Oct 28, 2015, 12:22 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
AA schedule changes - free flight change / cancellation / refund
The latest change policy may be read here (Thanks to MRP Alert for resource link.)
The above link appears to be broken. The latest change policy, as of June 13, 2023, can be found here.
As of March 2022:
NOTE: The Detailed Fare Rules for your ticket(s) details refundability, etc. You can read (and print to PDF, etc.) before you purchase. Regardless of fare title (Refundable, Flexible, etc.) you should read these prior to purchase.
Older posts may be read here.
The latest change policy may be read here (Thanks to MRP Alert for resource link.)
The above link appears to be broken. The latest change policy, as of June 13, 2023, can be found here.
As of March 2022:
- Limited changes allowed if schedule change is 60 minutes or less.
- More flexibility if schedule change is 61 minutes or more.
- Refunds on non-refundable fares typically require a schedule change of 241 minutes or more.
NOTE: The Detailed Fare Rules for your ticket(s) details refundability, etc. You can read (and print to PDF, etc.) before you purchase. Regardless of fare title (Refundable, Flexible, etc.) you should read these prior to purchase.
beachfan has shared:
I believe if it's an equipment swap, to a less desirable plane (I.e, 777 to 738) then yes, full refund, otherwise it's 120 minutes. One Mile at a Time blog covered this and referred to the contract of carriage (or whatever the linked document is called; it's titled general rules).
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...irplane-change
International Tariff (March 2023)
International General Rules
I believe if it's an equipment swap, to a less desirable plane (I.e, 777 to 738) then yes, full refund, otherwise it's 120 minutes. One Mile at a Time blog covered this and referred to the contract of carriage (or whatever the linked document is called; it's titled general rules).
http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.c...irplane-change
International Tariff (March 2023)
International General Rules
Code:
SCHEDULE CHANGE IN THE EVENT, AFTER TICKET ISSUANCE, SCHEDULE CHANGES ARE MADE BY AA THAT: (I) AFFECT A PASSENGER'S DEPARTURE AND/OR ARRIVAL BY 2 OR MORE HOURS; (II) RESULT IN THE ADDITION OF AN INTERMEDIATE STOP ON THE PASSENGER'S ITINERARY; (III) RESULT IN A SUBSTITUTION OF EQUIPMENT NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE PASSENGER; OR (IV) IF A CANCELLATION OR A CHANGE IN EITHER AIR OR TOUR ITINERARY IS INITIATED EITHER BY AA OR IT'S TOUR OPERATORS WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE TO THE PASSENGER, THE PASSENGER WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF CANCELLING WITHOUT PENALTY, OR REROUTING ON DIFFERENT FLIGHTS TO/FROM THE SAME OR DIFFERENT DESTINATION. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER MUST PAY ANY ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS RESULTING FROM THE REROUTING.
AA schedule changes - flight change / cancellation / refund policy (consolidated)
Aug 17, 2023 | 11:08 am
#1486
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 13,098
Aug 17, 2023 | 11:33 am
#1487
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 443
Thats very interesting, Im glad I asked.
The online agent was extremely adamant no changes allowed. Is there anywhere this is written down so I can refer to this before I go back to them do you know?
Thanks a lot.
The online agent was extremely adamant no changes allowed. Is there anywhere this is written down so I can refer to this before I go back to them do you know?
Thanks a lot.
Aug 17, 2023 | 11:38 am
#1488
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, QR Gold, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,859
Schedule Change results in a Change to the Operating Carrier
For example, if the flight changes from AA*/IB operated to an AA*/BA operated flight, or from AA to AE (American to American Eagle), you may:
Refund to Original Form of Payment as long as customer was Holding Confirmed (HK) prior to the change
Note: This does not include a change to the type of equipment
For example, if the flight changes from AA*/IB operated to an AA*/BA operated flight, or from AA to AE (American to American Eagle), you may:
Refund to Original Form of Payment as long as customer was Holding Confirmed (HK) prior to the change
Note: This does not include a change to the type of equipment
Aug 17, 2023 | 11:38 am
#1489
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 13,098
Not sure exactly about where it's written down, however your typical chat rep is going to have no clue about this kind of thing.
Aug 17, 2023 | 11:44 am
#1490
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Airport Lounges (Usually in ORD and LHR)
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, QR Gold, UA 1K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,859
There are similar threads on the UA and DL forums for swaps from UA to UAX and DL to DLC respectively.
Aug 17, 2023 | 11:56 am
#1491
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,147
As I usually do/suggest in these situations, DM on Twitter (the real AA account!) along the lines of "I had a schedule change on PNR XXXXXX for flight ### YYY-ZZZ to flight #### with a change in carrier. Please change me to flight ### at HH:MM YYY-ZZZ."
Usually they change it pretty quickly with no questions asked; if there is pushback, mention again the change in carrier.
Usually they change it pretty quickly with no questions asked; if there is pushback, mention again the change in carrier.
Aug 17, 2023 | 12:02 pm
#1492
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 443
Thanks everyone.
Really goes to show the power of something like this site. Id have been absolutely none the wiser
Ive read through the other threads and it appears my option is to just cancel my flight entirely and apply for a refund on AA prefunds.com is that right?
Lastly before I do this, my flight does have a connection, but this should be unrelated to the process Im guessing as the first flight they have moved from Mainline to PSA Airlines
Really goes to show the power of something like this site. Id have been absolutely none the wiser
Ive read through the other threads and it appears my option is to just cancel my flight entirely and apply for a refund on AA prefunds.com is that right?
