American Airlines shortens award ticket hold times to 24 hours for all bookings

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American Airlines shortens award ticket hold times to 24 hours for all bookings

Research

Andrea M. Rotondo Director of content operations | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Apr 30, 2025

American Airlines is set to implement changes to its award ticket hold times. The airline has announced a reduction in the duration for which customers can hold award tickets. Now, all customers can only hold their award tickets for 24 hours, regardless of how far in advance they are booking.

Previously, members of its AAdvantage program could hold award tickets for up to five days if booking two weeks in advance, or for 24 hours if booking less than two weeks out. This change, first highlighted by Ben Schlappig at One Mile at a Time, marks a significant policy adjustment.

Despite the reduction in hold times, American Airlines will continue to allow award ticket holds, making it one of the few airlines globally to still offer this option. This feature provides customers with a chance to reserve award space without immediate booking, assisting in planning and coordination.

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In addition to this change, American Airlines allows its members to cancel award tickets without incurring any fees, including the refund of miles, taxes, and fees.

Andrea M. Rotondo, TPG director of content operations, expressed disappointment in the reduced holding time, saying, "This was a nice benefit AAdvantage offered its members and it's frustrating when any benefit is removed from a program."

Holds on award tickets are becoming rarer across the airline industry, with airlines such as Lufthansa and Air France-KLM also offering similar options under their respective programs but becoming less common.

American Airlines is yet to provide further comments on the policy change.