Jul 27, 2015, 9:19 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Please feel free to add to or correct the information herein.
NOTE: For involuntary award changes (caused by the operating carriers), see Involuntary Award Changes / What To Do (merged threads).
Ordinarily, one must call to request or make changes to award tickets.
Award changes, ordinary
NOTE: More extensive listing of terms and conditions are listed in oneworld and other all partner awards rules, Information 2015 on
Award carrier, connection, date or routing changes: As long as origin and destination (but read on for exceptions such as first / last segment) remain the same, change / award redeposit fees are usually waived for awards under certain circumstances when date, connection, routing or carrier changes are made But:Airline / carrier changes incur no change or redeposit fees as long as you do not try to change between all AA oneworld airlines and non-oneworld airlines or vice versa.
E.g. an AA award such as SEA-HNL-SYD using AS can not be changed to use JL without requiring award redeposit. An award using AA LAX-HKG can be changed to JL via NRT or CX Without redeposit ing miles.
If Maximum Permitted Miles (usually 125% of the most direct available routing) for an award is exceeded, two awards may be charged
or
MSC fare requirements: The most significant or prevailing carrier, usually the one with the transoceanic sector, must offer an unconstructed fare between desired origin and destination; if a fare would require "married segments", two awards may be required.
Award validity: Awards must be used within one year of original booking. For travel beyond that, the award miles will have to be redeposited and new awards secured.
Award cancellations can be by phone or online, but online cancellation requires separate action to reinstate the miles. Canceling online does not request or result in miles redeposit.
Award miles reinstatement: Redeposit fees are waived for Executive Platinum members. See here for more information on award miles reinstatement.
"Upgrading" class of service by using miles requires redepositing the original award and issuing a new one for the higher class if service. AA will waive the deposit fee on the redeposited award, and will not charge for this. (However, taxes may differ, such as going from the discounted U.K. Air Passenger Duty to the full APD if upgrading from Y / PE to J; if there are higher taxes and fees imposed by the new fare, the passenger is charged for those.)
Co-terminals: For award purposes, there are no co-terminals; changing co-terminal airports (MIA and FLL, PBI; JFK, LGA, EWR etc.) will incur a $150 change fee. See this thread for detail on award miles redeposit.
An award using AS, FJ, HA or TN to South Pacific (e.g. AKL, SYD) can not be changed to AA or QF without requiring award redeposit (or vice versa).
Dropping segments: Awards made on AA or / and "all partner" carriers will allow changes mentioned above without requiring redeposit fees. Instances of dropping an origin segment can be allowed, or a final segment - as long as doing so does not change the destination zone (or sub-zone, in the case of intra-North America awards); changing the mileage (miles required) of the award claimed or the number of awards claimed.
Segments can be dropped as long as doing so does not change the destination zone (or sub-zone, in the case of intra-North America awards). If you are refused, refer agents to the in-house memo/advisory dated 02/03/11 entitled "Dropping OWFA segments." (guv1976)
As JonNYC posted:
This document was current as of December 2014:
For permitted changes and fees, see this post in the airline partner award thread.
If the award is AA and oneworld, changes may be made as long as the main / governing /Most Significant Carrier makes an unconstructed fare on the award routing and the governing fare's carrier is not changed to one not offering such a fare.
Close-in booking fee: Changes made to bring travel to under 21 days from award issue will incur close-in booking fees of $75.
Schedule changes: On international awards, schedule changes of two hours or longer, or those breaking connections by bringing them below MCT / minimum connection times, flight cancellations, generally may be cancelled and redeposited without fees, or engender greater flexibility in changes. With AA awards, it is possible award seating may be opened when there is none; with partners, AA can appeal to the Liaison to the partner to open seating in these cases (the partner airline may or may not grant the exception requested). Equipment change constitutes a schedule change and you will be able to get the fee waived pre this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Partner changes: If the award includes non-oneworld partners such as AS, EY, FJ or TN, or a oneworld carrier award is changed to include a non-oneworld carrier, or vice versa, significant fees will be incurred ($150).
