American Airlines updates travel credit policies with new membership benefits

American Airlines has introduced changes to the duration of travel credits, offering new options for customers to maximize their benefits. During the pandemic, many airlines eliminated change fees on most tickets, a practice that continues today. This policy allows travelers more flexibility, though travel credits often come with expiration dates.

Southwest Airlines' travel credits do not expire. In contrast, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines require that travel credits be used within a year from the original ticket date. Specifically, new travel must commence within one year of the original ticket purchase date. However, a workaround exists: if a traveler books a future trip that costs more than their credit and then cancels it, they receive a new credit valid for another year.

American Airlines has made its policy more restrictive. Non-members of the AAdvantage program have only six months to use their travel credits, while members get a full year. To facilitate this transition, American Airlines now offers an option for customers canceling their tickets by phone to join AAdvantage immediately, thus extending their credit validity to 12 months.