American Airlines has three kinds of credit, and each one expires on a different rule
American issues three kinds of credit: Trip Credit, Flight Credit and Travel Vouchers1. Flight Credit comes from an unused ticket and only the named passenger can use it. Trip Credit and vouchers can book travel for anyone. When American cancels your flight, you can refuse the credit and take a cash refund.
Key facts, with sources and dates
- Flight Credit must be used for travel that begins within 1 year of the original ticket issue date (American Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- Trip Credit issued on or after 2 April 2024 lasts 12 months for AAdvantage members who cancel online with their number on the booking, and 6 months for non-members (American Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- A Travel Voucher is valid for 1 year from the date it was issued (American Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- Credits from a qualifying delay or cancellation are valid for 5 years under DOT requirements, American says (American Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- Trip Credit can pay for flights and online bags and cannot pay for seats; up to 8 can go on one reservation on aa.com (American Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- A credit offered explicitly in place of a refund that is owed must stay valid for at least 5 years under 14 CFR 260.6(c)(2) (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)2.
Flight credit, trip credit and vouchers compared
American's own table, set out side by side1. None of them can be cashed in, except where the law requires it1.
| Credit | Issued for | Who can use it | Expiry | Pays for | How to find it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trip Credit | Cancelled tickets, significant delays, compensation, refunds, the value left after an exchange, some bag and upgrade charges | The holder, booking for anyone | Until 11:59pm CT on the date on the credit; 12 months (members) or 6 months (non-members) for credit issued from 2 April 2024 | Flights and online bags. Not seats | Log in, Travel credit; or the "Your Trip Credit" email (13-digit number starting 001) |
| Flight Credit | Unused tickets | Only the passenger named on it | Travel must begin within 1 year of the original ticket issue date | Flights. Not seats. 1 per booking on aa.com | Manage trips, View travel credits, with the confirmation code or ticket number |
| Travel Voucher | Paper voucher | The holder, booking for anyone | 1 year from the date issued | Flights only. Up to 8 per reservation | Contact Reservations |
| Any of the three, from a qualifying delay or cancellation | Eligible disrupted flights | As above | 5 years from the delay or cancellation, per DOT requirements | As above | As above |
American Airlines travel credit page and credit terms, read 15 November 2026.
How does flight credit work on American Airlines?
A Flight Credit holds the value of a ticket you didn't use. It belongs to the passenger named on it, pays for that person's flights only, and travel must start within a year of when the original ticket was issued1. On aa.com it applies to flights within the US, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, in US dollars; one credit per booking online, two through Reservations.
A Trip Credit works more like store credit. The holder can book anyone, and up to 8 credits can go on one booking1.
How do I find my American Airlines travel credit?
- Find the confirmation code or ticket number. The 6-character confirmation code or the 13-digit ticket number starting 001. Seats, upgrades and bags have their own ticket numbers.
- Open the credit on aa.com. Choose Manage trips / Check-in, then View travel credits, and enter the code or ticket number. AAdvantage members can log in and choose Travel credit.
- Copy the credit number. The Your trip page shows the Flight Credit details and number.
- Book and apply it. Book the new flight and on the Review and pay page choose Add travel credit, then pay any balance.
Steps as set out on American's travel credit page1. Find your trip on aa.com.
Can I cancel my American Airlines flight and get a travel credit?
Yes, for most fares, if you cancel before the first flight departs; a no-show loses the ticket's value1. Tickets bought on aa.com or through Reservations at least 7 days before departure can be cancelled for a full refund within 24 hours of purchase3.
Award tickets cancelled before departure get the miles back and eligible taxes refunded, with no fee3.
When American cancels, you can refuse the credit and take the cash
If American cancels your flight or changes it significantly (3 hours or more on a domestic trip, 6 international, a different airport, an extra stop or a downgrade) and you don't travel, the fare, taxes and paid extras come back to your original payment. The cause makes no difference2.
A credit counts only if you agree to it. If one is offered explicitly in place of the refund, federal rules say it must last at least 5 years2. Ask in writing for the refund to your card; it is due within 7 business days, or 20 days for other payments.
What American offered on 13 November 2026
On 13 November 2026, after the FAA ground stop, American posted a waiver: Waived change fees at 21 airports for travel 13 to 15 November, with a refund option. Rebooked travel ran to 18 November.4 No US airline's page offered hotels or meals that day5.
For the refund itself, see American Airlines refunds.
A bump paid in credit is your choice to make
If American bumps you from an oversold flight against your will, the rule pays cash or a cheque, up to US$2,150. A credit can replace it only if it is worth at least as much and you are told you can take the cash6. The bumped flight page works out the amount.
Questions people ask
How does flight credit work on American Airlines?
Flight Credit holds the value of an unused ticket for the named passenger. Travel must begin within 1 year of the original ticket issue date, and it pays for flights only.
Can I cancel my American Airlines flight and get a travel credit?
Yes for most fares, if you cancel before the flight leaves. A no-show loses the ticket value. If American cancelled the flight, you can ask for a cash refund.
How do I get credit for my American Airlines flight?
Cancel the trip on aa.com or in the app before departure. The credit appears under Manage trips, View travel credits, with your confirmation code or ticket number.
Do I get flight credits if I cancel my flight?
Usually a credit, for a non-refundable fare. A refundable fare, or a cancellation within 24 hours of buying a ticket at least 7 days before departure, gets the money back.
Do American Airlines credits expire?
Yes. Flight Credit: travel must start within 1 year of the original ticket. Trip Credit: the date on the credit. Vouchers: 1 year. Credits from a qualifying disruption: 5 years.
Can someone else use my American Airlines credit?
A Trip Credit or Travel Voucher holder can book for anyone. A Flight Credit can be used only by the passenger named on it.
What is the difference between American trip credit and flight credit?
Trip Credit can be spent by its holder on anyone's flight and on bags. Flight Credit is tied to the passenger named on the cancelled ticket.
More on refunds, credits and compensation
Sources
6 sources
Every figure links to its source. "Checked at source" means the airline's own page, the law or the regulator's page was read on 15 November 2026. Airline policies change; the date on each source is the date it was read.
- American Airlines, Travel credit page Checked at source
- eCFR, 14 CFR 260.6(c)(2), as at 12 November 2026 Checked at source
- American Airlines, Customer service plan (updated 26 August 2026) Checked at source
- American Airlines travel alert Checked at source · methodology ref 51
- American Airlines Newsroom Checked at source · methodology ref 348
- eCFR, 14 CFR 250.5(c), as at 12 November 2026 Checked at source