Yes, AA does charge fees for claiming awards less than 21 days away. However, in my own experience, AA tends to have excellent availability, especially on short notice. It may well be some other ailrines don't charge fees. But what good is the award if you can't get a ticket? Maybe someone who's a Continental flyer can elaborate on that airline's 25,000 mile coach ticket. It's next to impossible to book this award. It sounds like borderline fraud, (in my opinion anyway.)

[This message has been edited by Neal (edited 02-21-2003).]