Lastly before I do this, my flight does have a connection, but this should be unrelated to the process Im guessing as the first flight they have moved from Mainline to PSA Airlines
Last edited by Microwave; Aug 18, 2023 at 8:39 am Reason: Merged consecutive posts for readability
Aug 17, 2023 | 1:16 pm
#1493
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AA PLT, IHG Spire
Posts: 564
A refund is not required, you definately can get them to change a basic economy ticket for a schedule change issue or a change in carrier. I did it myself fairly recently, although I did it for a schedule change that ended up violating MCT.
If you would rather refund than pick a new flight you can, but it is in no way required.
If you would rather refund than pick a new flight you can, but it is in no way required.
Aug 17, 2023 | 3:56 pm
#1494
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 6,036
Ive read through the other threads and it appears my option is to just cancel my flight entirely and apply for a refund on AA prefunds.com is that right?
Lastly before I do this, my flight does have a connection, but this should be unrelated to the process Im guessing as the first flight they have moved from Mainline to PSA Airlines
Lastly before I do this, my flight does have a connection, but this should be unrelated to the process Im guessing as the first flight they have moved from Mainline to PSA Airlines
Aug 23, 2023 | 8:14 am
#1495
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 443
So followed the steps advised as the first part of my ticket was changed from Mainline to Eagle.
So was surprised to receive this response today.
We're sorry your travel plans didn't work out. You purchased a Basic Economy fare, and no changes or refunds are allowed.
Although Basic Economy fares are the most economical option, they hold no value if unused. For your future travel plans, we offer flexible and refundable fares that allow for changes in your travel plans. We hope you'll consider American Airlines again for a future trip.
If you purchased trip insurance, please visit our Trip Insurance page for assistance in filing a claim.
Essentially- Refund rejected.
Any advice on what to do next? Resubmit the request with more T and Cs attached / something on the laws?
I just put in the box, Change of airline from mainline to Eagle
So was surprised to receive this response today.
We're sorry your travel plans didn't work out. You purchased a Basic Economy fare, and no changes or refunds are allowed.
Although Basic Economy fares are the most economical option, they hold no value if unused. For your future travel plans, we offer flexible and refundable fares that allow for changes in your travel plans. We hope you'll consider American Airlines again for a future trip.
If you purchased trip insurance, please visit our Trip Insurance page for assistance in filing a claim.
Essentially- Refund rejected.
Any advice on what to do next? Resubmit the request with more T and Cs attached / something on the laws?
I just put in the box, Change of airline from mainline to Eagle
Aug 23, 2023 | 1:37 pm
#1496
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 13,098
So followed the steps advised as the first part of my ticket was changed from Mainline to Eagle.
So was surprised to receive this response today.
We're sorry your travel plans didn't work out. You purchased a Basic Economy fare, and no changes or refunds are allowed.
Although Basic Economy fares are the most economical option, they hold no value if unused. For your future travel plans, we offer flexible and refundable fares that allow for changes in your travel plans. We hope you'll consider American Airlines again for a future trip.
If you purchased trip insurance, please visit our Trip Insurance page for assistance in filing a claim.
Essentially- Refund rejected.
Any advice on what to do next? Resubmit the request with more T and Cs attached / something on the laws?
I just put in the box, Change of airline from mainline to Eagle
So was surprised to receive this response today.
We're sorry your travel plans didn't work out. You purchased a Basic Economy fare, and no changes or refunds are allowed.
Although Basic Economy fares are the most economical option, they hold no value if unused. For your future travel plans, we offer flexible and refundable fares that allow for changes in your travel plans. We hope you'll consider American Airlines again for a future trip.
If you purchased trip insurance, please visit our Trip Insurance page for assistance in filing a claim.
Essentially- Refund rejected.
Any advice on what to do next? Resubmit the request with more T and Cs attached / something on the laws?
I just put in the box, Change of airline from mainline to Eagle
Aug 27, 2023 | 11:36 pm
#1498
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, Global Entry
Posts: 779
I can offer my experience of a change between 1 and 2 hours. I decided to move to a different set of flights the following day, as is permitted with a change of 61+ minutes.
I called in and the agent was not aware of this policy. After a good amount of time on hold, they conceded this was within policy but then claimed they could barely see any available flights. Ended the call politely.
Went to the live chat and the agent promptly re-booked the flights within a few minutes.
I called in and the agent was not aware of this policy. After a good amount of time on hold, they conceded this was within policy but then claimed they could barely see any available flights. Ended the call politely.
Went to the live chat and the agent promptly re-booked the flights within a few minutes.
Aug 29, 2023 | 9:41 pm
#1499
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA GLD, Bonvoy Titan, HH Dia, WoH Exp
Posts: 2,674
I have an award flight (one-segment domestic) that I have booked for a family member. There was a time change of 112 min, so the departure time is 112 min earlier than the original booking. This family member is not a fan of early morning flights.
Would it be reasonable to ask to be changed to a flight the evening before the original scheduled flight?
It seems from the thread that when the change in departing flight time is 61 min or more, there is some more flexibility to change the day to before or after the oringal scheduled date.
Would it be reasonable to ask to be changed to a flight the evening before the original scheduled flight?
It seems from the thread that when the change in departing flight time is 61 min or more, there is some more flexibility to change the day to before or after the oringal scheduled date.