"Upgrading" class of service by using miles requires redepositing the original award and issuing a new one for the higher class if service. AA will waive the deposit fee on the redeposited award, and will not charge for this. (However, taxes may differ, such as going from the discounted U.K. Air Passenger Duty to the full APD if upgrading from Y / PE to J; if there are higher taxes abd fees imposed by the new fare, the passenger is charged for those.)
Changes that require different award type -
Changes to the itinerary which involve different AAdvantage award(s) than originally ticketed require a reinstatement of the original award ticket, payment of the applicable award reinstatement charge (see below), and a new award ticket issued (waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members using miles from their account). However, SAAver awards canceled for AAnytime awards, or changing to a higher class of service, will not incur redeposit fees.
Changes to your outbound travel date, resulting in a departure within 21 days -
Close-in booking fee: A $75 USD award processing charge will apply for a confirmed change to the date on an AAdvantage MileSAAver and AAnytime award ticket if the change results in a new outbound travel date that is within 21 days of the original booking date (waived for AAdvantage elite members using miles from their account).
Contact AAdvantage Reservations to change your itinerary, pay the applicable charge and have your ticket reissued prior to travel.
Canceling Awards / Reinstating Award Tickets
(Waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members using miles from their account)
AAdvantage® mileage will be reinstated for unused and unexpired awards upon payment of a processing fee. For tickets booked on or after November 1, 2018, AAdvantage®mileage will be reinstated upon payment of a processing fee for unused and unexpired awards canceled prior to departure. For each additional award reinstatement from the same account at the same time, an additional charge will be collected. These charges are payable by credit card.
Award class changes: MileSAAver to AAnytime changes generally incur no fees; conversely, AAnytime to MileSAAver awards generally will.
Award cabin class "upgrades" (e.g. Y to J): If the change made is an increase of miles to another cabin class, fees are not normally charged (but some government required fees such as UK Air Passenger Duty, airport passenger facility fees, etc. may change).
Redepositing awards incurs a fee of $150 other than for Executive Platinum members redepositing to their accounts. If two or more awards are being redeposited to the same account at the same time, the fees are $150 for the first award, $25 for every award thereafter. Note the awards do not have to share the same PNR, though some less knowledgeable agents will insist so.
Note: given a 120 hr / 5 day hold is offered, there is no right to “Free” cancellation (without redeposit) within 24 hours of securing the award. OTOH, mere date changes to a year from Booking are free of charge in most instances.
Please see: State of the award reinstatement fee (Nov 2015 - clarifying)
FAQ: Cancel award ticket / cancellation (time frame, taxes, etc.) (merged threads)
Link to ARCHIVE 2017: Award Change for date, time, routing, co-terminal, cost, all changes.
Link to ARCHIVE 2015-2016: Award Change for date, time, routing, co-terminal, cost, all changes.
Link to ARCHIVE 2012-14: Award Change for date, time, routing, co-terminal, cost, all changes.
NOTE: For involuntary award changes (caused by the operating carriers), see Involuntary Award Changes / What To Do (merged threads).
Ordinarily, one must call to request or make changes to award tickets.
Award changes, ordinary
NOTE: More extensive listing of terms and conditions are listed in oneworld and other all partner awards rules, Information 2015 on
Award carrier, connection, date or routing changes: As long as origin and destination (but read on for exceptions such as first / last segment) remain the same, change / award redeposit fees are usually waived for awards under certain circumstances when date, connection, routing or carrier changes are made But:Airline / carrier changes incur no change or redeposit fees as long as you do not try to change between all AA oneworld airlines and non-oneworld airlines or vice versa.
E.g. an AA award such as SEA-HNL-SYD using AS can not be changed to use JL without requiring award redeposit. An award using AA LAX-HKG can be changed to JL via NRT or CX Without redeposit ing miles.
If Maximum Permitted Miles (usually 125% of the most direct available routing) for an award is exceeded, two awards may be charged
or
MSC fare requirements: The most significant or prevailing carrier, usually the one with the transoceanic sector, must offer an unconstructed fare between desired origin and destination; if a fare would require "married segments", two awards may be required.
