Forgive me if there is another thread on this - I looked for it but could not find it.

I booked my dad in a F ticket on BA for a European trip this summer. The return was from LIS-LHR-PHL on British metal and - accordingly - had the punitive taxes/fees associated with it ($550 or so I believe). This was early August.

After a total debacle of cancellations (from British), he was rerouted on AA metal through Madrid and Miami. As such, he was downgraded from F to J and AA refunded a small amount of miles for the difference.

However, I have run into a wall with regard to getting the BA fees/taxes refunded for the flight that he never took. American first said they would process it and then failed to follow up. I've called many times and, today, was told (rather aggressively) that if I wanted the money back I would have to chase it through BA not AA (even though everything was booked through AA).

The AA EXP customer service woman rather dramatically said that "on her time, her own time, she would call British for me even though she didn't have to." She ultimately called me back to say the hold time was too long and I would have to call myself.

I was very polite throughout but it's not aging well with me. Does anyone have experience getting taxes refunded for a cancelled British leg using an AA Award?