Excellent point, and thanks for the distinction. I guess I fall back to Blumie's statement then- fly WN if the rules of AA (and the other majors) don't suit.
I have a feeling that WN's model (basically making even the cheapest fare flexible) may not be sustainable long term...but more power to them now.
Cheers.
What I would like to see is no change fee, but also no refunds back to method of payment. If you want a refund, then you buy the more expensive fare. AA is double dipping by charging a $100 change fee + to rebook the ticket within 12 months you have to pay a $15 phone fee as well.
Blumie, AA gets to set the rules as long as customers agree to play by them. Remove the AAdvantage program and the hold that is has over many of us (like a beer for an alcoholic), and the customers ultimately set the fare rules by choosing which carrier to fly.