Yes, you can get a refund if you cancel your American Airlines flight, but it depends on the type of ticket you purchased and when you cancel. If you bought a refundable ticket, you can cancel at any time before the flight’s departure and get a full refund to your original form of payment. These tickets are more flexible but usually cost more. If your plans are uncertain, refundable tickets are the safest option for getting your money back without penalty.

If you bought a nonrefundable ticket, you will not receive a cash refund in most cases. However, if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking, and your departure is at least two days away, you can get a full refund, no matter what kind of ticket you bought. This 24-hour rule gives you a short window to change your mind without paying a fee or losing your money.

If you cancel a nonrefundable ticket after the 24-hour period, you generally won’t receive a refund. Instead, American Airlines may issue you a travel credit for the value of the ticket. You can use this credit for a future flight, usually within one year of the original ticket’s issue date. You might have to pay the fare difference if the new flight is more expensive.

Basic Economy tickets are the least flexible. These tickets are nonrefundable and cannot be changed after the 24-hour window. If you cancel a Basic Economy ticket after that period, you usually lose the entire value of the ticket. There may be rare exceptions, such as certain promotions or if you are an elite member of the airline’s loyalty program.

In some special situations, American Airlines may give a refund even for nonrefundable tickets. These include serious illness, death of the passenger or an immediate family member, or military deployment. You would need to provide proper documents to request a refund in these cases.

If American Airlines cancels your flight or changes your schedule by a significant amount, you may be eligible for a full refund, even if your ticket was nonrefundable. A major change can mean a long delay or a big shift in departure or arrival time. If that happens and you choose not to travel, you can request a refund instead of accepting a new flight.

If you booked through a third-party site or travel agent, you may have to contact them directly to cancel or request a refund. American Airlines can only handle refunds for tickets bought directly through their own website, app, or phone service.

Refunds are usually returned to the original form of payment. Credit card refunds may take up to seven days, while refunds for cash or checks may take longer. You can cancel your flight and request a refund online or by calling customer service.

In summary, refunds depend on your ticket type, how and when you cancel, and any special circumstances. Refundable tickets are easiest to cancel, nonrefundable tickets may give credits, and Basic Economy offers the fewest options. Always check your ticket details before canceling.