How Do I Cancel My American Airlines Flight and Get a Refund or Credit?

Introduction

American Airlines offers both refundable and nonrefundable tickets. If you purchased a refundable ticket, you can change or cancel your flight and receive a refund. Nonrefundable tickets can also be canceled, but a refund may not always be possible. American Airlines may issue a full refund if the cancellation is made within 24 hours of purchase and the reservation was booked at least two days before departure. After 24 hours, non-refundable tickets may no longer be refunded. If you're planning to cancel your flight, continue reading for step-by-step instructions on how to request a refund.

Find Your Trip and Cancel It

Do you have your confirmation code with you? You can use American Airlines' Find Your Trip tool to locate and manage your reservation online. Simply enter the required information and click Find Your Trip. Once your itinerary appears, select Cancel Trip and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cancellation process.

If your ticket is non-refundable, we highly suggest you cancel within 24 hours to receive a refund. Did you purchase bags and seats? You can also request a refund for them. Use the next step.

Request a Refund for Flight Extras

Did you purchase other services along with your flight? You can request a refund for them using this form. Do note that bags and seats have different ticket numbers. We suggest you check your confirmation emails or call American Airlines for the ticket numbers. To cancel and receive a refund, just enter your last name and ticket number. Then, click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you purchased a nonrefundable ticket but are unable to travel due to a medical condition, you may still be eligible for a refund. American Airlines may consider refund requests involving serious illnesses or communicable diseases. However, you'll need to ask your doctor to complete and sign a form. We suggest contacting American Airlines for more information about traveling while sick.

Contact American Airlines

You can also cancel your American Airlines flight by contacting the airline directly. Before calling, have your confirmation code or ticket number ready to help the representative locate your reservation more quickly. Simply call the customer service number shown in the screenshot and follow the prompts to speak with a representative about canceling your flight.

After canceling your flight, use the online form to check the status of your refund.

Check the Refund Status

To check the status of your refund, just enter your ticket number and last name, and click Search.

Please note that if you purchased your ticket through a third-party website or a travel agency, you must contact that company directly for cancellations and refunds. American Airlines only handles refund requests for tickets purchased directly through its website, mobile app, reservations department, or airport ticket counters.

Conclusion

Were you able to cancel your flight? Refunds are usually sent to the original payment method, and you can check their status online. American Airlines can also issue trip credits, which you can use for future travel, and their validity will be listed on the trip credit. However, do note that fare rules still apply. For non-refundable tickets, you still need to cancel within 24 hours, and the ticket must be booked at least 2 days before the flight. Do you still need help with canceling a flight and receiving a refund? Contact American Airlines Customer Support today.