I just completed a R/T from DFW to STL on TWA, and I was pleasantly surprised. Last Wed., I realized that I had to travel to STL at the last-minute. All fares were $600+ on any airline. So I called TWA about 24 hours before flight time, and I got a 15K-mile award ticket - no charge - on exactly the flights I wanted. Over the weekend, I realized that I had to change my return date by a day, and was able to do so at no charge. There was no line at either airport (I'm not elite, either) and baggage showed up promptly on both ends. Both flights were on time, and I had seat 8D both ways (arguably the best seat in the cabin on the DC-9).

Although I don't use TWA much, I must say that I will miss the 15K awards, as well as the easy award availability so close to flight time. On AA, this itinerary would have been 40K miles, and I would have had to pay $50 to "expedite" the award (even though no paper ticket was involved).