How to Use an American Airlines Flight Credit

American Airlines has made some changes to how it handles refunds after someone chooses to cancel or change a nonrefundable flight. Nonrefundable flights are just that — not refundable. But airlines let you change them or postpone a trip with either a fee, the difference in fare or both.

American now makes these trip credits and flight credits available to use online. But it's key to understand the differences before planning your next trip.

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American Airlines flight credits are for wholly unused tickets, while a trip credit is issued for “canceled tickets, significant delays, compensation, refunds, and remaining value when exchanging tickets.”

Flight credits are eligible to be applied to any ticket (although they cannot be used to pay taxes on an award ticket). Trip credits have more restrictions, including that the trips must begin in the U.S. or select countries. Neither type of credit can be used to pay for seat or bag fees.

Flight credits are only eligible to use for the same passenger named on the original ticket. Here are the important details about flight credits:

• They can be used only for flights (not seats or bags, for example).

• They are only valid for travel that begins one year from the original date of issue, unless otherwise noted.

• When booking at AA.com, you can use only one flight credit at a time, but you can contact American directly to book with more than one.

• Only the passenger whose name is on the flight credit can book and travel on the ticket using this credit.

American uses trip credits as a form of compensation, for refunds or flights that have been changed or exchanged to show the remaining value. Here are the important details about trip credits:

• They are eligible for use on domestic or international flights originating in the U.S. or a handful of other countries.

• They are not eligible for extras like seats or bags.

• They are typically good for 12 months from the date of issue for AAdvantage members and only six months for nonmembers.

• You can use as many as eight trip credits on one reservation via AA.com or by contacting American Airlines.

• The owner of the trip credit can use it to book travel for themselves or another person.

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​​Where can you find your flight credit or trip credit?

When American issues flight and trip credits, the airline will send an email with details including the amount and ticket number.

You can also search on aa.com to find these by entering your trip or travel credit details. This will tell you the remaining value if you are not an AAdvantage member. If you do have an AAdvantage account, you can log in and check on the credits by clicking on your account and the “Travel credit” section. There you will find a list of available trip and flight credits, detailing the amount, ticket number and expiration date.

Via the AA app, you can also find these details by clicking on the “Travel credits” section under your AAdvantage account details. The same information listed online is also available in the app, and the credits are in order of earliest expiration first.

When do American Airlines flight credits and trip credits expire?

Most American Airlines travel credits are good for one calendar year from the date of issue (not the date of travel). For trip credits issued on or after April 2, 2024, anyone who is not an AAdvantage member has only six months to use the remaining value.

There is one exception to this rule: The U.S. Department of Transportation requires that if the credit was issued due to a significant qualifying delay or cancellation, the credit is valid for five years. It is important to understand the rules that apply to your specific credit so that you do not lose any value.

What happens if my flight credit or trip credit expires?

Sadly, this is a no-win situation because American won't make exceptions. Credits are not reissued past the expiration date, and they will not be honored.

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

1. Copy your flight credit details

As shown above, it is easy to locate your flight credits online or via the American app. Both allow you to click “copy” and save the flight credit number, but it also helps to write it down. You won’t need to, though, as eligible credits normally appear automatically once you click the right button on the payment page.

2. Search for your preferred flights

Next, search for your desired flights the way you normally would on the American Airlines website.

If you are using a flight credit and booking on aa.com, it may only permit destinations within the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This means you may need to call American to book destinations outside of these locations.

3. Click ‘Add Trip Credit/Flight Credit’ to apply the value to your ticket before checking out

Once you have chosen your flight and reached the payment page, there is the option to add a flight or trip credit as shown above. It appears above the other payment methods.

Once you click on it, a page with all of your eligible credits will appear for you to choose any credits that are eligible. If you cannot find one, there is a button to search. Remember, some credits are not eligible for certain itineraries.

4. Complete the checkout process

After applying any eligible flight or trip credits, the website will let you know how much more you owe on the “Review and pay” page or if there is any remaining value on your credits that were used. If there is a new expiration date, these details will also be displayed, as well as emailed to you.

If you don't have enough credit, you can then choose another payment method for the difference.

As long as you keep track of the credits in your account and when they expire, American Airlines has made it easier than ever to redeem travel credits on its website or mobile app. Of course, you can also book over the phone, too. Frequent travelers should be less concerned about making changes to their travel plans since they can always receive credit for unused travel to use later. And in some situations, the credits can be used for someone else. Just make sure you understand the differences between flight and trip credits and the types of flights where you can use them.