American Airlines Offered You AAdvantage Miles or a Trip Credit? You Can Still Claim Cash

A few days after a long delay, an email lands in your inbox. American Airlines is sorry about your recent trip, and as a gesture of goodwill, here are some bonus AAdvantage miles, or a travel credit towards a future flight. It feels like the matter is closed. If your flight departed the UK, it probably isn't.

A goodwill gesture is not compensation

US airlines aren't required by US law to pay fixed cash compensation for delays, so they often apologise with miles, eVouchers or trip credits instead. That's their customer service policy. It's completely separate from your legal right under UK261, which applies to every flight departing a UK airport, including American Airlines flights from Heathrow, Manchester and Edinburgh.

Under UK261, if your American flight from the UK arrived 3 or more hours late for a reason within the airline's control, you're owed:

• £520 per passenger for a delay of 4 hours or more
• £260 per passenger for a delay of 3 to 4 hours

That's money, paid to your bank account. Not points, not credit that expires.

Can I keep the miles and still claim?

Usually, yes. Simply receiving bonus miles in your AAdvantage account doesn't sign away your UK261 rights. Where you need to be careful is anything you're asked to actively accept or sign. If an offer says it's in "full and final settlement" of your claim, or asks you to tick a box agreeing it settles all compensation, read it properly first. Accepting that kind of offer can make a later cash claim much harder.

Is the voucher ever the better deal?

The law does allow an airline to pay compensation as travel vouchers, but only if you agree in writing. Sometimes a voucher is worth more than the cash, and if you fly American often that might suit you. Just do the maths first:

• How much is the voucher worth compared with £520 per person?
• When does it expire, and can it be used on the routes you actually fly?
• Does it cover taxes and fees, or just the base fare?

If any of those answers are disappointing, take the cash.

What about the "trip credit" from a cancellation?

If American cancelled your flight and you took a trip credit instead of a refund, that's your refund decision. Fixed compensation for the cancellation is a separate right on top. Our guide to American Airlines cancellations from the UK explains both.

Which flights does this apply to?

Only American Airlines flights departing the UK, or journeys that started in the UK on a single booking. A delay on the way home from the US isn't covered by UK261, and there the goodwill miles may genuinely be all that's on offer. See why UK261 doesn't cover US departures.

Start your claim

Got the miles but not the money? Check your flight with Klaimly. You have up to 6 years to claim (5 in Scotland), so an old delay from a past trip to New York or Dallas may still be worth claiming. We charge a flat 5% fee, only if we win, with no VAT added and nothing to pay upfront. American Airlines pays your compensation directly to you.