Originally Posted by
show_me_the_points
Unfortunately LAX is just a connection. I think Ill just leave the ticket as is.
show_me_the_points, there's one option that hasn't been mentioned yet...is the NRT-ORD nonstop available on the dates you want?
If it is, then change your ticket to NRT-ORD-WAS, with a stopover at ORD. This will be a no fee change, and you can use the ORD-WAS segment at a date several days or months in the future.
If the NRT-ORD nonstop isn't available, then there's still the options below that several others posters have mentioned...
1) Change your ticketed LAX-WAS flight to a random date in the future (no fee change). Book the same day LAX-ORD award flight. If you happen to get back to LAX and can use the LAX-WAS segment, then great. If not, it just goes unused. Cost: award miles for LAX-ORD.
2) Pay $150 (assuming you're not EXP) and change your NRT-LAX-WAS to NRT-LAX-ORD. Cost: $150, but you'll save the award miles you'd spend for LAX-ORD.