I am 1K/Plat, and called CO en route to the airport to change a reward ticket for 2 pax. We were flying CLE-IAH-BHM, and the last leg was headed for a delay. I called CO and asked if I could get an alternate route in light of the impending delay. Was told I could get CLE-CLT-BHM, but that there would be a $50 fee because the IAH-BHM leg was showing on time in their system, so this was a voluntary change. I said OK, and rebooked us into the alternate route.

I was driving in nasty weather and happy to get the flights changed. But now that I'm thinking about it, I'm wondering whether I really had to pay the $50 fee. Given my status, shouldn't I be exempt from close-in change and booking fees (was about 2 hrs before new flight)? Somewhere in this transaction my OP# was removed from the itinerary, and I'm thinking she may have charged me as a non-Elite (OK, non-Premier). Does anybody know for sure?