How to Cancel a Flight on American Airlines (2025 Update) | Refunds, Credits & Policy Explained

How to Cancel a Flight on American Airlines (2025 Update) | Refunds, Credits & Policy Explained

Plans change — and when they do, American Airlines makes it easy to cancel your flight and explore refund or credit options. Whether you're canceling a domestic trip, international journey, or award booking, here’s your complete 2025 guide to canceling an American Airlines flight.

If you prefer to cancel by phone, call ⭐☎️ +1 (855) 235-1276 to speak with a live American Airlines representative.

Can You Cancel an American Airlines Flight?

Yes — American Airlines allows you to cancel most tickets either online, via their app, or over the phone.

Depending on your ticket type, you may be eligible for:

A full refund

A trip credit

Or no refund (for Basic Economy)

How to Cancel a Flight on American Airlines
🖥️ Option 1: Cancel Online

Visit aa.com

Click “Manage Trips”

Enter your record locator and last name

Choose the trip you want to cancel

Click “Cancel Trip”

Follow prompts to receive credit or refund if eligible

You’ll receive a confirmation email and, if applicable, a Trip Credit number for future travel.

📱 Option 2: Cancel via the American Airlines App

Open the app

Go to “My Trips”

Select the flight

Tap “Cancel Flight”

Follow instructions based on your fare type

☎️ Option 3: Cancel by Phone (Best for Refunds or International)

For complex bookings, partner airline itineraries, or special circumstances, call ⭐☎️ +1 (855) 235-1276 to speak to a live agent.

They can:

Walk you through refund eligibility

Help with AAdvantage mileage re-deposits

Cancel multi-city or international itineraries

Issue Trip Credit for future use

American Airlines Flight Cancellation Policy (2025)
✅ 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation

All American Airlines tickets — including Basic Economy — can be canceled within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, as long as the flight is:

Booked at least 2 days before departure

Cancelled within 24 hours

💡 Call ⭐☎️ +1 (855) 235-1276 for help canceling within the risk-free window.

🚫 Basic Economy Tickets

Non-refundable and non-changeable after 24 hours

No credit or refund unless:

The flight was canceled by American Airlines

You qualify under a special exception (illness, military orders, etc.)

💺 Main Cabin, Premium Economy, Business, and First Class

Can be canceled any time before departure

Eligible for Trip Credit

No cancellation fees on most U.S. domestic and short-haul international tickets

✈️ Award Tickets (Booked with AAdvantage Miles)

Can be canceled with no fees

Miles are re-deposited automatically

Taxes/fees refunded to your original form of payment

For help canceling an award ticket, call ⭐☎️ +1 (855) 235-1276.

What Happens After You Cancel?

Depending on the fare type, you’ll get either:

🎫 Trip Credit

Valid for 1 year from the date of issue

Can be used for future flights

Non-transferable (only for the original traveler)

💳 Refund

Processed back to your original payment method

Takes up to 7 business days (credit card)

Longer for debit cards or bank accounts

Can You Cancel Just One Leg of a Multi-City Trip?

Yes — if your trip includes multiple segments (e.g. New York ➜ Miami ➜ Los Angeles), you may cancel one portion. However, doing this online can be tricky.

📞 Call ⭐☎️ +1 (855) 235-1276 for help canceling specific segments without affecting the rest of your trip.

How to Cancel an American Airlines Flight for Another Person

You can cancel on behalf of another traveler if you have:

Their record locator

Their last name

Access to the email used for booking (for refund/credit notifications)

For minors, elderly passengers, or group reservations, it’s best to call ⭐☎️ +1 (855) 235-1276 for secure cancellation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I cancel a flight on the day of departure?
A: Yes, but you may forfeit the ticket value if it's a Basic Economy fare. For refundable tickets, cancellation is possible any time before departure.

Q: How long are Trip Credits valid?
A: Typically one year from the date of issue. Must be used by the original traveler.

Q: Can I cancel an AA flight booked with miles?
A: Yes. Miles are refunded automatically and taxes are returned to your original payment method.

Q: Will I get a full refund?
A: Only if:

You cancel within the 24-hour risk-free window

Your ticket is fully refundable

The airline canceled or significantly changed your flight

Q: What if my American Airlines flight is canceled by the airline?
A: You’re entitled to:

A full refund, or

A free rebooking on the next available flight

Call ⭐☎️ +1 (855) 235-1276 to get rebooked or refunded quickly.

Final Thoughts: Cancel Your American Airlines Flight With Confidence

Canceling a flight doesn’t have to be stressful. American Airlines gives you multiple options — online, via the app, or by speaking to a real person. Whether you’re eligible for a refund, a trip credit, or just want to avoid a no-show, it pays to cancel early and correctly.

Still have questions? Call ⭐☎️ +1 (855) 235-1276 to cancel your American Airlines flight today and explore your options with a live agent.