American Airlines’ cancellation policy offers passengers a degree of flexibility, especially within the first 24 hours after booking. If you book your flight at least two days before departure, you can cancel your ticket within 24 hours of purchase and receive a full refund, regardless of whether the ticket is refundable or non-refundable. This 24-hour grace period is designed to allow travelers to reconsider their plans without penalty shortly after booking. Beyond this window, the refund eligibility depends heavily on the type of ticket purchased. Refundable tickets can be canceled at any time before departure for a full refund, while non-refundable tickets generally do not qualify for cash refunds after the 24-hour period. Instead, non-refundable fares can be canceled before departure to receive a flight credit or trip credit that can be applied toward future travel on American Airlines, typically valid for one year from the original ticket issuance date.

When you cancel a trip on the American Airlines website before departure, the airline issues a Trip Credit valid until the date listed on the credit. If you cancel through other channels such as customer service or travel agents, you receive a Flight Credit which usually requires travel to begin within one year of the original ticket date and may involve change fees or fare differences when rebooking. It is important to cancel your ticket before the first flight departs; otherwise, the ticket loses any remaining value and cannot be used for future travel. If American Airlines provides an alternate flight or service, no refund is given, but some ancillary fees such as baggage fees (except those bought online), pet fees, priority boarding, same-day flight changes, standby, and unaccompanied minor fees may be refundable if unused.

American Airlines also provides refunds if the airline cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, such as a change of three or more hours on domestic itineraries or four or more hours internationally, changes in departure or destination airports, downgrades to a lower cabin class, or an increased number of flight connections. In these cases, if you choose not to accept the rebooking offer, you are entitled to a full refund including taxes and fees. However, if you accept the rebooking, you forfeit your right to a refund. Refunds are processed promptly once requested.

To cancel a flight, you can do so online by visiting the American Airlines website, navigating to “Manage Trips,” entering your confirmation code and last name, and following the cancellation prompts. Alternatively, you can call American Airlines reservations or contact your travel agent if you booked through one. Cancellation fees have largely been eliminated for most domestic and international flights in premium cabins and main cabin fares, but non-refundable tickets still convert into credits rather than cash refunds. If you rebook a flight that costs more than your original ticket, you must pay the fare difference; if it costs less, you receive a trip credit for the difference.

In summary, American Airlines allows free cancellation within 24 hours of booking for tickets purchased at least two days before departure. Refundable tickets can be canceled anytime for a full refund, while non-refundable tickets typically receive travel credits valid for one year. Significant schedule changes or cancellations by the airline entitle passengers to full refunds. Passengers can cancel and manage bookings online or via customer service, with fees and refund eligibility depending on fare type and timing.