Just wanted to gather thoughts/experiences anyone has had with an AA OW award ticket (130C) that experienced schedule changes...

Problem is IB changed the days they fly JNB-MAD; I booked an award ticket months ago, and they "automatically" changed my date of travel to 2 days earlier; needless to say I need to travel on the day I had first booked.

Given that my only real option out of JNB is BA to LHR back to the US, will AA break the rules of needing 2 carriers other than AA for OW awards, and allow me to travel BA back to LHR to connect to an AA flight back to the US?

Will they also force/open U inventory to accomodate us (at least on any AA segments)? (Expertflyer is showing U0 on the AA flights I would have to connect to.)

Many thanks...