Are American Airlines Award Tickets Refundable?

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For frequent flyers, using award tickets is a popular way to redeem miles and save money on flights. However, unexpected changes in plans can happen, leaving travelers wondering if their American Airlines award ticket is refundable.

American Airlines offers different types of award tickets, each with its own refund policy. Understanding these policies can help you make informed decisions when booking your next flight and give you peace of mind in case of any unforeseen circumstances. So, let’s take a closer look at the refund policies for American Airlines award tickets.

American Airlines award tickets are generally refundable, but it depends on the specific type of award ticket you’ve purchased. If you’ve purchased an AAnytime award ticket, you can get your miles back and the taxes and fees will be refunded as long as you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. If you’ve purchased a MileSAAver award ticket, you’ll need to pay a fee to get your miles back, but the taxes and fees will be refunded.

Are American Airlines Award Tickets Refundable?

Are American Airlines Award Tickets Refundable?

American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the world, operating flights to various destinations across the globe. The airline offers several types of tickets, including award tickets, which are popular among frequent flyers. But what happens if you need to cancel or change your award ticket? Are American Airlines award tickets refundable? Let’s find out.

Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Award Tickets

When you book an award ticket with American Airlines, you have the option to choose between refundable and non-refundable tickets. Refundable tickets offer more flexibility, as they allow you to cancel or change your reservation without any penalty. However, they are typically more expensive than non-refundable tickets.

Non-refundable award tickets, on the other hand, are cheaper but come with a catch. If you cancel or change your reservation, you will not receive a refund. Instead, your miles will be redeposited into your account, but you will have to pay a redeposit fee, which can range from $75 to $150 depending on your elite status.

Refundable Award Tickets

If you have a refundable award ticket with American Airlines, you can cancel or change your reservation at any time without any penalty. You will receive a full refund of your miles and any taxes and fees that you paid. However, if you cancel your reservation within 24 hours of booking, you may be eligible for a full refund even if you have a non-refundable ticket.

It’s important to note that refundable award tickets are typically more expensive than non-refundable tickets. If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to cancel or change your reservation, it may be more cost-effective to book a non-refundable ticket.

Non-Refundable Award Tickets

If you have a non-refundable award ticket with American Airlines, you can still cancel or change your reservation, but you will not receive a refund. Instead, your miles will be redeposited into your account, but you will have to pay a redeposit fee.

The redeposit fee for non-refundable award tickets varies depending on your elite status. If you’re a non-elite member, you’ll have to pay $150 to redeposit your miles. If you’re an AAdvantage Gold member, the fee drops to $125. AAdvantage Platinum members only have to pay $100, while AAdvantage Executive Platinum members pay no redeposit fee at all.

Benefits of Refundable Award Tickets

While refundable award tickets may be more expensive, they offer several benefits that may make them worth the extra cost. For example, if you’re not sure whether you’ll be able to travel on your scheduled dates, a refundable ticket can give you peace of mind knowing that you can cancel or change your reservation without any penalty.

Refundable tickets are also ideal for travelers who need to make last-minute changes to their itinerary. If you have a non-refundable ticket and need to make a change within 24 hours of departure, you may not be able to do so without forfeiting your miles. With a refundable ticket, you can make changes up until the last minute without any penalty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, American Airlines award tickets can be refundable or non-refundable, depending on the type of ticket you purchase. Refundable tickets offer more flexibility but are more expensive, while non-refundable tickets are cheaper but come with a redeposit fee if you cancel or change your reservation.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll need to cancel or change your reservation, it may be more cost-effective to book a non-refundable ticket and pay the redeposit fee if necessary. However, if you value flexibility and peace of mind, a refundable ticket may be the better option for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers regarding American Airlines Award Tickets Refund Policy.

Can I get a refund for my American Airlines Award Ticket?

Yes, you can get a refund for your American Airlines Award Ticket. However, the refund policy varies depending on the type of Award Ticket you purchased. If you purchased a refundable Award Ticket, you can easily cancel your ticket and get a full refund. If your Award Ticket is non-refundable, you may still be able to get a refund if you cancel within 24 hours of booking. After 24 hours, you will not be able to get a refund for a non-refundable Award Ticket.

Note that taxes and fees may be non-refundable, even if you cancel your Award Ticket.

What is the fee for canceling an American Airlines Award Ticket?

The fee for canceling an American Airlines Award Ticket varies depending on the type of Award Ticket you purchased. If you purchased a refundable Award Ticket, there is no fee for canceling your ticket. If you purchased a non-refundable Award Ticket, the cancellation fee can range from $150 to $300 depending on the fare class and destination.

Note that if you cancel your Award Ticket within 24 hours of booking, you may be able to avoid the cancellation fee.

Can I change my American Airlines Award Ticket?

Yes, you can change your American Airlines Award Ticket. However, the change fee and policies depend on the type of Award Ticket you purchased. If you purchased a refundable Award Ticket, you can make changes without incurring any fee. If you purchased a non-refundable Award Ticket, you will need to pay a change fee, which can range from $75 to $150 depending on the fare class and destination.

Note that changes may not be allowed for some Award Tickets, and there may be restrictions on the number of changes you can make.

What happens if I miss my American Airlines Award flight?

If you miss your American Airlines Award flight, you may be able to get a new flight depending on the type of Award Ticket you purchased. If you purchased a refundable Award Ticket, you can easily change your flight without any fee. If you purchased a non-refundable Award Ticket, you may need to pay a change fee and the fare difference to get a new flight. However, if you do not cancel your flight before the scheduled departure time, you will lose the value of your ticket.

Note that some Award Tickets may not allow changes or refunds, so it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully.

How do I cancel or change my American Airlines Award Ticket?

You can cancel or change your American Airlines Award Ticket by logging into your account on the American Airlines website or by calling the American Airlines customer service. If you cancel your Award Ticket online, you will receive a confirmation email with the details of your refund. If you change your Award Ticket online, you will need to pay the change fee and any fare difference. If you call customer service, they will assist you in canceling or changing your Award Ticket.

Note that some Award Tickets may not be eligible for online changes or cancellations.

How to Hack American Airlines Award Search


In conclusion, American Airlines award tickets can be refundable or non-refundable, depending on the type of ticket purchased and the fare rules. It is important to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the ticket before making a purchase.

If you are unsure of your travel plans or if there is a possibility of changes, it may be wise to purchase a refundable ticket or add travel insurance to your booking. This can provide peace of mind and flexibility in case of unexpected circumstances.

Overall, American Airlines offers a variety of award ticket options to suit different travel needs and budgets. By doing your research and understanding the ticket rules, you can make the best decision for your upcoming trip and enjoy a stress-free travel experience.

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