The downside to booking early: AA made another schedule change to our outbound itinerary (#3 since March), this one booked via Chase points+cash. Even though the new itinerary was less desirable with a shorter overnight in CLT, I figured it wasn't worth the hassle because it took a 90-minute call to Chase for the first change (reroute causing IDG.) proactively called the same day the schedule changed. This time, Chase notified us via email that the flight had changed (AA didn't-but I check future flights every couple weeks), and asked for a call because they wouldn't auto-accept the change (+120 minutes). Ended up rebooking on our original routing (AA added the evening STL-MIA flight they took away on change #1) with a decent overnight for no additional cost.

Why book so early when I know the schedule is going to change? Inexpensive F sells out quickly. Even without the Chase points, it's like getting BOGO from where the fares are now.