I want to find out if I understand the rules correctly. My father booked a reward ticket to PEK and he is silver elite. If he wants to change to a better routing if availability opens up in the 21 days prior to departure, does he have to pay the $50 change fee and the $50 close-in reward booking fee or does he only have to pay the $50 change fee?

I'm just not sure because the website says "Rewards ticketed less than 21 days before travel will be subject to the following close-in reward booking fees" and at least from my experience, whenever a change is made, the flight is re-ticketed. I surely hope they don't charge the close-in ticketing fee, but you never know what the airlines will try to charge for. Thanks.