If your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed due to weather or other events outside American's control, they are only required to rebook you or refund your ticket — they are not required to pay for hotels, meals, or other expenses you incur.
This analysis describes what American Airlines's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
Passengers stranded by weather cancellations typically have no contractual right to hotel or meal vouchers from American, leaving them to bear those costs personally — a significant financial risk for long delays.
This provision means that in weather-related or other force majeure cancellations, American's only obligation is to rebook you or refund your fare — any additional costs like hotels, meals, or alternate transportation are your responsibility unless American voluntarily provides vouchers.
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"American will not be liable for failing to operate any flight as scheduled, or for cancelling, diverting, or delaying any flight where such failure is caused by events beyond American's reasonable control, including but not limited to weather conditions, acts of God, strikes, civil unrest, government action, or air traffic control decisions. In such circumstances, American's obligations are limited to rebooking the passenger on the next available American Airlines flight at no additional charge, or, at the passenger's option, a full refund of the unused portion of the ticket.— Excerpt from American Airlines's American Airlines Terms of Use
1) REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Force majeure exclusions in airline contracts are broadly permissible under U.S. law and the Airline Deregulation Act (49 U.S.C. § 41713), which preempts most state law claims related to airline service. DOT's 2024 Refund Rule (effective October 28, 2024) requires automatic cash refunds for cancelled flights and significant delays regardless of cause, partially constraining this provision. The Montreal Convention Article 19 (delay liability) and Article 20 (exoneration for carrier due diligence) are also relevant for international flights. 2)
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Passengers stranded by weather cancellations typically have no contractual right to hotel or meal vouchers from American, leaving them to bear those costs personally — a significant financial risk for long delays.
This provision means that in weather-related or other force majeure cancellations, American's only obligation is to rebook you or refund your fare — any additional costs like hotels, meals, or alternate transportation are your responsibility unless American voluntarily provides vouchers.
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