American Airlines must refund a cancelled flight to your card within 7 business days
If American cancels or significantly changes your flight and you don't take the alternative, it owes a cash refund to your original payment3. Card refunds are due within 7 business days and other payments within 20 days. Cancelling a non-refundable ticket yourself gets you a credit. Request refunds at aa.com/refunds.
Key facts, with sources and dates
- Under 14 CFR 260.2 a refund that is owed is due within 7 business days on a card and 20 calendar days for other payments (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)3.
- American says card refunds are processed within 7 business days of receiving the request and required information, and cash or cheque refunds within 20 business days (American Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- A ticket bought at least 7 days before departure can be refunded within 24 hours of purchase (American Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- The DOT refunds page, last updated on 7 November 2025, says non-refundable tickets are covered when the airline cancels (US DOT, checked 15 November 2026)4.
- An airline must acknowledge a written complaint within 30 days and answer within 60 days under 14 CFR 259.7 (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)5.
American refunds, credits and fee refunds side by side
What you get depends on who cancelled and what kind of ticket you hold.
| Situation | What you get | Conditions | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| American cancels or significantly changes the flight, and you don't travel | Full refund of fare, taxes and paid extras to your original payment | Any cause. 3 hours domestic, 6 international | 14 CFR 260.6 |
| You cancel within 24 hours of buying | Full refund | Bought on aa.com or by phone at least 7 days before departure; group blocks excluded | American customer service plan |
| You cancel a refundable fare | Refund to your original payment | Before the flight leaves | Fare rules |
| You cancel a non-refundable fare | Trip Credit or Flight Credit | Before the flight leaves; a no-show loses the value | American travel credit terms |
| You cancel an award ticket | Miles back and eligible taxes refunded, no fee | Before the first flight, up to 1 year after issue | American customer service plan |
| Your checked bag arrives 12 hours late (domestic) | Bag fee refunded | File a delayed bag report | 14 CFR 260.5 |
| You were bumped from an oversold flight | Cash compensation up to US$2,150 plus unused fees | Involuntary only | 14 CFR 250.5 |
Federal rules from the eCFR as at 12 November 2026; American policy read on its own pages, 15 November 2026.
Can I get a refund from American Airlines?
Yes, in cash, when American cancels or significantly changes the flight and you don't travel3. The cause makes no difference, so weather and air traffic control cancellations count. Offered a credit instead? You can refuse it; compare the credit types on the American flight credit page.
How long does an AA refund usually take?
American says card refunds are processed within 7 business days of receiving the request and required information, and cash or cheque refunds within 20 business days (American Airlines, checked 15 November 2026)1.
Federal rules count from the day the refund became due: 7 business days on a card and 20 calendar days for other payments3. The refund checker counts the date for you.
Refunds for delayed flights
A delay of 3 hours or more on a domestic trip, or 6 international, makes the fare refundable if you choose not to fly. If you took the rebooking or flew the delayed flight, American's form says you are not eligible for a refund of that ticket2. Hotel, transport and meal costs can still be sent for review when the disruption was within American's control.
Booked through a travel agent or with miles
A ticket bought through a travel agency or another booking source is refunded by that seller1. Award tickets can be cancelled before the first flight for the miles back and eligible taxes refunded1.
How do I request an American Airlines refund?
- Find the ticket number. Every ticket number needs its own request; seats and bags have separate ticket numbers.
- Use the refund form. Go to aa.com/refunds, enter the trip details and continue. You can also call Reservations or write.
- Say why you are owed it. Name the cancellation or significant change and that you did not travel or accept a credit.
- Check the status. The same form shows the status of a request you have sent.
- Escalate if it is late. Write to American the day after the deadline, then file with DOT.
Steps from American's own refund pages1. Open the refund form.
If the refund doesn't arrive
Write to American the day after the deadline with the booking reference, ticket number and the date the refund was due. It must acknowledge within 30 days and answer within 605. Then file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation. A card chargeback is a last step to discuss with your card issuer.
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.6 No US airline's page offered hotels or meals that day7.
Questions people ask
Can I get a refund from American Airlines?
Yes, in cash, if American cancelled or significantly changed your flight and you did not travel. Also within 24 hours of buying a ticket at least 7 days before departure, and for refundable fares.
How long does an AA refund usually take?
American says 7 business days for a card and 20 business days for cash or cheque, from receiving the request. Federal rules set 7 business days on a card and 20 calendar days otherwise.
Can I get my money back if I cancel my flight?
Only on a refundable fare, or within 24 hours of buying a ticket at least 7 days before departure. A non-refundable fare cancelled later becomes a credit.
What is the AA refund policy?
Refunds go to the original card. Eligible taxes are refunded. Tickets and optional services expire 1 year from issue, so request before then. One request per ticket number.
Does American refund a delayed flight?
Yes, if the delay reached 3 hours domestic or 6 international and you chose not to fly.
What if my American refund does not arrive?
Write to American with the booking and the due date; it must acknowledge within 30 days and answer within 60. Then file with the US Department of Transportation.
More on refunds, credits and compensation
Sources
7 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, Customer service plan (updated 26 August 2026) Checked at source
- American Airlines, Refund request form Checked at source
- eCFR, 14 CFR Part 260 (Refunds), as at 12 November 2026 Checked at source
- US DOT, Refunds (last updated 7 November 2025) Checked at source
- eCFR, 14 CFR 259.7(c), as at 12 November 2026 Checked at source
- American Airlines travel alert Checked at source · methodology ref 51
- American Airlines Newsroom Checked at source · methodology ref 348