I bet we see no links to claims. Lots of people are willing to rattle their sabres but I'm betting the outcome of litigation (including cost and time) will far outway any potential upside (including how future issues are handled). The way to get away with this fare would have been for only a handful to have been sold! However, I must say, booking a fare and getting $200 for essentially doing nothing seems pretty good to me. To bad the trip didn't materialize though.

As for those of you planning to file litigation: just because you have a plan doesn't mean its a good one. Custer had a plan...

I'd recommend talking to someone who has been involved in similar litigation before (or as similar as you can get). Also from a legal standpoint I'm curious about the filing for this. State the ticket was purchase, state AA operates in etc. Also the court setting (probably dependant on the claim). Small claims has $ limit amounts depending on the state you are filing in, and how much you are filing for etc depends on whether you are looking for restitution for your $1200 or for the first class (which I imagine AA will argue has more value than the small claims max).

Anyway, lots to think about, good job all of you who got free money!