Originally Posted by
shd9
If you haven’t bought the tickets yet (or within 24hrs), sometimes you can stopover NYC for just the extra security fee for ex-EZE itineraries
Exactly, this. If you can get a cheap stopover, this is the way to go. Schedule the final flight as far out to end of schedule as possible without blowing up the price.
It might turn out that you want the segment later, in which case you would be able to use it for just a change fee (to change the date). Also if there is any kind of schedule or equipment change at all (basically a 100% probability on AA) you can refund the final segment.
And, the stopover removes any chance of not getting to your intermediate destination (since AA is contracted to get you there), and you can check a bag if you end up wanting to.