Not Refunded Fees on an American Airlines Refundable Ticket?

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, travel has been restricted around the world. This drastic reduction on travel has taken its toll on airlines and customers alike. Airlines are canceling flights to cope with the economic losses of the coronavirus, and in many cases, travelers are having trouble getting refunds for tickets they purchased but were unable to use due to canceled flights. 

American Airlines passengers may not realize that they may be entitled to refunds if their flights were canceled due to COVID-19. Other passengers may have difficulties receiving a refund, or are not receiving compensation for all of the costs related to their ticket. 

Being aware of American Airlines’ canceled flight policy can help, as well as taking steps to document your flight. Having the proper documentation in hand, as well as a knowledge of the cancellation requirements of airlines may help you receive a refund or voucher.

What Is the American Airlines Cancelled Flight Policy?

The Department of Transportation has stressed that airlines do have an obligation to provide a refund, and not just a voucher, to passengers whose flights are canceled. In light of the coronavirus outbreak, the DOT has reminded airlines of this obligation. 

Like many airlines, American Airlines may be advertising attractive offers for free flight changes or reschedules, as opposed to refunds. For example, American Airlines has a policy to waive change fees for passengers who bought a ticket before May 31, 2020 for flights between March 1 and Sept. 30, 2020. If a customer chooses to purchase new tickets between March 1 and May 31 for future travel, these customers are also eligible to change their ticket date for no cost. In these cases, the travel must be completed before December 31, 2021, notes the website.

However, even though these customers are not charged change fees, they may incur additional costs if they change their flight to a more expensive or longer flight in the future — a customer will be charged the difference between the new ticket price and the existing ticket price. 

USA Today explains that the airline’s website does not make it evident that customers are eligible for a refund. Reportedly, even if a customers has managed to locate the refund form, the website makes attempts to dissuade customers from filling out the form, by displaying a popup window saying that customers can use the value of their unused trip in the future, in the form of a voucher.

The airline does have a refund page — customers can either request a refund online or by phone. Customers may experience long wait times as so many other people attempt to get a refund.

Some tickets are an American Airline refundable ticket while others are “nonrefundable” — looking up a ticket on the company’s refund page is a way to find out if you are eligible for a refund in most cases. However, if you have a nonrefundable ticket, your flight was canceled, and your flight is rescheduled by 61 minutes or more, you may eligible for a refund. Such may be the case with flights canceled due to the coronavirus.

What Should an American Airlines Refundable Ticket Include?

The American Airlines website notes that in addition to the cost of a ticket, customers may be eligible for refunds for a range of fees. These fees can include those related to priority seating, preferred seats, pet and baggage fees, Main Cabin Extra seats, fees for same-day flights, and fees relating to tickets for passengers who are now deceased. These fees may be routinely covered in an American Airlines refundable ticket, but may be available to some normally nonrefundable tickets. 

Have You Been Refunded Ticket Fees?

Canceling an American Airlines ticket and getting a refund can be complicated process, particularly during the coronavirus. If you did take a refund, you may be eligible for the cost of your ticket plus other fees. However, if you decided to opt for a voucher, you may be given a more valuable voucher in exchange, explains the New York Times.

What Documentation Do You Need to Claim Compensation?

Filing an American Airlines Lawsuit USA Today urges customers to follow a few guidelines to successfully claim compensation. It is important that customers not cancel flights on their own, or make changes to their flight. Doing either may make you ineligible for a refund, leaving you with only a voucher for future travel. 

Even if an airline does refuse a refund, USA Today recommends noting that the Department of Transportation issued an enforcement notice on April 3 that airlines are indeed obligated to provide refunds to canceled flights. 

Keeping receipts of your travel will be important, whether this be your reservation number, an email confirmation, or the flight number. These pieces of information will help you confirm that you did book a flight and may be eligible for compensation or to join a class action suit.

Join a Free American Airlines Fees Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

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.

Get a Free Case Evaluation

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