Originally Posted by
Often1
My experience with AA is that while it has efficient software to detect duplicate and "impossible" bookings, that the software does a sweep rather than a block. E.g., you can book whatever you want, but it will be found out in due course. If you book a new ticket and then relatively quickly cancel the original ticket, it is unlikely that the software catches it.
If it were to become a problem, e.g., the system blocked OP from purchasing a new ticket, one would then have to call in and have an agent handle the transaction.
Either way, if the $30 cheaper fare remains available today, OP would bet out $30 better off. On the other hand, if he wants to book UA and then cancel AA, that is fine too. Same sequence. Don't cancel the original ticket until you know that the fare for the second ticket remains.
I think part of my problem is that the original flight I booked back in March was for 8/26-9/1/20. I was going to a convention in Anaheim that was finally cancelled in late June. I went to PHL on an emergency trip in mid-June, if I had been able to use this ticket then I would have.
So since I can't go to Anaheim (Disneyland isn't open either), I decided to change the flight to go visit her in Bend, OR. I don't think the option was open for me to get a refund on July 26 when I cancelled the original flight I had MCO to SNA for 8/26-9/1/20.
I have been furloughed for 4 months and just went back to work this past weekend. So that $30 will help this girl out!