FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,046
Unless you are simply changing the date on the exact same route / direction, you will always be cancelling, refunding and re-booking. However, there's no reason why your miles won't be back quickly, if not immediately.