Originally Posted by
MADPhil
There are two ways to get a waiver: there has been a significant schedule change or there is a weather waiver in place. The permitted changes are usually just enough to work around the problem, though a big schedule change allows for cancellation. Otherwise the $200 is part of the deal with a discounted ticket and still a lot cheaper than buying a changeable ticket.
Since the OP is set to travel today he's pretty much out of luck. He could call AA and plead his case but I wouldn't hope for much. To the OP if the residual value of the ticket is more than $200 call now if you know you're not going to make the flight, do not wait until after the flight would have departed. If it's less than $200 still check in and if you don't make the flight around flight time see if by chance there's a significant delay of the flight. If so, you can call in and tell AA that because of the delay you no longer have the need to travel (like a missed meeting). You will then get a credit for the full amount.