When traveling, it’s wise to be prepared for plans to change. The chance that a flight could be delayed due to weather — or an unprecedented pandemic — might have you thinking twice about booking your trip. Rather than scrap your dreams and avoid travel altogether, opt for a backup plan.

Will American Airlines refund a ticket in such circumstances? If you booked a flight on American Airlines and need the cost of your ticket refunded, here’s how to get the process started.

American Airlines refund policy

It can be difficult to navigate American Airlines’ refund policy, but here are the key parts to understand before booking.

If you cancel any tickets within 24 hours of booking and at least two days before departure, you will automatically get a full refund to your original form of payment without needing to take additional steps.

Basic economy fares are never considered refundable American Airlines tickets unless they are canceled within that 24-hour booking window.

You can book a refundable ticket from the get-go by filtering results by what the airline calls “Flexible tickets” in its search engine.

A nonrefundable American Airlines fare, regardless of class, isn’t eligible for a refund unless:

There has been a flight schedule change of more than four hours.

The passenger and/or traveling companion has died.

Military orders affect the passenger’s ability to travel.

If any of the above circumstances arise, you will be eligible for a refund from the airline in the form of a travel credit (we talk more about this later).