[edit] Award Redemption

[edit] How to Redeem

Book award travel within the 48 contiguous states or Alaska through www.aa.com; for other areas, to request an award ticket or award certificate, call reservations. Members will need their membership number and password. A service fee may be assessed when claiming an award by phone.

[edit] How Long It Takes

Awards will be processed immediately when redeeming online. When ordering other than e-tickets, allow 21 days from the date received.

[edit] Where Tickets Are Issued

American Airlines ticket locations, mailed to member's address on file, or via email or fax.

[edit] Expedited Award Delivery

Add US$25 to each of the following fees for each additional award requested at the same time from the same account. 2 hrs-6 days prior to departure: Call at least two hours before local American ticketing location closes; US$100 fee for airline tickets only. Ticket can be picked up at any AAdvantage ticket location by member or passengers with member's surname. 7-20 days prior to departure: US$50 fee.

[edit] Transferability of Awards

Awards may be transferred to anyone at time of award issuance.

[edit] Changing an Award

Prior to ticketing: no charge
Date and/or time change only: no charge, subject to availability
Destination change: $150 (does not apply to AAnytime Awards)
Award level change: $150 (FlyerTalkers report no fee for changing to a higher level award, subject to availability)
Redeposit miles: $150 (only unexpired miles will be redeposited)

Return unexpired certificate or ticket and request award level change; allow 3-4 weeks. Send unexpired ticket or certificate with payment back to the service center and request redeposit of miles; allow 3-4 weeks for processing.

[edit] Purchased Upgrades

Upgrades valid for up to 500 miles of travel within and between the 48 contiguous states, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda; and between the 48 contiguous states, Hawaii or Alaska and Central America. Upgrades are available for purchase at most American ticketing locations, most Admirals Clubs for Admirals Club members, online or by calling reservations. For current pricing, visit AA.com or call the service center.

[edit] Fees

Note that some award redemptions do not include certain fees and taxes charged by third parties. For example, a premium ticket to LHR could result in more than $100 of fees/surcharges; this reflects an additional tax charged by the UK (called "APD"). This is of course in addition to any expedite fee mentioned above.