Do you have an American Airlines credit sitting there, wondering how to turn it into your next great adventure? You're in the right place! Many travelers find themselves with airline credits after plans change, and understanding how they work is key to maximizing their value. Let's dive into the world of American Airlines credits, breaking down everything you need to know, step-by-step.
Understanding American Airlines Credits: Flight Credit vs. Trip Credit
Before we get into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand that American Airlines primarily issues two main types of travel credits: Flight Credit and Trip Credit. While both represent value you can use for future travel, their rules and flexibility differ significantly.
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| How Do American Airlines Credits Work |
Flight Credit: The Original Passenger's Lifeline
A Flight Credit is typically issued when you cancel or don't use a ticket. The most important characteristic of a Flight Credit is that it's generally non-transferable and can only be used by the passenger whose name was on the original ticket. Think of it as a personal IOU from American Airlines to you, for a future flight.
Trip Credit: More Flexibility for Future Plans
Trip Credit, on the other hand, is often issued as compensation, refunds, or as the remaining value after you've redeemed a Flight Credit for a cheaper new ticket. The key difference here is that Trip Credits are generally more flexible. While they are also non-refundable, the credit holder can often use a Trip Credit to book a flight for someone else, not just themselves. This makes Trip Credits a more versatile option for families or groups.
Important Note: Neither Flight Credit nor Trip Credit can typically be used for additional expenses like seat selection, baggage fees, or for charges associated with award travel (flights booked with miles). They are primarily for the base airfare and associated taxes/fees.
Step 1: Discovering Your American Airlines Credit
So, you think you might have an American Airlines credit? Let's find it! The first step to using your credit is to know it exists and to have the necessary details at hand.
Sub-heading: Where to Locate Your Credit Information
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Check your email: American Airlines usually sends an email with the details of your Flight Credit or Trip Credit upon issuance. This email will typically contain a 13-digit ticket number (often starting with "001") for Flight Credits, and a 13-digit Trip Credit number. For Flight Credits, you might also need the six-character confirmation code from your original canceled/unused ticket.
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Your AAdvantage Account (for AAdvantage members): If you're an AAdvantage member, you can often find your travel credit details by logging into your account on aa.com and navigating to the "Your Trips" or "Wallet" section. This is often the easiest way to keep track of all your American Airlines travel credits in one place.
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Contact American Airlines Customer Service: If you can't locate your credit details through email or your AAdvantage account, don't hesitate to call American Airlines customer service. Provide them with your name and any relevant past reservation details, and they should be able to help you track down your credit.
Step 2: Understanding Your Credit's Terms and Expiration
Now that you've located your credit, it's crucial to understand its terms and, most importantly, its expiration date. Ignoring this could lead to losing your credit entirely.
Sub-heading: Expiration Dates Are Key!
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General Rule: One Year from Issuance/Original Ticket Date: Most American Airlines Flight Credits and Trip Credits are valid for one year from the date they were issued or, in the case of Flight Credits, often from the original ticket purchase date. It's vital to confirm this specific date for your credit.
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Travel Must Commence/Be Booked By Expiration: For Flight Credits, travel using the credit must typically commence on or before the expiry date. For Trip Credits, the new travel must be booked on or before the expiry date.
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No Extensions (Generally): American Airlines generally does not reissue or extend expired Flight or Trip Credits. So, use it or lose it!
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Special Circumstances: Keep an eye out for any special announcements from American Airlines, as during unusual circumstances (like widespread travel disruptions), they might offer temporary extensions or different policies. Always verify the specific terms for your credit.
Step 3: Planning Your New Journey with Credit
With your credit details in hand and an understanding of its expiration, it's time for the fun part: planning your next trip!
Sub-heading: What You Can Book
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Flights Marketed and Operated by American Airlines: Both Flight Credits and Trip Credits are primarily redeemable for air travel on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or American Eagle.
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Codeshare/Oneworld Partners (with AA flight numbers): You can also typically use them for flights marketed and sold by American Airlines but operated by a codeshare or Oneworld alliance partner, as long as the flight number starts with "AA."
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Restrictions on Extras: Remember, these credits usually cannot be used for additional purchases like checked baggage fees, seat upgrades, Wi-Fi, or other ancillary services. They cover the base fare and government-imposed taxes and fees.
Step 4: Redeeming Your American Airlines Credit Online
The easiest and most common way to redeem your American Airlines credit is online through aa.com.
Sub-heading: Step-by-Step Redemption on AA.com
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Have Your Credit Details Ready: Before you begin, ensure you have your 13-digit Flight Credit or Trip Credit number. For Flight Credits, the original 6-character confirmation code might also be needed.
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Search for Your Desired Flight: Go to aa.com and search for the flight you wish to book, just as you would for a regular ticket purchase.
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Select Your Flights and Proceed to Payment: Choose your preferred flights and continue through the booking process until you reach the payment screen.
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Apply Your Travel Credit: On the payment page, you will typically see an option to "Add Trip or Flight Credit" or similar.
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For Flight Credit: Select "Flight Credit" and enter your 13-digit flight credit ticket number and the original passenger's last name. If prompted, also enter the 6-character confirmation code from the original ticket.
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For Trip Credit: Select "Trip Credit" and enter your 13-digit Trip Credit number and the associated last name.
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Review and Apply: The system will display the value of your credit. Apply it to your new booking.
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Handle the Difference (if any):
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If the new ticket price is higher than your credit: You will need to pay the remaining balance using a credit card or other accepted payment method.
