Back in April, American changed the definition of what constitutes an award change.
American has always allowed free date changes on awards, except for web specials. Now they will consider date changes to be like all other changes, except for changes to a higher cabin on the same flights which will remain free.
If you book an award today, all date changes and cancellations, including redepositing awards, will be free. That includes partner awards and web special awards.
Plus, this hack to view the legacy award calendar is still working.
Starting tomorrow, this is what all changes and cancellations will cost if you’re traveling after 9/30/20.
You’ll still be able to book awards after today and make free changes and cancellations for travel through 9/30/20.
The good news is that cancellations made 60+ days in advance will be free.
The bad news is that aside from the loss of free date changes, there will no longer be a discount if you redeposit multiple awards at the same time. Previously it cost $150 to redeposit an award but just $25 to redeposit additional awards, but now you’ll pay the full fee on each ticket. These changes are terrible news for families traveling together on awards tickets as it will now be much more expensive to redeposit awards within 60 days of departure.
More bad news is that while routing changes were previously free, which meant you could switch to a nonstop flight if one opened for mileage availability, that will be now cost extra within 60 days of departure.
Will you book any AA awards today?
Are these fees waived when you have a frequent traveler status with American/OneWorld?
See the chart in the post.
Are web specials still cancellable for free starting July 1 (assuming it’s 60 days prior)?
Yes.
And they are still free within 60 days if you book after today and are traveling by 9/30/20.
direct awards to TLV from USA available? what airport? is it HOU?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/american-will-delay-return-tel-aviv-entire-year-due-coronavirus/
Are web special award booked today refundable at all?
Yes, for free.
When i try to book, it says web special awards can’t be refunded.
No, it says it can’t be changed, but can be cancelled.
Ahh. Good point. Thanks.
Does this apply to booking using miles earned from AA card with a free companion pass?
Dan, How comes there’s no post about the EU ban on US citizens?
Been banned for months, no?
there was no ban officially on us citizens, like there’s been today! Belgium, Netherlands and a lot of others were letting US citizens in, same with transit, from today they can’t! 27 passengers were denied boarding a KLM flight yesterday in JFK, even they only flew in transit
So if they aren’t refundable, what happens if I cancel? I would like to book tickets for October if they are cancelable in that I get my miles and money back. Will I?
Not following, sorry.
If you book awards today they are refundable for free.
Oh I was looking at a previous comment but it’s specifically about web specials. My mistake. How do I know if it’s a web special vs. a standard deal?
It makes no difference, either award can be refunded.
Okay, great. It’s a web special it says and I’m booking now. Thank you for replying so quickly!
Enjoy!
I am not sure if I am following because I called American twice and they both said that if you book tonight if you are booking awards for after 9/30 you will have to pay the $150/$25 cancellation fee if you cancel where as if you book for after then tomorrow then won’t be able to change dates but can cancel ticket for free if 60 days out. Neither of them knew about this free cancelling if booked by 6/30 for after 9/30, can you explain please? Thanks
Click the link in the post.
I did, where does it say that cancellations are free, I know you can make date changes but I don’t see anything about free cancellations.
Forget it, I found the info. Thanks.
Dan, I booked web special awards back in March for travel in aug 2020.. can I still cancel for no fee closer to departure date?
Yes.
just a note
it appears from their website that you can change or cancel the award ticket for free but you cannot change and then cancel
Hi Dan, two questions.
1. I booked a web special trip to LAS around Christmas, back in March. will I be able to cancel them for free?
2. i am thinking to extend that trip, but do not want to cancel the existing tickets for now. If I book separate tickets today, can the new tickets be cancelled for free?
thanks.
Yes.
Yes.
do u think if AA would allow me to have these 4 trips?
12/18 NYC->LAS (new)
12/23 NYC->LAS (original)
12/27 LAS->NYC (original)
1/3 PHX -> NYC (new)
Sure.
what if Allen books another trip for the same day of 12/18, strategically, say, NYC->SFO, thinking to cancel one later? would that be allowed?
Not allowed.
they are 4 one-way trips
Dan, do these rules apply to international flights as well?
Yes.
off peak to europe. will there be an increase from the 22.5k to 30k if i move it into the peak dates?
Yes.
I don’t see on the award travel page of aa.com any mention of free changes and cancellations for travel through 9/30/20, if booked after June 30. AA appears to be charging for cancelling any flight booked after 6/30, unless more than 60 days out.
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/coronavirus-updates.jsp
Is it too late to book and cancel a trip just to extend mile expiration (no fees & still getting my miles back)?
Similar question. If I book an AA award ticket and later cancel , redeposit miles for free — will that extend the expiration date of my AA miles?