I have heard the same rumor (probably from the same source as JonNYC). I agree it would seriously devalue the product. The change from unlimited to 20 segments has made 5 and 6 continent trips less attractive. As they limited Global Explorer to 20 segments when they limited OWE, I expect they would apply the limitation across the board -- if, in fact, the rumor is accurate.

I don't buy it, however. The way it was expressed to me was in conjunction with AA's Sabre limitation on 16 segments. As the rest of the OW group's systems are not so constrained, there may not be much support for this change.