Reading (and attempting to) understanding ...two different animals.

The fact that the op knew well in advance that he wanted to stay at the property but decided to go that route doesnt at all surprises me. He was happy to tell the AA board he pulled the same stunt ( sure it allowed by the rules on AA) for himself and four other family members (we're a 5 EXP familiy) presumably bumping five other pax off an already full flight this done not out of absolute necessity but because " the rules permitted it"

Now that he caught ( for not reading the rules carefully) in what appears to be a selfish modus operandi garners no sympathy from me