Originally Posted by NotJustDreaming

Thanks dvs7310 and aaupgrade

Doh!

I specifically asked three different AA RTW desk agents about the less than 24 hour connection on some of the placeholder flights in my itinerary. I was concerned that they were connections. And each said that 'no, it's not a connection. It's a separate flight. No problem to stay longer. No problem to change the dates'. paraphrasing
Right before I paid I asked just to be sure.
Argh! I did not ask specifically if the change would incur the fee. I knew (my understanding) of the date/time change rules at the time of those phone calls but figured they must know what my concern was.
Well, we'lll see.
I'll keep you posted.