american airlines Cancellation Policy
Overview of how american airlines handles cancellation policy so you can book with confidence.
American Airlines Cancellation Policy
American Airlines has a flexible cancellation policy that varies depending on the type of ticket purchased, fare rules, and destination. Understanding the cancellation policy before booking can help passengers avoid unnecessary fees.
One of the most traveler-friendly features is the 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy. Under this policy, passengers can cancel their booking within 24 hours of purchase and receive a full refund, provided the ticket was booked at least two days before the scheduled departure. This applies to all fare types, including non-refundable tickets.
For refundable tickets, passengers can cancel their flight at any time before departure and receive a full refund back to the original form of payment. These tickets are usually more expensive but provide maximum flexibility.
Non-refundable tickets, which are more commonly purchased, generally do not offer cash refunds. However, travelers can cancel these tickets and receive a travel credit that can be used toward future flights with American Airlines. The credit usually has an expiration date and must be used within a specific time frame.
Basic Economy tickets have the most restrictions. In most cases, these tickets cannot be canceled or changed after the 24-hour window, except in rare circumstances such as significant schedule changes or special waivers issued by the airline.