That may make quite a difference in terms of the rules and regs of the ticket. For a start, AA are often better at charging a cancellation fee and letting you keep the rest as credit against future flights. Also Bahrain may have particular consumer law protections you can invoke.

Also depending on where they are going in the Bay Area, you might want to have a look at pricing into SJC, and if your parents don't mind a break in London could even look at LGW-OAK, as alternatives to SFO.