How to Use an American Airlines Flight Credit

If you've previously canceled an American Airlines flight, you may be wondering how to use American Airlines flight credits or how to use American airlines trip credits. The good news is that redeeming flight credits and trip credits to book American Airlines flights is quick and easy.

Before learning more about each, including how to redeem these American Airlines credits, you’ll want to understand how flight credits and trip credits are earned and how these travel credits function.

Here's a look at how to use an American Airlines flight credit.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

American Airlines issues flight credit for unused or canceled tickets. This type of compensation is different from trip credits because flight credits can generally be used for the passenger whose name was on the original ticket only.

Here's what you need to know about flight credits:

• You can use these credits for flights only.

• Flight credits can't be redeemed for extras like seats or bags.

• Flight credit is valid for one year from the issue date unless otherwise noted.

• You can use one flight credit per passenger when booking at AA.com (contact American Airlines to book with more than one flight credit).

• Only the same passenger named on the flight credit can book and travel.

American Airlines issues trip credit as compensation, refunds and for the remaining value of flight credit exchanges.

Here's what you need to know about trip credits:

• Trip credit is valid for non-award bookings.

• You can use trip credit for domestic or international flights originating in the U.S.

• These credits can't be redeemed for extras like seats or bags.

• Trip credit is valid for one year from the issue date.

• You can use eight trip credits in a single passenger reservation when booking at AA.com (contact American Airlines to book more than one passenger).

• The trip credit recipient can use their credit to book and pay for travel for themselves or others.

» Learn more: Complete guide to American Airlines elite status

​​Where can you see your flight credit or trip credit balance?

American Airlines will send an email with flight credit and trip credit information directly to travelers. You can go back to the email to review your credit details.

You can also review your credit details another way.

If you're an AAdvantage member, you can log in to your account and check any credits by clicking on your "Wallet." If you have active credits, they will be listed here.

How long are American Airlines flight credits and trip credits good for?

Most American Airlines travel credits are valid for one year from the issue date unless otherwise noted.

Special rules for eligible flight credits: If you're an AAdvantage member and have an original ticket issued from Jan. 1, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2021, the value of your unused ticket can be used by Sept. 30, 2022, for travel through Dec. 31, 2022.

What can I do if my flight credit or trip credit expired?

Make sure you check your flight credit and trip credit expiration dates. American Airlines won't make exceptions if your credit expires.

Here is a breakdown of what the airline's terms and conditions state about credit expirations:

• American Airlines won't reissue trip credits past the expiration date and are not responsible for honoring invalid or expired trip credit.

• American Airlines won't extend or reissue flight credits past the expiration date, and expired flight credits will not be honored.

» Learn more: Everything you need to know about the American Airlines AAdvantage program

Here is how to use American Airlines flight credit:

1. Have your flight credit details ready

You can find your flight credit ticket number in the email from American Airlines or by logging into your AAdvantage account and going to your wallet.

2. Browse and select flights

Search for and find your desired flights.

3. Click “+ Flight Credit” to apply your flight credit before checking out

After confirming your flight details, passenger details and selecting your seats, you'll see an option to add a flight credit before finalizing the payment and checkout process.

4. Finish the booking and checkout process

Once you apply your flight credit, you can complete the checkout process.

If you don't have enough credit to cover the cost of your flight, you'll choose a payment method to pay the difference.

If the ticket price is less than the value of your flight credit, you will receive the remaining credit balance issued as a credit to use for future travel.

The process of using an American Airlines trip credit is similar:

1. Have your trip credit details ready

You can locate your trip credit number in your email from American Airlines or in the wallet section of your AAdvantage member account.

2. Browse and select your flights

Search for and find the flights that you want to book.

3. Click “+ Trip Credit” to apply your trip credit before checking out

Once you confirm flight details, passenger details and select your seats, you'll be able to add a trip credit before finalizing the payment and checkout process.

4. Finish the booking and checkout process

Once you add your trip credit and see that it has been applied, you can continue through the checkout process.

If you don't have enough credit to cover the cost of your ticket, you'll choose a payment method to pay the difference.

If the ticket price is less than the value of your trip credit, you will receive the remaining value issued as a credit, which you can use for future trips.

American Airlines makes it easy to redeem travel credits when booking flights on their website. Now that you know how to use a flight credit and how to use a trip credit on American Airlines, you can put any remaining credits to use. Just make sure to keep on top of travel credit expiration dates so your credits don't go unused.