In the recent past, once you purchased a ticket, you had 24 hours to change your mind — and you'd get a full refund if you canceled within that period. After that, you wouldn't lose the money you paid, it would be posted as a future flight credit you had one year to use on another flight.

The exception: basic economy tickets. For those it was essentially use it or lose it.

But now, airlines are quietly moving to make it even harder to get a refund.

American Airlines quietly changed the rules. If you want to get that full refund within 24 hours of buying the ticket, you need to actually book the flight at least 168 hours before the departure date. That's a full week in advance. If, for example you buy a ticket on a Monday for a flight two days later, AA will no longer give you a refund.