100% agree that's what it clearly should be taken to mean. Alas we know that the airlines do not always agree or at least act to the contrary claiming they are entireld to do so. Moreover, if they take and maintain that line there aren't really many practical remedies. I.e. be aware that having just cause to think something should work a certain way does not mean it will always do so in practice.

That said, you're extemely likely to not be charged if (a) your'e dealing with the AA desk or elsewhere that usually knows what they are going, and (b) if you aren't chaging dates such that a transit connection has become a stopover (or vice versa but usually this is overlooked -- so HUACA probably works if you get push back.