Originally Posted by
hillrider
I personally think it's incredible rude and self-centered (and costly to society) not to cancel a reservation that is no longer needed, whether it's for a restaurant, an airline, a hotel or an item set aside at the store.
I have little problem with policies that put consequences onto this behavior.
But if you no show for a restaurant, usually you pay nothing. If you no show for a flight, in most cases you lose your money regardless (and the OP has not said he is expecting any kind of refund for the segment he didn't fly).
Under normal circumstances I would have no sympathy for the OP, but as he was due to travel during the storm period, I think it was highly unfair for AA to stick to it's policy. If I wasn't an elite and that happened to me, I probably would avoid AA in future.