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[edit] Vouchers

[edit] FAQ on Travel Vouchers Issued by American Airlines

How do vouchers work on AA?

They are treated just like cash towards valid purchases.


What can I use the vouchers on?

  • Airfare on American Airlines/Eagle/Connection, codeshares, and oneworld itineraries where AA is the international/"governing" carrier.
  • 500-mile domestic upgrade stickers (at the airport only).
  • Co-payments for upgrades or reduced mileage awards.
  • Excess baggage fees.
  • Special handling fees (e.g., checked pets), with a traveling passenger (i.e., not cargo).
  • Change fees, provided an additional collection of the fare is also being made.


There are special considerations if you are located in the following countries:

  • In the UK, Belgium, Germany and France, vouchers are accepted for Net fares.
  • In Switzerland, vouchers are accepted on Q and L class Net fares only.
  • In Ireland, vouchers are accepted in Q, O and L class Net fares only.


Can I use the vouchers for ANYTHING else?

No. (For example, vouchers cannot be used to pay for taxes on award tickets.)


Really?

Yes, really.


Are there restrictions on purchasing airfare?

Unlike other airlines that place restrictions on certain fares/dates/times/routes, AA vouchers are just like cash, so you can use them to buy all fares that are available for purchase.


How long do I have to use the vouchers?

One (1) year from date of issuance.


What if I lose a voucher?

Sorry, you're out of luck. Treat your vouchers like cash.


Can I use the vouchers to buy tickets for someone else?

While vouchers are non-transferable, you may buy a ticket in someone else's name, so long as you are the one presenting the voucher (either by phone or personally at a ticket counter/office). If someone else presents the voucher, the ticket MUST be issued in the name of that on the voucher.


Is there a fee for using the vouchers?

As of April 2007, there appears to have been a policy change, so ticketing with vouchers by phone is no longer subject to the $20 fee. See http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=680421 for details.
It appears that ticketing at an airport ticket office is still subject to a charge of $30, unless you are EXP.

What happens to the taxes?

This depends on the type of voucher. The following voucher codes are exempt from some of the taxes:
DV - DENIED BOARDING/VOLUNTARY
DI - DENIED BOARDING/INVOLUNTARY
BC - BAGGAGE CLAIMS
BD - BAGGAGE DELIVERY
DB - DAMAGED BAG
CE - CONSEQUENTIAL EXPENSES
IT - INTERRUPTED TRIP
DG - DOWNGRADE
PS - PASSENGER SERVICE
CI - CONSUMER INTERRUPTED TRIP
CC - CONSUMER CLAIMS
WA - WORK ACTION - STRIKE RELATED
SD - no idea what this one stands for, but it appears on a couple of vouchers I just received from Refunds, adjusting voucher tax miscalculations on earlier tickets.
If the voucher amount is equal to or greater than the base fare amount - the following taxes do not apply: US1, US2, ZP and AY. *
US1 = Federal Excise Tax, 7.5%
US2 = International Transportation Tax ($14.50 for an arrival/departure in the US; $7.30 for a segment to/from AK/HI; both may apply if an international trip stops over in AK/HI)
ZP = US Flight Segment Tax ($3.30/segment)
AY = September 11 Security Fee ($2.50/segment, up to $10.00 per round trip)
If the voucher amount is less than the base fare - all taxes apply except the adjustment of the 7.5% U.S. tax. (That is to say, the US1 tax should be adjusted to reflect 7.5% of the amount actually paid in cash, rather than the full amount.)
XF, the Passenger Facility Charge for most airports, always applies regardless of the voucher.
OU is the only voucher taxable, as it's issued against the unused portion of a ticket that has been exchanged (amongst other things).
Remember that base fare means before ANY taxes - so, for example, if you have a ticket pricing at $130 all in off a base fare of $85, and have a $120 voucher, you still qualify to have all of the above taxes waived (which might put your total under $120).

AA tells me the taxes still apply. Now what?

Ask the AA reservations agent to call the tariff desk and have the ticket repriced to reflect the use of a tax exempt voucher. This specific wording may help the AA agent understand what you want.

What if the value of my vouchers exceed the value of my fare? Do I lose it?

Unlike other airlines, you do NOT lose the residual value of your vouchers. If the residual value is more than $5, AA will mail you another voucher back as change, and this voucher is valid for one (1) year after its issuance.


How many vouchers can I use at one time?

According to the AAgent (who was very helpful), EIGHT(8) was the maximum number of vouchers accepted by her system.


I bought AA tickets from a 3rd party (e.g., travel agent, internet travel site, Priceline/Hotwire). Can I use the vouchers retroactively?

No.


How long does it take to process the vouchers?

After they receive the vouchers, AA will process them within 1-3 days, so it's really dependent on how long it takes the mail to arrive to Florida. It is recommended that if you need to ticket within 2 weeks that you go directly to an Airport Ticket Office, who can process your vouchers immediately.


How do I apply vouchers to a reservation I have on hold on AA.com?

1) Call Web Services at 1-800-222-2377 or 1-918-832-1384 (6:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. CT, 7 days a week). In the UK, call 08-45-601-0619, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. GMT, Monday-Friday.
2) Give them the PNR and tell them you would like to apply vouchers.
3) They will give you instructions on how to send the vouchers in.
4) If the voucher(s) total less than the cost of the ticket, you'll be asked for a credit card to cover the difference. This card will not be charged until the vouchers are received in Milton and the reservation is ticketed.


What's the address where I send my vouchers to?

American Airlines
BOX 109
6223 HWY 90
MILTON FL 32570-1708
On the envelope under the return address, write:
<Last Name>
<First Flight No>
<Date of first flight, in DD Mon format (e.g., 01 Jan)>


What if I entered a Business ExtrAA number?

You will have to contact Business ExtrAA to apply the vouchers. Their number is 1-800-433-1790, and they are available 5:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight (CT) 7 days a week.


What if I live outside the United States and I want to use vouchers?

For residents of the UK or Europe, the best bet would probably to call the UK Web Services desk (08-45-601-0619, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. GMT, Monday-Friday). Otherwise, you can call your local reservations number (since you will likely have to pay the fee anyway), or visit your local Airport Ticket Office.
In all likelihood, you will be asked to mail your vouchers to Florida, so if time is of the essence you should consider going directly to an ATO, who can process it immediately.

Sources: (on tax rules, tax types, and voucher types)

--IceTrojan 00:59, 8 Aug 2006 (MDT)

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