For me it really depends on what the fare difference is, how far out I am booking, and how certain I am on the trip.

AA is still scheduling more flights than it can fly or that is profitable for them to do so. So if I am fairly certain I am going to be taking a trip, and the fare difference is significant, I'll roll the dice on a BE fare every once in awhile. The last time I did there were several schedule changes between the time I booked and the time I took the flight, which would have entitled me to change or cancel for a refund.