Award validity: Awards must be used within one year of original booking. For travel beyond that, the award miles will have to be redeposited and new awards secured.
Award cancellations can be by phone or online, but online cancellation requires separate action to reinstate the miles. Canceling online does not request or result in miles redeposit.
Award miles reinstatement: Redeposit fees are waived for Executive Platinum members. See here for more information on award miles reinstatement.
"Upgrading" class of service by using miles requires redepositing the original award and issuing a new one for the higher class if service. AA will waive the deposit fee on the redeposited award, and will not charge for this. (However, taxes may differ, such as going from the discounted U.K. Air Passenger Duty to the full APD if upgrading from Y / PE to J; if there are higher taxes and fees imposed by the new fare, the passenger is charged for those.)
Co-terminals: For award purposes, there are no co-terminals; changing co-terminal airports (MIA and FLL, PBI; JFK, LGA, EWR etc.) will incur a $150 change fee. See this thread for detail on award miles redeposit.
An award using AS, FJ, HA or TN to South Pacific (e.g. AKL, SYD) can not be changed to AA or QF without requiring award redeposit (or vice versa).
Dropping segments: Awards made on AA or / and "all partner" carriers will allow changes mentioned above without requiring redeposit fees. Instances of dropping an origin segment can be allowed, or a final segment - as long as doing so does not change the destination zone (or sub-zone, in the case of intra-North America awards); changing the mileage (miles required) of the award claimed or the number of awards claimed.
Segments can be dropped as long as doing so does not change the destination zone (or sub-zone, in the case of intra-North America awards). If you are refused, refer agents to the in-house memo/advisory dated 02/03/11 entitled "Dropping OWFA segments." (guv1976)
As JonNYC posted:
This document was current as of December 2014:
For permitted changes and fees, see this post in the airline partner award thread.
If the award is AA and oneworld, changes may be made as long as the main / governing /Most Significant Carrier makes an unconstructed fare on the award routing and the governing fare's carrier is not changed to one not offering such a fare.
Close-in booking fee: Changes made to bring travel to under 21 days from award issue will incur close-in booking fees of $75.
Schedule changes: On international awards, schedule changes of two hours or longer, or those breaking connections by bringing them below MCT / minimum connection times, flight cancellations, generally may be cancelled and redeposited without fees, or engender greater flexibility in changes. With AA awards, it is possible award seating may be opened when there is none; with partners, AA can appeal to the Liaison to the partner to open seating in these cases (the partner airline may or may not grant the exception requested). Equipment change constitutes a schedule change and you will be able to get the fee waived pre this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Partner changes: If the award includes non-oneworld partners such as AS, EY, FJ or TN, or a oneworld carrier award is changed to include a non-oneworld carrier, or vice versa, significant fees will be incurred ($150).
"Upgrading" class of service by using miles requires redepositing the original award and issuing a new one for the higher class if service. AA will waive the deposit fee on the redeposited award, and will not charge for this. (However, taxes may differ, such as going from the discounted U.K. Air Passenger Duty to the full APD if upgrading from Y / PE to J; if there are higher taxes abd fees imposed by the new fare, the passenger is charged for those.)
Changes that require different award type -
Changes to the itinerary which involve different AAdvantage award(s) than originally ticketed require a reinstatement of the original award ticket, payment of the applicable award reinstatement charge (see below), and a new award ticket issued (waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members using miles from their account). However, SAAver awards canceled for AAnytime awards, or changing to a higher class of service, will not incur redeposit fees.
Changes to your outbound travel date, resulting in a departure within 21 days -
Close-in booking fee: A $75 USD award processing charge will apply for a confirmed change to the date on an AAdvantage MileSAAver and AAnytime award ticket if the change results in a new outbound travel date that is within 21 days of the original booking date (waived for AAdvantage elite members using miles from their account).
Contact AAdvantage Reservations to change your itinerary, pay the applicable charge and have your ticket reissued prior to travel.
