Originally Posted by MSPeconomist

If the OP downgrades, does AS charge a ticket change fee? If so, the savings could be less than $480, even if cheap coach fare classes are available. Many carriers don't charge a service fee to upgrade by paying the fare difference, but I've never heard of this for a downgrade; often changing the fare class does invoke the feel if it's not a movement to a higher cabin. I also would expect the difference to be paid in vouchers rather than as a refund since a cheap FC ticket is likely to be nonrefundable (and original fare restrictions tend to be carried forward when a ticket is modified).