Originally Posted by jmd001

Searched, but could not find a thread that addresses my specific objective:

I want to book a CDG-SFO itinerary using miles with a single award. I would like to fly CDG-JFK, stop at JFK for less than 24 hours (specifically to stay a night at the new TWA hotel), and then continue on JFK-SFO. (I want to do this so much that I am willing to use an AAnytime Award to do it.)

Using aa.com, in 4 pages of AA-only CDG-SFO flights, there is only one set of flights that offers an overnight at JFK. Unfortunately, the JFK-SFO departure is 7 AM. I want the departure to be later (while understanding that it must be within 24 hrs of the CDG-JFK arrival if I want to do it with a single award).

Question: Should I be able to book the offered flights, then (based on using an AAnytime Award), do an online change of the JFK-SFO leg to another flight (within the 24 hr window) at no charge? (I am only Gold.)

Note: I tried using Multi-City to book the desired flights, but it wanted to price each leg separately.

Or are there other approaches I should consider for achieving my desired overnight at JFK while returning from CDG to SFO on a single award?

Thanks.