Are you staring at an American Airlines credit and wondering how long do you have to use American Airlines credit before it vanishes into thin air? You're in the right place! It's a common question, and navigating airline credit policies can feel like deciphering a secret code. But fear not, we're here to demystify it all and guide you, step-by-step, on how to make the most of your American Airlines credit.
Let's dive in and ensure you don't leave any valuable credit on the table!
Understanding American Airlines Travel Credits: Flight Credit vs. Trip Credit
Before we get to the "how long," it's crucial to understand that American Airlines has different types of travel credits, and their rules can vary slightly. The two main types you'll likely encounter are Flight Credits and Trip Credits.
Flight Credit: This is typically issued when you cancel a non-refundable ticket. It's tied to the original passenger on the ticket and generally must be used for travel by that same individual. Think of it as the value of your original, unused ticket.
Trip Credit: This is a more flexible form of credit, often issued for voluntary denied boarding (like when you get bumped from a flight), compensation, or as residual value from an exchanged ticket where the new fare was less than the original. Trip Credits are generally transferable and can be used to book travel for anyone.
The expiration dates for both Flight Credits and Trip Credits generally align with the original ticket's issue date or the date the credit was issued, but there are some nuances.
The General Rule: One Year from Issuance or Original Ticket Date
For most American Airlines Flight Credits and Trip Credits, the prevailing rule is that they are valid for one year from the date of their original issuance.
Important Note for Flight Credits: For Flight Credits, this usually means travel must commence within one year from the original ticket issue date. For example, if your original ticket was issued on July 22, 2024, your Flight Credit would typically expire on July 22, 2025, and your new travel needs to start by that date.
Important Note for Trip Credits: For Trip Credits, especially those issued on or after April 2, 2024, if you're an AAdvantage® member and your AAdvantage® number was included in your reservation, you generally have 12 months to use your Trip Credit (meaning, book your travel). Non-AAdvantage® members might have 6 months.
It's critical to always check the specific terms and conditions of your individual credit, as promotional credits or credits issued during certain periods (like the pandemic) might have different expiration policies.
Step 1: Discover Your American Airlines Credit Details
Feeling lost about whether you even have a credit, or when it expires? Don't worry, finding your credit details is the very first and most important step!
Sub-heading: Check Your Email
Did you recently cancel a flight or receive compensation from American Airlines? Your initial instinct should be to check your email inbox. American Airlines typically sends an email containing the details of your Flight or Trip Credit, including the credit number (often a 13-digit number) and the expiration date. Don't forget to check your spam or junk folders, just in case!
Sub-heading: Log In to Your AAdvantage® Account
If you're an AAdvantage® member, this is arguably the easiest way to find your travel credits.
Go to aa.com (American Airlines' official website).
Log in to your AAdvantage® account.
Once logged in, look for a section like "Travel credit" or "Wallet" in your account summary or profile. This section will typically list your available Trip Credits and Flight Credits, their balances, and their expiration dates.
Sub-heading: Use the American Airlines Travel Credit Lookup Tool
American Airlines provides a handy tool on their website to look up your credit without logging into an AAdvantage® account.
Go to the American Airlines website.
Look for a section related to "Manage Trips" or "Find your trip or travel credit."
You'll usually be prompted to enter your last name and either your confirmation code (the 6-letter code from your original booking) or your 13-digit ticket number. This will help you retrieve your credit information.
Sub-heading: Call American Airlines Customer Service
If all else fails, or if you prefer to speak to a human, American Airlines customer service can help.
Have your original booking details (confirmation code, passenger names, dates of travel) ready.
Explain that you're trying to locate and understand the terms of your American Airlines flight or trip credit.
Be patient, as wait times can vary.
Step 2: Understand the Expiration Rules for Your Specific Credit
Once you've located your credit, carefully examine the expiration date and any associated terms.
Sub-heading: "Use By" Date vs. "Travel By" Date
This is a crucial distinction that often trips people up.
"Use By" Date (for booking): This means you must book your new flight using the credit by this specific date. The actual travel date can often be after this date, as long as it falls within the airline's normal booking window (usually up to 330-360 days out). This is often the case with Trip Credits.
"Travel By" Date (for completing travel): This means your entire journey, or at least the commencement of your journey, must occur on or before this date. This is more common with certain types of Flight Credits.
Always confirm which applies to your credit. If in doubt, assume it's the more restrictive "travel by" date to avoid losing your credit.
Sub-heading: Special Rules for Older Credits
If your original ticket was issued between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, American Airlines had specific extended validity policies due to the pandemic. These credits generally allowed you to use the value by September 30, 2022, for travel through December 31, 2022. While most of these would have expired, it's worth noting if you're dealing with a very old credit.
The general trend is that most American Airlines travel credits are now back to the standard 1-year validity period.
Step 3: Strategize How to Use Your Credit Before It Expires
Now that you know what you have and when it expires, it's time to plan!
Sub-heading: Book a New Flight
This is the most straightforward way to use your credit.
Search for flights on aa.com as you normally would.
Once you've selected your desired flights and proceed to the payment page, look for an option to "Apply available credits" or "Add travel credit."
You'll be prompted to enter your 13-digit Flight Credit or Trip Credit number.
