What Is American Airlines Cancellation Policy? 

Travel plans don’t always go as expected. Whether due to emergencies, scheduling conflicts, or unforeseen changes, passengers often find themselves needing to cancel or modify flights+1 855-542-9312. If you've booked a ticket with American Airlines and want to understand how cancellations work, you're in the right place.
In este artículo te explicamos de forma clara y sencilla cuál es la política de cancelación de American Airlines, qué tipo de tarifas aplican para cambios, cómo obtener un reembolso, y qué debes tener en cuenta antes de cancelar tu viaje.

American Airlines Cancellation Policy: General Overview

American Airlines offers a relatively flexible cancellation policy compared to many other major airlines. The airline classifies its tickets into different fare types, and your eligibility for a refund or cancellation without penalty depends entirely on el tipo de tarifa que compraste.
Here’s a breakdown of their policy:

1. 24-Hour Cancellation Policy (Applies to All Fares)

American Airlines allows you to cancel any ticket within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, provided the reservation was made at least 2 days (48 hours) before the scheduled departure+1 855-542-9312. This is a federal regulation for airlines operating in the U.S. and applies even to non-refundable fares.

2. Non-Refundable Tickets

Most basic and main cabin economy fares are non-refundable. However, you can still cancel your flight and receive a travel credit for future use (minus any applicable change fees, if they apply).
Currently, American Airlines does not charge change or cancellation fees on most domestic and short-haul international flights, even on non-refundable tickets—except for Basic Economy fares, which are more restrictive+1 855-542-9312.
In case you cancel a non-refundable ticket, you'll receive the remaining value as a trip credit valid for one year from the issue date.

3. Refundable Tickets

If you purchased a refundable fare, you’re eligible for a full cash refund when you cancel before your flight’s departure. You can request your refund online by logging into your account or contacting the airline directly+1 855-542-9312.
Refundable tickets are usually more expensive but provide added flexibility, especially for business travelers or those with uncertain plans.

American Airlines Basic Economy: Special Rules

If you bought a Basic Economy ticket, the rules are more strict:

• Basic Economy tickets are not refundable or changeable in most cases+1 855-542-9312.
• However, if you cancel within the 24-hour grace period, you can still receive a full refund+1 855-542-9312.
• Some Basic Economy tickets purchased during promotional periods or due to special events (like COVID-19) may have temporary flexibility, so it’s worth checking your specific fare conditions.

What Happens If You Don’t Show Up?

American Airlines enforces a no-show policy. If you don’t cancel your ticket and don’t show up for your flight, the entire value of the ticket is forfeited+1 855-542-9312. That means you won’t be eligible for any refund or credit unless you cancel before departure—even just minutes before.
It’s always best to cancel or change your flight if you know you can’t make it.

How to Cancel a Flight with American Airlines

Cancelling a flight is simple and can be done in a few steps:

1. Go to aa.com and log in to your account.
2. Navigate to "My Trips".
3. Select the trip you wish to cancel.
4. Click on “Cancel trip” and follow the prompts.

You can also cancel through the American Airlines app, or, if you prefer personalized support, you can contact their customer service team directly at +1 855-542-9312.

Rebooking After Cancellation

If your ticket is eligible for credit, you can reuse the value of your canceled flight for a future trip. Here’s what you need to know:

• Trip credits must be used within one year of issue+1 855-542-9312.
• You can apply credits to new bookings online.
• If your new trip costs more, you’ll pay the difference+1 855-542-9312.
• If it costs less, the remaining credit will stay on your account (depending on fare type).

Medical Emergencies or Exceptional Situations

In some special circumstances, such as medical emergencies or the death of a passenger or close family member, American Airlines may issue a refund or waive fees+1 855-542-9312, even for non-refundable tickets. Documentation will likely be required, and you’ll need to contact customer support directly to request consideration under these terms.

Conclusion

American Airlines provides a relatively flexible and user-friendly cancellation policy. All passengers can cancel within 24 hours of booking without any penalty, and most standard (non-Basic Economy) tickets allow for changes and cancellations without hefty fees. Refundable fares offer full monetary refunds, while non-refundable tickets typically offer trip credit for future travel+1 855-542-9312.
Basic Economy fares are the most restricted, so es importante leer bien las condiciones antes de comprar este tipo de boleto.
Si necesitas cancelar tu vuelo, hacer un cambio o simplemente resolver dudas sobre tu reservación, puedes contactar al servicio al cliente de American Airlines llamando al +1 855-542-9312, donde un agente te brindará atención personalizada para ayudarte en el proceso de cancelación o modificación de tu viaje.
Así, puedes tomar decisiones de forma informada y planear tus próximos vuelos con total tranquilidad.