘Change or View Reservation’ option from the drop-down menu.
Enter your booking confirmation number and last name, or your frequent flyer number, to view your booking.
Choose the option to change or cancel your booking.
Once you cancel your flight, refunds are processed according to American Airlines guidelines.

How to Apply for an American Airlines Refund

To request a refund from American Airlines, you’ll need the ticket number and the traveler’s last name. After entering this information, the American Airlines refund department will inform you of your eligibility and options.

If you need to contact the American Airlines refund office after requesting a refund:

Go to www.aa.com/refunds.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Under "Customer Service," click on "Contact Refunds."
Use this form to address concerns about your refund. Do not use it to request a refund, as it is intended for other communications with the refund team.

Important Contact Numbers for American Airlines

Service	Phone Number
Customer Service
- U.S. and Canada	800-433-7300
- Hearing and Speech Impaired (TTY)	800-543-1586
- International	International Contact Numbers
Reservations
- U.S. and Canada	800-433-7300
- Spanish	800-633-3711
AAdvantage® Customer Service
- U.S. and Canada	800-882-8880
- International	AAdvantage Contact Numbers
Refunds
- Refund Status	800-892-3447
- Refund Customer Service	Refunds page
Baggage
- Delayed or Damaged Baggage	800-535-5225
Special Assistance
- Disability Assistance	800-433-7300
- Hearing and Speech Impaired (TTY)	800-543-1586