How To Cancel an American Airlines Flight [Points or Cash Ticket]

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).

Hot Tip: Non-refundable tickets can still be refunded in the event of the death of the passenger or passenger’s traveling companion or because of military orders. Supporting documentation is required.

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.

Hot Tip: Looking for even more information about canceling award tickets? Explore our guide on canceling award tickets, including information on over 30 carriers, to learn more.

American’s Flight Change Policy

American does not charge change fees for all domestic flights and travel originating in North or South America (excluding Basic Economy). For travel originating outside North or South America, the change fee is up to $750.

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.

Award Ticket

American Airlines has eliminated all change and redeposit fees on award tickets.

How To Cancel a Flight on American

Step 1: Log into your account on American’s homepage and select Your trips / Check in.

Step 2: Once you’ve selected the trip you want to cancel, select Cancel Booking.

Step 3: The next screen will ask you to confirm that you want to cancel your booking. After you click Confirm, your booking will officially be canceled and you’ll receive a voucher for any remaining funds after any potential cancellation fees.

How To Use an American Travel eVoucher

You can retrieve your eVoucher number and PIN number by clicking on the link sent to you via email. On the payment screen, enter both the eVoucher number and PIN number exactly as they appear on the retrieval page.

You may use up to 8 eVouchers at 1 time. If the total price of the ticket exceeds the value of your eVouchers, you may use a credit card for any remaining balance.

How To Use an American Trip Credit

Recently, American Airlines introduced Trip Credits as its method for compensating customers after canceling their tickets — these are set to replace the old eVoucher method.

When you cancel a ticket, Trip Credits are automatically generated and sent by email for the unused value of a ticket (minus any fees). Similar to eVouchers, your Trip Credits have a ticket number and are valid for 1 year from the date of issue.

The 1 large caveat to the program is that any eVouchers you still have are not combinable with Trip Credits, and you cannot use both during the same purchase.

To redeem your Trip Credit you’ll need to contact the American Airlines Reservations department and provide them with your canceled ticket number to rebook. You may use up to 8 Trip Credits at 1 time. If the total price of the ticket exceeds the value of your Trip Credits, you may use a credit card for any remaining balance.

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.