Dear bmiers:

We have a one way cash+miles award booking to the USA, and a one way cash+miles award booking returning to the UK (thanks to reading the advice given here on the board!). Been saving the British Midland/bmi miles for years and have now got enough for 2 tickets! (Actually flying out in First LH/US, back in Business with UA/LH).

On our outbound we are routed MAN - FRA - DTW /surface/ ORD - LAS.

Our ORD - LAS flight is on US Airways (albeit on America West metal). We are considering changing this flight from the 3.00pm departure to the 8.29am departure as we have just discovered that Elton John is playing in Vegas on our arrival date (and tickets are available), but the show starts at 7.30pm and as our 3.00pm flight arrives at 4.56pm we may be cutting it a bit fine should our flight be delayed (the US website shows the flight having 70% punctuality).

I've phoned bmi Diamond Club in India who advised that we could change our flight but would need to return our tickets for re-issue and that there would be a charge of £20 per ticket.

I then phoned US airways (isn't Skype wonderful for 1-800 calls!) in the USA (their UK office was closed this being Sunday hours) who advised no problems in changing the flight with them, and no need to reissue the ticket.

Has anyone any experience of changing an award ticketed flight (same day, same route, same airline but different time) directly with the airline without getting the ticket reissued by bmi?

I want to ensure that all goes according to plan - £40 change fee isn't that much in the grand scheme of things, but why pay if you don't need to?

Any advice most welcome.

Nigel.