Originally Posted by
Blumie
So the way I read these rules (and, of course, who's to say if the OW airlines read them the same way), you are not obligated to take the next flight out, although if you don't, it will count as a stopover, but will not count in the mileage calculation if less than 24 hours.
I have had AA approve >6h <24h connections despite availability on flights within the 6 hour window. AFAIK the only rule that is strictly observed is the 24h one, but as with all such ambiguous things, most evidence is anecdotal and YMM definitely V.