Have you found yourself with an American Airlines travel credit and wondered, "How do I actually use this thing?" You're not alone! American Airlines travel credits can be a fantastic way to save on future flights, whether you received one due to a cancelled flight, a change in plans, or as a goodwill gesture. However, navigating the redemption process can sometimes feel a bit like deciphering an ancient scroll. Fear not, fellow traveler! This comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know about adding and utilizing your American Airlines travel credit, ensuring a smooth and stress-free booking experience.
Understanding Your American Airlines Travel Credit: Flight Credit vs. Trip Credit
Before we dive into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand that American Airlines primarily offers two main types of travel credits:
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Flight Credit: This type of credit is typically issued when you cancel or change an unused ticket. It's usually tied to the original passenger named on that ticket and can only be used for that specific individual's future travel. Flight credits generally have a validity of one year from the original ticket issue date.
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Trip Credit: Trip Credits are often more flexible. They can be issued for various reasons, such as a voluntary denied boarding, compensation for service issues, or as the remaining value when exchanging a ticket for a cheaper one. The key advantage of Trip Credit is that the recipient can use it to book and pay for travel for themselves or others. Trip Credits are also typically valid for one year from the issue date.
It's essential to check the specific terms and conditions of your credit, as these can vary based on how and when it was issued. You'll usually find this information in the email American Airlines sent you regarding your credit, or by logging into your AAdvantage account.
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| How To Add American Airlines Travel Credit |
Step 1: Discovering Your American Airlines Travel Credit – Let's Find It Together!
Feeling a bit lost? Don't worry, we've all been there. The first crucial step is locating the details of your travel credit. Without this information, you can't redeem it!
Sub-heading 1.1: The Email Trail
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Check Your Inbox: The most common way to find your travel credit details is through an email from American Airlines. Search your email for keywords like "Flight Credit," "Trip Credit," "Travel Voucher," or "American Airlines Credit." These emails will typically contain a 13-digit ticket number (for Flight Credit) or a unique alphanumeric code (for Trip Credit/Voucher), along with the value and expiration date of your credit.
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Don't Forget Spam/Junk Folders: Sometimes, these important emails can end up in the wrong place. Make sure to check your spam or junk mail folders.
Sub-heading 1.2: Your AAdvantage Account – Your Digital Wallet
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Log In to Your AAdvantage Account: If you're an AAdvantage member (and it's highly recommended you are!), logging into your account is often the easiest way to manage your travel credits.
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Go to the official American Airlines website (aa.com).
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Click on "Log in" and enter your AAdvantage number or username and password.
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Once logged in, look for a section titled "Wallet" or "Travel Credit." This is where American Airlines often stores your available credits, displaying their type, value, and expiration date.
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Sub-heading 1.3: The American Airlines Travel Credit Lookup Tool
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No AAdvantage Account or Email? No Problem! American Airlines provides a tool to look up your travel credit. You'll typically need some information from your original flight or ticket, such as the confirmation code or the 13-digit ticket number.
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Visit the American Airlines website and search for "Travel Credit Lookup" or "Manage Trips."
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Follow the prompts to enter your details and retrieve your credit information.
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QuickTip: Reading carefully once is better than rushing twice.
Step 2: Planning Your Trip with Your Credit in Mind – Maximizing Your Value
Now that you've successfully located your travel credit, it's time for the fun part: planning your next adventure!
Sub-heading 2.1: Understanding Redemption Limitations
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Flights Only: Remember, American Airlines travel credits are generally only redeemable for the base airfare and directly associated taxes, fees, and charges collected as part of the fare calculation. This means they cannot be used for extras like:
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Seat selection fees
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Baggage fees
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Upgrades
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Admirals Club membership or day passes
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In-flight purchases
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Expiration Dates are Key: Pay close attention to the expiration date of your credit. American Airlines is generally strict about these dates, and unused credit typically expires without value. Try to book your travel well before the expiration date.
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Who Can Use It?: Reiterate the distinction:
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Flight Credit: Only the passenger named on the credit can use it.
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Trip Credit: The holder of the Trip Credit can book travel for anyone. This offers great flexibility if you want to use it for family or friends.
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Sub-heading 2.2: Searching for Flights on AA.com
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Start Your Search: Go to aa.com and use the flight search engine as you normally would. Enter your departure and arrival airports, dates, and number of passengers.
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Consider Flexibility: If your travel dates are flexible, consider using American Airlines' "Flexible Dates" option to see if you can find cheaper fares that better align with your credit's value.
Step 3: Applying Your American Airlines Travel Credit During Booking – The Moment of Truth!
This is where your credit comes into play. The process is straightforward, but knowing where to look is key.
Sub-heading 3.1: Reaching the Payment Page
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Select Your Flights: After searching, choose the flights that best suit your needs and proceed through the booking process.
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Enter Passenger Details: Provide all necessary passenger information.
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Navigate to the "Review and Pay" Page: This is the crucial step. As you move towards finalizing your booking, you will eventually reach the payment section.
Sub-heading 3.2: The "Apply Credits" Option
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Look for the "Apply Travel Credit" or "Add Travel Credit" Link/Button: On the "Review and Pay" page, before you enter your credit card details, you will see an option to apply available credits. This might appear as a small link, a button, or a dropdown menu. It's often clearly labeled as "+ Flight Credit" or "+ Trip Credit".
