I do all my 'creative' stuff with the help of an agent. He can do much of what AA (or any airline) can do, and stuff they wont do. If they need to they can call the EXP/CK desk and have them lay their hands on it.
But to the point of this thread NEVER assume ANYTHING (seat, fare or inventory) will 'go back into the bucket' once released. Airlines change inventory minute by minute- a fare that you grabbed and held last night might have been rebalanced 20 minutes after you book. You can hold than inventory class (award or fare code) even after they have decided to sell no more but once you release it you are subject to how they want to sell fares at that moment.
An agent can hold that segment, add to it, extend holds, etc...even ticket and cancel 24 hrs later....
Going to an agent was a watershed moment in my hacking. Of course you need the right agent.
