I bought a plane ticket but I didn't use it. What happens to the money I spent?

Question

I bought a one way ticket from American Airlines but I wound up not going. What happens to the ticket?

Answer 1

the ticket stays with you.  the money you spent, if not refundable, goes to taxes and shareholders of American as profits (or dividends)

AM

Answer 2

Wow...that was a waste of money, man....

Answer 3

depending on the rules for the ticket that you bought..

there's a fee from 75 to 150 usd for changes/cancellations or for refund..

you could use the amount of the ticket for your future flight travel..

the only tickets that you could refund the amount without any penalty is for business or first class..

Answer 4

most of the time you get some refund for a non show so it's not a total waist of money if it's a paper ticket take the ticket to the airline office not to a travel agency as travel agency will take a commission of your refund .  

Answer 5

The airlines will send you a nice thank you note........

Answer 6

The correct answer ultimately depends on the fare rules governing the ticket that you purchased.  Most nonrefundable tickets sold by American (and many other airlines in the US) lose their value if unused and not cancelled before the time of departure, but again, this depends on the fare purchased.  

You'll definitely want to contact American to see whether there is any residual value remaining, but the chances are good that there is, indeed, none left.

Answer 7

Unless is was transferable or refundable -- then unfortunately it's useless... check more out on the ticket, and perhaps call the airline and see if you can use it.

Good luck!

xoxox

Answer 8

Depends on the rules of your ticket, your best bet is to call American so they can tell you what options you have because it really all depends on the rules, some tickets you can use as a credit for the future, some you can't, etc.