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Enter Your Credit Details:
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For Flight Credit: You'll typically need to enter the 13-digit ticket number from your original flight.
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For Trip Credit/Voucher: You'll enter the unique alphanumeric code provided in your email or AAdvantage Wallet.
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Apply the Credit: Once you've entered the details, click "Apply." The system will then deduct the value of your credit from the total fare.
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
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Sub-heading 3.3: Handling Remaining Balances
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Credit Covers Full Fare: Congratulations! If your travel credit covers the entire cost of your new flight, the remaining balance will be $0. You can then proceed to confirm your booking.
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Credit Does Not Cover Full Fare: If the cost of your new ticket is more than your credit, you will need to pay the remaining balance using a credit card or other accepted payment method.
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Credit Exceeds Full Fare: If the cost of your new ticket is less than the value of your travel credit, American Airlines will typically issue you a new credit for the remaining balance. This new credit will have its own expiration date, so make sure to note it down!
Sub-heading 3.4: Review and Confirm
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Double-Check Everything: Before you finalize your purchase, take a moment to review all the details of your booking, including the flight times, passenger names, and especially that your travel credit has been successfully applied and the correct amount has been deducted.
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Complete the Booking: Once you're satisfied, proceed to complete your booking. You'll receive a confirmation email shortly.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Common Issues – Don't Get Frustrated!
Even with a clear guide, sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are some common issues and how to address them:
Sub-heading 4.1: Credit Not Applying Online
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Incorrect Information: Double-check that you've entered the credit number or ticket number exactly as it appears. Typos are a common culprit.
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Eligibility Issues: Ensure the credit is eligible for the type of fare or destination you've selected. For instance, some Flight Credits might have geographical restrictions.
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Technical Glitch: Occasionally, there might be a temporary technical issue with the website. Try clearing your browser's cache and cookies, or try using a different browser.
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Call American Airlines Customer Service: If you've tried everything and your credit still isn't applying, do not hesitate to call American Airlines customer service. Their agents can often manually apply credits or troubleshoot specific issues. Have your credit details and desired flight information ready.
Sub-heading 4.2: Expired Credit
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Strict Policy: American Airlines generally has a strict policy regarding expired credits. In most cases, if your credit has expired, its value is forfeited.
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Exceptional Circumstances: In rare cases, such as verifiable medical emergencies or significant unforeseen circumstances, American Airlines might consider an extension. It's always worth a polite call to customer service to explain your situation, but be prepared that an extension is not guaranteed.
Sub-heading 4.3: Transferability Concerns
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Flight Credit (Non-Transferable): If you're trying to use a Flight Credit for someone other than the original passenger, it generally won't work.
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Trip Credit (Transferable): If you have a Trip Credit and are still facing issues using it for another person, ensure you're following the correct steps or contact customer service for clarification.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
Here are 10 common questions about American Airlines travel credits, with quick answers:
How to check my American Airlines travel credit balance?
You can check your balance by logging into your AAdvantage account and navigating to the "Wallet" or "Travel Credit" section, or by referring to the email American Airlines sent you with your credit details.
How to use multiple American Airlines travel credits for one booking?
For Trip Credits, you can often use up to eight credits for a single passenger reservation on AA.com. For Flight Credits, typically only one can be used per passenger online; for more, you may need to call American Airlines Reservations.
How to use an American Airlines travel credit if I'm not an AAdvantage member?
You can still use your travel credit by entering the relevant details (ticket number or code) during the payment process on aa.com, even without an AAdvantage account. However, creating an AAdvantage account makes managing credits easier.
How to extend an American Airlines travel credit?
American Airlines generally does not extend expired travel credits. In very rare, extenuating circumstances, you might be able to request an exception by contacting customer service, but it's not guaranteed.
QuickTip: Save your favorite part of this post.
How to use American Airlines travel credit for international flights?
Most American Airlines Trip Credits can be used for international flights originating in the U.S. Flight Credits are typically valid for flights marketed and operated by American Airlines or its codeshare/oneworld partners. Always check the specific terms of your credit.
How to use American Airlines travel credit for baggage fees or seat selection?
American Airlines travel credits (both Flight and Trip Credits) cannot be used to pay for extras like baggage fees, seat selection, upgrades, or in-flight purchases. They are strictly for airfare.
How to tell the difference between Flight Credit and Trip Credit?
Flight Credit is typically tied to an unused ticket and the original passenger. Trip Credit is more flexible, can be used by the recipient for anyone, and is often issued as compensation or remaining value from a ticket exchange. Check your credit email for specific details.
How to get a new travel credit if my original flight was cheaper than my credit?
If your new ticket is less than the value of your American Airlines travel credit, the remaining balance will typically be issued as a new credit for future use.
How to use an American Airlines travel credit if I booked through a third party (e.g., Expedia)?
If your original booking was made through a third-party site, you might need to contact that third party first to understand their policy on rebooking with American Airlines credits, or you may need to contact American Airlines directly with your original ticket number.
How to contact American Airlines customer service for travel credit issues?
You can find American Airlines customer service contact information on their official website (aa.com) under the "Contact Us" or "Customer Service" sections. Having your travel credit details ready will help them assist you more efficiently.
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