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If the new ticket price is lower than your credit: The remaining balance will typically be issued back to you as a Trip Credit. This is an important point: any leftover Flight Credit value converts to a more flexible Trip Credit.
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Complete Your Booking: Finalize the booking process. You should receive a confirmation email for your new itinerary.
Sub-heading: Important Considerations for Online Redemption
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One Flight Credit per Passenger Online: When booking on aa.com, you can generally only use one Flight Credit per passenger on a single reservation for the Flight Credit holder. If you are traveling with others who also have Flight Credits, or if you need to use more than one Flight Credit for yourself, you might need to book their tickets separately or call American Airlines Reservations.
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Trip Credit Flexibility: You can typically apply multiple Trip Credits (up to eight) to a single reservation online, and Trip Credits can be used to book for multiple passengers.
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Domestic vs. International: While Flight Credits can often be used for both domestic and international flights, sometimes the online redemption for Flight Credits might be limited to flights within or between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For other international destinations using a Flight Credit, you might need to call reservations. Trip Credits are generally redeemable for domestic and international flights originating in the U.S.
Step 5: Redeeming Your American Airlines Credit Via Phone
Sometimes, booking online might not be an option, or you might have a more complex situation. In these cases, calling American Airlines Reservations is the way to go.
Sub-heading: When to Call Reservations
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Multiple Flight Credits: If you have more than one Flight Credit you wish to combine for a single passenger or a single reservation.
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Complex Itineraries: For more complex international itineraries, especially when redeeming Flight Credits.
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Issues with Online Redemption: If you encounter any technical difficulties or error messages when trying to apply your credit online.
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Specific Questions: If you have detailed questions about your credit's terms, eligibility, or combining different types of credits.
Sub-heading: What to Expect When Calling
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Have All Details Ready: Be prepared with your Flight Credit/Trip Credit numbers, original confirmation codes, last names associated with the credits, and your desired new flight details.
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Explain Your Situation Clearly: Inform the agent that you wish to book a new flight using your existing travel credit.
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Be Patient: Phone lines can sometimes be busy. Have your information organized to make the process smoother and faster.
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Confirm Details: Before the call ends, always confirm the new flight details, the amount of credit applied, and any remaining balance or new Trip Credit issued. Request a confirmation email.
Step 6: After Booking - Managing Your New Trip
Once your new trip is booked using your credit, treat it like any other reservation.
Sub-heading: What Happens Next
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Confirmation Email: You will receive a confirmation email with your new itinerary and ticket number.
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Manage Your Trip: You can manage your new booking through the "Manage trips" section on aa.com or via the American Airlines app. This includes selecting seats, checking in, and making any further modifications (subject to fare rules and potential fees).
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Cancellations of New Bookings: If you cancel a flight that was originally booked using a Flight Credit or Trip Credit, the value will typically be reissued as a new Trip Credit, subject to any cancellation fees. The original expiration date of the credit may still apply to the reissued credit, so be mindful of this!
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10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about American Airlines credits:
How to check my American Airlines flight credit balance?
You can check your American Airlines flight credit balance by logging into your AAdvantage account on aa.com and navigating to the "Your Trips" or "Wallet" section. Alternatively, you can find the details in the email American Airlines sent you when the credit was issued, or by calling their customer service.
How to use American Airlines flight credit online?
To use American Airlines flight credit online, search for your desired flight on aa.com, proceed to the payment page, and select the option to "Add Trip or Flight Credit." Enter your 13-digit flight credit number and the original passenger's last name (and possibly the 6-character confirmation code from the original ticket).
How to use multiple American Airlines flight credits for one booking?
If you have multiple American Airlines flight credits and want to use them for a single booking, you will typically need to call American Airlines Reservations. Online redemption usually only allows one flight credit per passenger.
How to use an American Airlines trip credit for someone else?
You can generally use an American Airlines Trip Credit to book a flight for someone else. Simply search for the flight, proceed to payment, and apply the Trip Credit. The Trip Credit holder can book travel for anyone, unlike Flight Credits.
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How to extend an American Airlines flight credit?
American Airlines generally does not extend flight credits past their original expiration date. It's crucial to use your credit before it expires. In rare, extraordinary circumstances (like major airline-initiated cancellations), exceptions might be made, but this is not a standard policy.
How to transfer an American Airlines flight credit to another person?
American Airlines Flight Credits are generally non-transferable and can only be used by the passenger whose name was on the original ticket. You cannot transfer a Flight Credit to another person.
How to convert an American Airlines flight credit to a trip credit?
When you use a Flight Credit to book a new flight that costs less than the value of your Flight Credit, the remaining balance will automatically be converted and issued to you as a more flexible Trip Credit.
How to find the expiration date of my American Airlines credit?
The expiration date of your American Airlines credit will be stated in the email you received when the credit was issued. You can also find it by logging into your AAdvantage account on aa.com in the "Your Trips" or "Wallet" section, or by contacting American Airlines customer service.
How to use American Airlines credit for baggage fees or seat upgrades?
American Airlines Flight Credits and Trip Credits generally cannot be used for additional fees such as baggage, seat upgrades, Wi-Fi, or other ancillary services. They are primarily for the base airfare and associated taxes and fees.
How to get a cash refund for an American Airlines flight credit?
American Airlines Flight Credits and Trip Credits are generally non-refundable and cannot be converted into cash. They represent a credit for future travel with the airline. Refunds to original form of payment are typically only issued for refundable tickets or in cases of significant airline-initiated schedule changes or cancellations as per DOT regulations.
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