Originally Posted by
NYCommuter
I'd just take the flight anyway to get the miles (or at least go to the airport and board and then get off the plane, so that you get the miles without flying--but tell the gate agent that you're deplaning so that you don't mess up the passenger count).
Where do you come up with this stuff?
OP won't get any credit if he off loads. It's very simple, you don't get credit unless you fly it. Period.
As to the change, make a call to AA and see if AA will do it and waive the fee. Very unlikely, but stranger things have happened.
If the flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, you are entitled to a refund, so don't cancel it.
Unless the next day's flight would be impossible (pretty unlikely on domestic), go ahead and book AA.