Thanks KVS for the above clarification and for the link.

However, not too much detail there - anyone have any other resource on stopovers/HIP checks??

I almost got nailed before taking a flight to JFK, and 3 out of 4 AA telephone reps said that a "stopover" was allowed!

When the check-in agent said she needed to check with the fare desk, I was told "no dice", unless I wanted to pay $2200.00 for a refare, and this was with a practically *unlimited* (full fare) ticket!

Luckily I had a backup plan with a mileage ticket to use...but I could have used the sleep I lost when checking in for this flight so early!