How Do I Rebook or Reschedule an American Flight?

by Trip Help Desk Airlines Help Desk

Travel plans can change unexpectedly. If you need to rebook an American Airlines flight, you have options to modify your reservation either online or by contacting an American Airlines representative. This article provides a step-by-step guide to understand the American Airlines rebooking policy. The airline's rebooking policy, fees that may apply, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Check Your Booking Online

The easiest way to make changes to your American Airlines reservation is on the airline's website. Log into your account and find your reservation under "My Trips":

Review your flight details, including dates, airports, and times.
Look for available alternate flights on the same route on your selected travel dates. American may offer alternate timing options if schedules have changed.
Modify your reservation if another flight time works better for your revised plans.

Call American Airlines to Rebook

If you need more flexibility than offered online, contact an American Airlines representative by phone for assistance:

Call 1-800-433-7300 to speak with an agent in the U.S. or Canada.
Request a call back via American's website if hold times are long.
Have your confirmation number ready to access your reservation faster.

American Airlines agents can review additional flight options, make complex itinerary changes, and process rebooking requests that require waivers or fees.

Understand American Airlines’ Rebooking Policy

American aims to make rebooking easy for customers when travel plans change. However, fees or fare differences may apply depending on the circumstances.

Same Day Standby

If you want to take an earlier flight on the same day of travel, American offers same day standby:

Request a standby switch at the gate earlier that day at no charge.
Same day standby is available on most flights within the U.S. and Canada.
Seats are not guaranteed if the flight is full.

Flight Changes

You can make a one-time flight change to your reservation for the same route under American's rebooking policy:

Changes must be made at least 7 days before your original departure date.
A fare difference may apply if the original booking class is no longer available.
Change fees are waived for Premium Cabin and most Main Cabin fares.

Cancellations

If you need to cancel your flight entirely, American's policy depends on the ticket type:

Basic Economy tickets are non-refundable. Unused funds can be used to book a future flight.
Most Main Cabin fares are non-refundable but can reused for a future flight within a year of booking.
Full refunds are issued for refundable Business or First Class fares if canceled at least 48 hours before departure.

Understand Rebooking Fees

American Airlines may charge rebooking fees in some situations:

Same-day flight changes: $75 fee (waived for Executive Platinum and Platinum members)
Domestic flight changes: $200 fee (waived for Premium Cabin, Main Cabin Extra, and elite status members)
International flight changes: $200 fee (waived for Premium Cabin and elite status members)
Basic Economy changes: Not allowed after 24 hours from booking, then treated as a cancellation
Award ticket changes: $150 fee per ticket
No additional fee for changes is charged within 24 hours of booking if the same flight is available.

If a change requires ticket reissuing, a $200 reissue fee may also apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far in advance can I rebook my American Airlines flight?

You can rebook American Airlines flights anytime. However, to avoid change fees, rebook at least 7 days before your original departure. Last minute flight changes will incur fees.

Can I change from one airport to another when rebooking?

Yes, you can modify your origin and/or destination when rebooking for a fee as long as it is within the same region for domestic flights. For international flights, the region change fee is $200.

What if the new flight is cheaper when I rebook?

If the new flight has a lower fare than what you paid, American will issue a travel voucher for the difference. The voucher can be applied to future American Airlines flights.

Can I rebook over the phone if I booked online?

Yes, American agents can assist with rebooking regardless of original booking channel. However, online reservations have access to more alternate flight options.

Conclusion

Rebooking an American Airlines flight due to changing travel plans is possible in most cases for a fee or fare difference. Review your options online first for convenience and lower change fees. For complex rebooking needs or special accommodations, contact an American Airlines agent for personalized assistance. Understanding their flexible rebooking policy and potential fees allows you to modify plans with confidence.