How to Cancel an American Airlines Flight Easily

Can you cancel an American Airlines flight? Yes — and in fact, you have several options to get the job done. Planning travel these days can be unpredictable and out of your control at times, but the airline has simplified policies to add flexibility for travelers.

Here’s everything you need to know about canceling an American Airlines flight, plus some tips to help you cancel your flight if you booked with cash or miles.

American Airlines Cancellation Policy


Understanding airline policies and terms and conditions can be difficult. Here is a summary of the key points of American Airlines flight cancellation policy:

▶ All tickets: Can be cancelled for a full refund within 24 hours of purchase if booked at least two days before departure.

▶ Refundable tickets: Can be cancelled for a full refund by requesting a refund online or by contacting reservations.

▶ Non-refundable tickets: No refunds after the 24-hour grace period. However, if you cancel a flight before departure, you can apply the unused value of the eligible fare to future travel as long as the new flight is within one year of the original ticket issuance date.

Currently, you are only allowed to make changes to your trip once.

Keep in mind that this policy only applies to purchases made directly with American Airlines. If you purchased your ticket from a travel agent or website, you will need to contact the agency directly.

American Airlines Cancellation Fees


American Airlines does not charge any fees for cancellations. The airline has eliminated cancellation fees on non-refundable domestic, short-haul international and select long-haul international flight tickets for Premium Cabin, Premium Economy and Main Cabin fares.

This does not include Basic Economy fares booked on or after April 1, 2021, which are non-refundable and non-changeable (meaning – you won’t even get a flight credit if you cancel a Basic Economy booking).

Cancelled non-refundable fares are refunded to the original purchase price as a flight credit. Although cancellation fees are waived, you may still have to extra pay any difference in ticket price if you rebook on a more expensive flight.

If your new flight is less expensive than your original ticket price, American will issue you a trip credit for the difference.

How to cancel a flight on American Airlines


To cancel a flight, contact reservations in the U.S. or Canada by calling 800-433-7300. Alternatively, you can cancel an American Airlines flight online at aa.com.

First, navigate to Your Trips from the homepage and enter your flight confirmation code. Then, follow the prompts to find and cancel your flight booking.

Once you’ve canceled your flight, you’ll receive an email confirmation from American, which will include your ticket number.

Be sure to keep this email as a reference to rebook your next flight.

How to Change or Rebook Your American Airlines Flight


If you need to make changes to an existing flight, you can call reservations or access your reservation online. Here’s how to change your flight online:

Go to aa.com and look for “Manage Trips/Check-In” on the homepage. Enter your record locator number and look for the “Change Trip” option to make the changes you want.

AAdvantage members can log into their account and change reservations in “My Trips/Check-In.” After logging in, simply look for the “Change Trip” option.

Keep in mind that if your trip was booked through American, you can only make changes online up to two hours before your flight.

If you don’t see the “Change Trip” option after entering your trip, you’ll need to call Reservations.

When you’re ready to rebook a previously canceled flight, you can do so online (log into your account and find your “Wallet”) or call Reservations.

It’s helpful to have your record locator number as well as your ticket number. Your ticket number can be found in the cancellation email American sent you when you canceled your flight.

How to Get a Refund from American Airlines


✅For Flights Booked with Cash
If you need to request a refund, there’s no need to contact customer service, which doesn’t handle refunds. If you do, you’ll be directed to the refund website.

To save time, go directly to AA.com/refunds. There, you’ll have the option to request a refund or check the status of a pending refund. At this time, the airline doesn’t provide a phone number and must be contacted via the website or mail.

To request a refund, you’ll need the ticket number and the last name of the passenger. Once you enter your info, the refund department will advise you of eligibility and options.

If you need to contact the refund department after you have requested a refund:

✅ Go to AA.com/refunds and scroll down to the bottom of the page.

✅ Under “Customer Service,” click on “Contact Refunds.”

✅ Here, you will have the option to voice your concerns about a refund but don’t use this form to request a refund, it is for other communications with the refund team only.

You can also fax the refund department at:

✅ Fax: 800-892-3447

✅International fax: 480-693-2759

For flights booked with miles


American also notes that you should not use the refund page for award flights. If you cancel your award flight on the American Airlines website before the first flight departs, your miles will be restored and a refund for taxes and fees will be requested automatically. If you have questions about restoring miles from a canceled award flight, call customer service.

Final Thoughts About Canceling an American Airlines Flight


American offers flexible options for rebooking or changing your flight, including no change fees, but it’s also helpful to understand the cancellation policy. Before you cancel or change your American Airlines flight, make sure you know all of your options.

FAQ For Cancel an American Airlines Flight

Q1: How can I cancel my American Airlines flight?

A1: You can cancel your American Airlines flight online by visiting aa.com. Navigate to ‘My Trips,’ enter your 6-character flight confirmation code, and follow the on-screen instructions to cancel your booking. Alternatively, you can contact American Airlines reservations at 800-433-7300 for assistance.

Q2: What is American Airlines’ 24-hour cancellation policy?

A2: American Airlines allows you to cancel your ticket within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund, provided the booking was made at least two days before departure. This policy applies to all ticket types, including Basic Economy.

Q3: Are there cancellation fees for non-refundable tickets?

A3: For non-refundable tickets, if you cancel after the 24-hour window, you will not receive a refund. However, you can use the value of the canceled ticket for future travel.

Q4: Can I cancel a Basic Economy ticket?

A4: Yes, you can cancel a Basic Economy ticket within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, provided the booking was made at least two days before departure. After 24 hours, Basic Economy tickets are generally non-refundable and non-changeable.

Q5: What happens if American Airlines cancels my flight?

A5: If American Airlines cancels your flight, they will automatically rebook you on the next available flight. If the new flight doesn’t suit your schedule, you can contact American Airlines customer support to discuss refund options.

See More Also>>> How to Get Compensation for Delayed Flights?

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