Are American Airlines Change Fees to Non Refundable Tickets Illegal?

Although most airlines charge change fees for customers who want to reschedule their flights, these fees may not apply to consumers who have made changes to their reservation within 24 hours of purchasing their ticket., or whose flights have been cancelled or changed by the airline. Additionally, many airlines are now offering exceptions to this policy due to the recent coronavirus outbreak.

What is American Airlines’ Policy for Changing or Cancelling Travel Plans?

According to American Airlines, non refundable tickets may be eligible for a refund in specific circumstances. Consumers who cancel or change their reservation within 24 hours of purchasing their tickets may also do so without being assessed a change or cancellation fee.

Additionally, if the airline cancels the flight or changes the time of the flight by more than 61 minutes, consumers may be eligible for a refund. The death of a passenger or travel companion, or military orders may also entitle consumers to receive refunds.

However, according to some consumers, these refunds may not include reimbursement for some fees outside of the cost of the ticket. Other consumers claim that they have been assessed inappropriate change or cancellation fees despite making their changes within the time period outlined by American Airlines’ policy.

Are American Airlines Change Fees to Non Refundable Tickets Illegal?

While it is not illegal to charge a change fee on a non refundable ticket, some consumers claim that American Airlines has violated its own policies by charging change fees for tickets purchased less than 24 hours before the changes were made.

Other consumers have reported not receiving full refunds for cancelled trips. According to some consumers, while American Airlines has refunded the cost of their ticket after they cancelled their travel plans, their ticketing fee has not been refunded.

What are Ticketing Fees?

A ticketing fee of $25 to $50 may be applied to tickets purchased from a live American Airlines employee. This fee is different from the cost of the ticket, and the costs of change fees.

What Are American Airlines Change Fees?

Many airlines, including American Airlines, charge fees to customers who cancel or change their flight plans after they have been booked. Customers who wish to reschedule their flight may be hit with expensive and unexpected American Airlines change fees. These fees may cost around $200, plus any difference in the costs of the original and new flights when the flight is rescheduled by more than 24 hours. However, American Airlines same day change fees may cost less.

American Airlines Same Day Change Fees

American Airlines charges a $75 change fee for flights on the same day. However, the airline’s policies may not allow every ticket holder to change their flight for a fee. Some classes of ticket, including basic economy, may prohibit customers from changing their flights unless specific circumstances warrant the change.

What Are the Rules For Non Refundable Tickets?

Although some tickets are sold as non refundable, passengers who need to cancel or reschedule flights may still be able to avoid change fees on non-refundable tickets. Even if they are outside of the 24 hour period allowing free trip cancellations or changes, consumers may still be able to avoid change fees.

In these cases, it may be best for passengers to wait to change or cancel their ticket until they have determined whether the airline has already made changes to their flight. If the airline makes changes to the flight plan first, passengers may be able to cancel or reschedule without incurring additional costs.

Passengers who have had their flight schedule change may qualify to reschedule their flight without being assessed a change fee. For instance, if your flight was set to depart at noon, and the airline rescheduled the flight to depart at 2 p.m., you may be able to request a change or cancellation without being charged a fee. Other qualifying events that may allow passengers to switch flights without fees include the airline changing the type of plane, a change in the duration of a layover, or a change from a non-stop flight to a flight with a layover.

How Does the Coronavirus Affect Change Fees?

Due to the recent coronavirus outbreak, many airlines are waiving change and cancellation fees for consumers. According to American Airlines, tickets that were purchased before March 1, 2020 for flights through May 31, 2020 may be rebooked without incurring change fees. Additionally, tickets booked between March 1 and April 15 for all future travel can also be changed without fees.

Despite American Airlines’ policies regarding change fees, some consumers have reported being assessed change or cancellation fees when they should not have been. Other consumers may have not received a refund for ticketing fees.

How to Claim Compensation For Unrefunded Fees

If you were not refunded your ticketing fee after cancelling an American Airlines flight, you may be eligible to open an American Airlines investigation. Additionally, consumers who have been assessed change or cancellation fees for trips that were changed within 24 hours of purchase may also qualify to open investigations. Hiring a qualified attorney to review your case may be the first step towards pursuing reimbursement and compensation for these fees.

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If American Airlines charged you improper fees or failed to issue a full refund that you were entitled to receive, you may have a legal claim.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.