Some background, not that it matters to the actual question: this is to replace an ITH-PHL-MSY routing on AA, because AA is discontinuing service at ITH. The alternatives that AA can offer leave from ROC or SYR, each roughly 100 miles away and with much worse winter weather than ELM -- the trip is in January -- plus very tight connections. It's an award flight so I could cancel it and redeposit the miles. ITH-EWR-MSY on UA is also possible.