American Airlines is now offering customers the option to pay by electronic check when buying tickets on the airline’s Web site, AA.com. This new option allows customers who purchase tickets at AA.com to pay directly from any personal bank account - such as a checking account or savings account - that is funded in United States dollars.  When buying tickets at AA.com, customers simply enter the bank routing and account numbers imprinted on the bottom of their paper check, as well as their address and driver’s license or state-issued ID number (for security purposes).  The information is converted by First Data Corp’s TeleCheck secure electronic check services into an electronic funds transfer entry, then processed through the bank-controlled automated clearing house.  First Data is a leading provider of electronic commerce and payment solutions for businesses worldwide.  Electronic checks can be used to pay for tickets for flights on American, American Eagle or AmericanConnection carriers, as well as for any AAdvantage award travel taxes and fees.  For rules and complete details visit www.aa.com/echeck.
“We continue to enhance our AA.com site to make it an unequaled resource for travel planning and trip purchases,” said Derek DeCross, American’s Managing Director - Interactive Marketing.  “By adding the ability to pay for tickets with electronic checks, we’re offering customers more choice and greater control over the purchase process.  Electronic checks are another example of our focus on making it even easier to do business with American Airlines.”
Electronic checks join a list of other convenient payment options available to customers at AA.com.  A “Fly Now, Pay Later” deferred payment option launched last summer allows customers to apply for instant credit and enjoy six months of no payments for tickets purchased on AA.com.  For terms and conditions and more details, visit www.aa.com/paylater.
American also accepts American Airlines Gift Cards as payment at AA.com.  AA Gift Cards are available in both plastic and electronic versions, and up to eight separate Gift Cards can be used in a single transaction.  Visit www.aa.com/giftcard for more information.
Customers may also pay with cash for trips booked on AA.com at more than 55,000 participating Western Union locations in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America.  A Western Union service fee applies.  See www.aa.com/westernunion for more information.
“Whether customers prefer to purchase tickets with a credit card, deferred payment method, gift cards, cash - or now, electronic check - American Airlines and AA.com can meet their needs,” DeCross said.
——-