Whether you are booking flight tickets or canceling a reserved one, it is required to pay the necessary fees. But booking with American Airlines can help you avoid paying the flight cancellation charges. How? The airline has 24 hour cancellation policy that benefits travelers who make their cancellation within a day of the ticket purchase or at least two days before the scheduled flight departure. 

These benefits include receiving a full refund in the original form of payment and avoiding paying an “American Airline cancellation fee.” Generally, AA does not impose a penalty for a flight cancellation that is made on time. But once the grace period is over, it becomes the subject of a penalty and required action. 

How To Avoid American Airlines Cancellation Fee?

One of the best ways to avoid the AA cancellation fee is to initiate the process within a day of the purchase or, if possible, at least two days before the scheduled departure. AA created a policy of 24 Hour cancellation, which permits all ticket types to receive a refund and avoid paying the “American Airline cancellation fee.” 

What Is American Airlines 24 Hour Cancellation Policy?

As aforementioned, or the policy name suggests, any ticket that is cancelled within a given time frame, particularly within a day of its purchase, is eligible to make a request for a refund. Scroll down to know the major rules covered in the AA 24-Hour cancellation policy:

• Any ticket type, including the basic economy ticket, is eligible to request a refund if the cancellation process is initiated within 24 hours of the purchase. 
• If the reservation is cancelled after the grace period has expired, the traveler must pay an “American Airline cancellation fee.”
• The AA 24-hour cancellation policy only works when the flight ticket is directly booked with American Airlines. 

What If An American Airlines Ticket Cancellation Is Made After 24 Hour? 

American Airlines offers great flexibility in canceling tickets. The airline also provides refunds to travelers who initiate the process within a given timeframe, which is typically the day of the original ticket purchase. Even a basic economy ticket can receive a refund in its original form of payment without incurring any cancellation charges. However, if the ticket is cancelled after 24 hours, an “American Airline cancellation fee” will be imposed.  

Here is the breakdown of the American Cancellation Fee:

• A refundable ticket is not required to pay the cancellation fee even after the grace period of 24 hour is complete.
• A basic economy ticket needs to pay $99 fee after crossing the 24-hour mark.
• No cancellation charges are imposed on an Award (Miles) ticket even after a request is made after 24 hours but before the departure date. 

This breakdown shows that the airline offers flexibility to travelers who cancel their tickets. The only condition is that the request be made within a given time frame, which is typically the day of the original ticket purchase. However, refundable tickets can be cancelled anytime without paying an “American Airline cancellation fee.” Still, it is advisable to check the details on the official website or by contacting the airline directly at their customer support number. 

How To Cancel an American Ticket And Pay The Cancellation Fee?

A traveler can cancel a ticket booked with American Airlines using several methods, such as the official website, contacting them over the phone, or visiting the airport. Below are the steps that are typically used to cancel the American ticket:

Online Method: Via Website

• Step 1: Appear on the main website of American Airlines.
• Step 2: Log in to your AAdvantage account.
• Step 3: Find the specific flight reservation you are looking to cancel.
• Step 4: Search for the cancellation option within the reservation details.
• Step 5: Once you spot the option, take action by clicking on it.
• Step 6:  Follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation process.
• Step 7: Pay the “American Airline cancelllation fee” if showing on the screen.
• Step 8: The system will share the information regarding the refund or travel credit if eligible. 
• Step 9: Wait to get an official confirmation regarding the cancellation of the American ticket. 

Offline Method: Over the Phone

• You can contact American Airlines customer service about cancelling the ticket by dialing 800-433-7300. If the line is busy, you can also call the consolidation desk at +1-800-633-0441. 
• Wait for the AA customer executive to pick up the phone, but before that, keep your booking details with you. 
• Once the line is connected, ask the airline’s customer executive to begin the process of canceling your ticket.
• The executive will ask the reason for the cancellation and ask you to share the booking details so that they can access the reservation information.
• Once the AA customer executive retrieves the booking details, they will share complete information regarding the cancellation policy and inform you whether your ticket requires paying an “American Airline cancellation fee” or not.   
• Once you signal to cancel the reservation, the airline’s customer executive will complete the action and email the confirmation.

If your ticket is eligible for a full refund or travel credit, you must wait 7-20 business days. A cancellation made within a day of the booking will receive a complete refund in the original form of payment. Other than that, the cancellation can be made by visiting the airport. Just go to your nearby airport, share your query regarding the flight cancellation at check-in, and provide the details as asked. 

Conclusion

American Airlines typically does not charge a cancellation fee if the request is made within a day of the booking or at least seven days before the departure date. However, if the traveler doesn't want to pay the cancellation fee, they can cancel the ticket two days before the flight departure. To collect more information or to initiate the cancellation process, call the airline directly at 800-433-7300. Meanwhile, a travel expert can provide the details regarding the ticket cancellation, penalty, or 

“American Airlines AAdvantage name change on ticket” at +1-800-633-0441.