Those who have ever shopped for last-minute flights online will know that airlines will often try to quash the “should I?” doubt by advertising the fact that one fully refund the flight within 24 hours of purchase.
In 2012, the U.S. Department of Transportation put in place a new mandate requiring air carriers flying out of or into the United Sates to grant passengers a full refund to the original method of payment if they cancel their flight within 24 hours of making the purchase.
While the requirement only applies to tickets purchased seven days before departure, many airlines have made the window where one can still benefit from the 24-hour “no regrets” period longer.
American Airlines cuts 24-hour refund window to flights booked within seven days
Delta and Alaska Airlines currently allow any flight booked within 24 hours of departure to request a refund within that day after purchase while American Airlines previously required that flights be booked within 48 hours.
After competitor United Airlines moved the required booking window to seven days earlier this summer, American Airlines has now also changed its policy to not grant customers anything more than what is required by law.
Related: Delta Air Lines axes more routes, offers refunds
The policy was put in place quietly by tweaking the fine print of the airline’s Customer Service Plan. The change applies to all flights booked from July 29 and was spotted by several media outlets without an official announcement by the airline.
American Airlines originally brought the refund window period from seven to two days in 2017 as part of the same effort to keep up with competitors advertising a wider refund period.
“At least seven days prior to departure”: American Airlines tightens 24-hour refund policy
“When you buy a ticket on aa.com or through American Airlines Reservations at least seven days prior to departure, you have up to 24 hours from the time you first buy your ticket to request a refund,” the section of the policy on the 24-hour refund period now reads. “The 24 hour refund policy applies to all ticket types, but you have to cancel your trip to get a refund. Reservations booked as part of group block do not qualify for the 24 hour refund.”
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Several other sections of the contract of carriage published online still state the two-day period which could help guests with dated screenshots to argue that they are entitled to a refund even if they booked more last-minute than a week in advance.
The policy change applies to economy tickets that do not offer free changes and cancelations at any time as part of the fare class.
When news of the policy tweak broke, American Airlines issued a statement saying that an option for economy travelers who are uncertain about their travel is to hold the booking for 24 hours.
This cements the original price one found for 24 hours without the customer having to make the payment.
Related: Another airline cancels flights, leaves travelers stranded