Carefully apply the credit. If the new flight is more expensive, you'll pay the difference.
What if the new flight is cheaper? If you're using a Flight Credit and the new flight costs less, the remaining balance might be forfeited, or, in some cases, issued as a Trip Credit. If it's a Trip Credit and the new flight is cheaper, the remaining balance will typically be issued as a new Trip Credit with the original expiration date of the initial credit. This is important: the expiration date usually does not reset when you use a portion of a credit.
Sub-heading: Consider a "Throwaway" Booking (with Caution!)
This strategy is sometimes discussed as a way to potentially extend the life of a Flight Credit that is tied to a "travel by" date, or to convert a Flight Credit into a more flexible Trip Credit.
The Concept: Book a very cheap, refundable flight before your credit expires, using your existing Flight Credit. Then, after a short period (but within the 24-hour free cancellation window if applicable, or before the flight departs if you're willing to forfeit a small amount), cancel that newly booked flight. The idea is that the value might be reissued as a Trip Credit with a new expiration date, or simply convert the Flight Credit to a Trip Credit.
Why Caution? American Airlines' policies are designed to prevent this exact scenario. While some users report success in the past, it's not a guaranteed method and can be risky.
Official Policy: American Airlines explicitly states they will not extend or reissue flight credits past their expiration date. They also state that if you cancel a reservation booked using a travel credit, the original travel credit expiration date applies.
Risk: You could end up losing the entire value of your credit if this strategy doesn't work as intended, or if the system issues a new credit with the original expiration date.
Recommendation: This is generally not recommended as a reliable method to extend credit. Your best bet is to use the credit for genuine travel plans before it expires.
Sub-heading: Using Multiple Credits
Online: Generally, you can apply one Flight Credit per passenger when booking on AA.com. For Trip Credits, you might be able to use up to eight in a single passenger reservation online.
Phone: If you have multiple Flight Credits for one passenger or a complex situation involving several credits, it's often best to call American Airlines Reservations. They can manually combine and apply credits that the online system might not handle.
Step 4: Keep Track of Your Credits
It's easy to forget about travel credits, especially if your plans change frequently.
Sub-heading: Create a System
Spreadsheet: A simple spreadsheet with the credit type, value, issuance date, and expiration date can be a lifesaver.
Calendar Reminders: Set calendar reminders a few months, weeks, and days before your credit is set to expire.
Screenshot/Save Emails: Keep the original email confirmations of your credits in a dedicated folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 related FAQs to help you further navigate American Airlines travel credits:
How to check my American Airlines flight credit balance?
You can check your Flight Credit or Trip Credit balance by logging into your AAdvantage® account on aa.com and navigating to the "Travel credit" or "Wallet" section. Alternatively, use the "Find your trip or travel credit" tool on aa.com by entering your last name and confirmation code or 13-digit ticket number.
How to use American Airlines flight credit for someone else?
Generally, Flight Credits are non-transferable and can only be used by the original passenger named on the ticket. However, Trip Credits can be used to book travel for anyone. Always verify the specific terms of your credit.
How to combine multiple American Airlines flight credits?
While you can typically only use one Flight Credit per passenger online, you can often combine multiple Flight Credits for a single booking by calling American Airlines Reservations. For Trip Credits, you might be able to use up to eight online.
How to extend an expiring American Airlines flight credit?
American Airlines generally states they do not extend or reissue flight credits past their expiration date. The most reliable way to "extend" its utility is to book new travel before it expires. Be wary of unofficial methods like "throwaway" bookings, as they may not work and you could lose your credit.
How to get a refund for an American Airlines flight credit?
Flight Credits and Trip Credits are generally non-refundable to cash or original form of payment. They are intended for future travel with American Airlines. Refunds are typically only issued for refundable tickets or in cases of significant airline-initiated changes or cancellations that qualify under their refund policy.
How to use American Airlines flight credit for bags or seats?
American Airlines Flight Credits and Trip Credits can only be redeemed for the base fare and associated taxes and fees of a new flight. They cannot be used for extras like seat assignments, checked baggage fees, or upgrades.
How to find the expiration date of my American Airlines travel credit?
The expiration date for your American Airlines travel credit will be stated in the email you received when the credit was issued. If you're an AAdvantage® member, you can also find it by logging into your account and checking the "Travel credit" or "Wallet" section.
How to apply American Airlines credit to an existing reservation?
Generally, you cannot apply an American Airlines credit to an already existing and paid for reservation. Credits are applied during the booking process for a new reservation.
How to use American Airlines credit for international travel?
You can use American Airlines Flight Credits or Trip Credits for international travel, provided the credit is valid for the fare class and routing. If booking online, Flight Credits may have limitations on international routes (e.g., within U.S. and its territories). For broader international use or complex itineraries, calling American Airlines Reservations is often recommended.
How to differentiate between Flight Credit and Trip Credit?
Flight Credit is tied to a specific unused ticket and the original passenger, usually for non-refundable fares. Trip Credit is more flexible, often issued as a general voucher from compensation or residual value, and can typically be used by anyone. The 13-digit number for a Trip Credit often starts with "00115". Check your credit notification email or your AAdvantage wallet for specifics.
