Say It Ain’t So! American Airlines Eliminates its Best Online Booking Feature

One of the best features of American Airlines’ website is that it allows customers to hold flights for 24 hours without having to plop down a credit card. No other U.S. airlines offers this super handy function, which always made holding fares and seats on American quick and easy.

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Gary Leff of View From The Wing said that American Airlines removed the option to put a flight on a 24 hour hold for some customers. Competitors haven't had this option for a long time. It makes American Airlines different and easier to buy from.

The hold option was not present when I tried to book a flight from Los Angeles to New York on aa.com.

However, when I tried booking the same flight but this time using my AAdvantage miles, the hold option was there (see screenshot above). So it appears American Airlines might have gotten rid of the hold function on cash tickets.

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It made reservations and seats stress-free. If you change your mind, you have to cancel the credit card within a day. AA canceled flights on hold that weren't tickets within the required time.

The DOT has stated that all US and foreign carriers have to allow consumers the ability to hold a reservation for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be canceled within 24 hours without penalty. The full rule can be found in the PDF. The rule doesn't apply if you book a ticket less than seven days before your flight.

I suggest using the free email service I use to send me reminders whenever I want, if you book a flight and think you might want to cancel it within a day. All you have to do is forward an email to remind you. The reminder would be set for 12 hours. There is more information on the service and how to use it.

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