Does American refund the difference if the price drops?
Usually, yes — as Trip Credit rather than cash, and only if you notice and ask. On most American tickets other than Basic Economy you can rebook the exact same flights at today’s lower fare, and American issues the difference as Trip Credit toward a future booking. Nothing prompts you to do it: American will not tell you that the price of your own flight has fallen.
How to claim it
Open your trip on aa.com, choose "Change trip", and rebook the exact same flights at the lower fare. The difference is issued to you as Trip Credit automatically.
- You get back
- Trip Credit
- Does not apply to
- Basic Economy tickets
- Phone
- +1 800 433 7300
Farewatch is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by American Airlines.
Common questions
Is the difference paid back in cash?
No. It comes back as Trip Credit, usable on a future American booking, rather than as a refund to your card.
Does it work on Basic Economy?
No. Basic Economy is excluded, because those tickets generally cannot be changed at all — and changing the booking is the mechanism this relies on. Your confirmation email names the fare brand you bought.
Do I need to log in to an AAdvantage account?
No. The "Find your trip" page on aa.com opens your booking with just the record locator and the passenger surname, both of which are on your confirmation email. You do not need an account or a password to see whether the fare has moved.
Will a change fee cancel out the saving?
It depends on the fare rules attached to your specific ticket, which vary by route and fare brand. American shows any fee in the change flow before you confirm, so you can see what you would actually net and abandon the change if it is not worth it.
How long does Trip Credit last?
It carries its own expiry date — commonly around a year from when the original ticket was issued — and American states the date when it issues the credit. Check it, because an expired credit is worth nothing.
How would I know the fare has dropped?
Only by looking, repeatedly, until you fly. That is the job Farewatch does for you: we re-price the exact flights on your booking every day and tell you when the drop is large enough to be worth acting on.