Sometimes things happen that are outside of our control that can put a dent into our travel plans. The process of canceling a flight can be both expensive and complicated.
If you happened to book your flight with American Airlines and need to cancel, you’re in the right place! Here’s all the information you need to navigate its cancellation policy and determine what policies apply to your situation.
American’s Cancellation Policy: Flights Paid With Cash or Points
All customers have 24 hours from the time of their original booking (at least 2 days before departure) to cancel their reservation without being charged a cancellation fee, regardless of the fare selected.
Basic Economy Ticket
American Airlines will not allow you to cancel a Basic Economy ticket unless it is canceled within 24 hours from the time it was purchased. However, there are some circumstances where you can cancel and request a refund: if American changes your flight schedule by 4 hours or more, if you have military orders, or (very morbidly) if you or your traveling companion dies.
Non-Refundable Ticket
For domestic flights, American charges no cancellation fee on paid fares, and no fee for international flights.
You can apply the unused value of your American Airlines ticket toward a future trip as long as your new trip begins no later than 1 year from the ticket’s original issue date and you canceled the original ticket before the departure of the first flight (depending on fare rules).
Refundable Ticket
If you’ve purchased a refundable ticket, cancellations can be made anytime before the departure of your flight and the refund will be issued to your original credit card within 7 days (it should appear on your statement in 1 to 2 billing cycles).
Award Ticket
American Airlines has eliminated all cancel and redeposit fees on award tickets.
Basic Economy
American does not allow flight changes for those with Basic Economy tickets, departing from any destination.*
* Changes for trips that begin in Europe are allowed with a fee (excludes Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania).
Domestic and Short-Haul International Tickets
American Airlines has eliminated all change fees for first, business, Premium Economy, and Main Cabin tickets for all domestic and short-haul international flying on all tickets, excluding Basic Economy.
Long-Haul International Tickets
American has eliminated change fees for first, business, Premium Economy, and Main Cabin tickets for all long-haul international flights originating in North or South America, excluding Basic Economy. For flights originating outside of North or South America, the change fee is up to $750.
Refundable Ticket
If you’ve purchased a refundable ticket, you can make changes to your itinerary without needing to pay any additional fees. If you’re changing to a more expensive option, you will need to pay the difference in price. If you’re changing to a cheaper flight, the difference in fare will be refunded to your original method of payment.
Final Thoughts
In summary, if you’re worried that you may need to cancel your flight and want to make sure you can get a refund, a refundable ticket is going to be your best, albeit more expensive, option.
Having to deal with canceling a flight can be difficult enough as it is, but knowledge is power (as are cards that provide compensation). Be certain to review fare rules closely so that you know what your options are both at the time of booking and if you end up needing to cancel.
