One of the earlier posters indicated that if you cancel the award 'after' the miles have expired, they will give a curtesy 12mth extension (even though its not in the T&C). So it seems to me that would work, especially if the flight is cancelled, but it seems you could pay $120 to cancel otherwise.
Anyone able to report if there have been cases where they have not done this extension, especially non-status members (I may need to avail of it next year) ?
I am non-status and it worked just as expected. I cancelled one trip using 12k AM not $120 USD (not a great use of points but given the circumstances I'd rather burn AM vs USD right now) and miles were given a 12 months extension from their original expiration date. Second, cancellation I got for free as a courtesy from AM due to schedule change. Also taxes/fees were back rather quick (about a week).