American tells DOT it can cancel AAdvantage awards after 72 hours

American Airlines voided View from the Wing's family AAdvantage tickets to Australia at 24,500 miles outbound and 10,000 miles returning per person, with business class across the Pacific, nearly three weeks after issuing them. Italy awards at 12,500 miles per person each way with Atlantic business class were canceled the same way. American told the Department of Transportation it can cancel awards it later calls a windfall whenever it wants.

For several weeks, multi-city award searches on American priced some international itineraries at just the miles required for the opening domestic segment. American says it found the error two days after booking. Its contract of carriage and international tariff require it to void a mistaken fare within 72 hours of learning of the mistake. American admits more than 72 hours had passed when it canceled.

American's DOT answer relies on AAdvantage language that lets it revoke an erroneously issued benefit and asks that the complaint be dismissed. DOT still requires the carrier to demonstrate the error and refund. There is nothing to book; watch whether DOT accepts American's claim that general AAdvantage terms override its own 72-hour cancellation procedure.