Yes, I noticed the same language too, and had wondered whether there was a policy shift. Glad to hear you got the original price you booked at. What a cheap fare ...
Originally Posted by alien
When I go to Hold a reservation I get "Fares are not gauranteed until the ticket reservation is purchased." I get the same line after Holding this reservation.
Also, from AA.com:
Q: How do I guarantee my fare on AA.com?
A: The only way to guarantee your fare is to purchase your ticket. Since pricing and availability change continuously, reservations that are placed on hold are not guaranteed until ticketed.