I cancelled return leg to switch to a different airline and date and a year later they have never charged the fee nor refunded the taxes, which were a lot less.

I followed up twice and they said wait. I think a year later I saved some dough.

To get the points back I had to call and they hand posted them while I was on the phone.

Twitter works great for this sort of thing. Post hey AA why can't I get my points back? I need them and you are keeping them! I am really worried!! (<--exclamation points help)

They will DM you faster than you know what through a goose.