Canceling Awards / Reinstating Award Tickets
(Waived for AAdvantage Executive Platinum members using miles from their account)
AAdvantage® mileage will be reinstated for unused and unexpired awards upon payment of a processing fee. For tickets booked on or after November 1, 2018, AAdvantage®mileage will be reinstated upon payment of a processing fee for unused and unexpired awards canceled prior to departure. For each additional award reinstatement from the same account at the same time, an additional charge will be collected. These charges are payable by credit card.
Award class changes: MileSAAver to AAnytime changes generally incur no fees; conversely, AAnytime to MileSAAver awards generally will.
Award cabin class "upgrades" (e.g. Y to J): If the change made is an increase of miles to another cabin class, fees are not normally charged (but some government required fees such as UK Air Passenger Duty, airport passenger facility fees, etc. may change).
Redepositing awards incurs a fee of $150 other than for Executive Platinum members redepositing to their accounts. If two or more awards are being redeposited to the same account at the same time, the fees are $150 for the first award, $25 for every award thereafter. Note the awards do not have to share the same PNR, though some less knowledgeable agents will insist so.
Note: given a 120 hr / 5 day hold is offered, there is no right to “Free” cancellation (without redeposit) within 24 hours of securing the award. OTOH, mere date changes to a year from Booking are free of charge in most instances.
Please see: State of the award reinstatement fee (Nov 2015 - clarifying)
FAQ: Cancel award ticket / cancellation (time frame, taxes, etc.) (merged threads)
Link to ARCHIVE 2017: Award Change for date, time, routing, co-terminal, cost, all changes.
Link to ARCHIVE 2015-2016: Award Change for date, time, routing, co-terminal, cost, all changes.
Link to ARCHIVE 2012-14: Award Change for date, time, routing, co-terminal, cost, all changes.
Voluntary Award Change / changes: date, time, routing, airline, co-terminal, etc.
Oct 28, 2018, 12:42 pm
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
You're not just changing the routing - you're changing the award type. That's not necessarily fee-free as noted in the lengthy free changes thread.
Oct 28, 2018, 12:47 pm
#122
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PHX
Programs: AA Gold, WN A+ & CP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 3,246
scoob - I think you’re underestimating the absurd BA “fuel surcharges” (ha!). If you start a dummy booking with the new desired BA routIng it will show you the fees you would have to pay to issue that ticket. Prepare to be dumbfounded - they are often > 50% (sometimes MUCH more) of the cost of a cash ticket.
It’s a complete scam.
Oct 28, 2018, 1:00 pm
#123
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
erik123 / guv1976 / Merlinrnr - Many thanks all for your replies. 
That's a little frustrating that a fee will be levied because of any non-OW to OW award change in spite of the origin/destination remaining the same. But thank you all the same for alerting me to this as I was a little suspicious that any such change would be free. In saying that, I'm a believer in HUCA, Merlinrnr, so thanks for making that comment -- if I do end up making this award change, I will certainly give the HUCA approach a good work-out first.
That's a little frustrating that a fee will be levied because of any non-OW to OW award change in spite of the origin/destination remaining the same. But thank you all the same for alerting me to this as I was a little suspicious that any such change would be free. In saying that, I'm a believer in HUCA, Merlinrnr, so thanks for making that comment -- if I do end up making this award change, I will certainly give the HUCA approach a good work-out first. As well, you might want to read https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/amer...er-thread.html.
Moderator
You’ll have to pay $150 to switch from an all-partner award using a non-oneworld partner to one using a oneworld partner (or vice versa), as indicated in the Wikipost.
Oct 29, 2018, 2:12 pm
#124
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 407
scoob - I think you’re underestimating the absurd BA “fuel surcharges” (ha!). If you start a dummy booking with the new desired BA routIng it will show you the fees you would have to pay to issue that ticket. Prepare to be dumbfounded - they are often > 50% (sometimes MUCH more) of the cost of a cash ticket.
It’s a complete scam.
).At the moment, I have EY J booked (NRT-AUH-LHR), and I only mentioned BA really to see whether changing the award would actually be punitive. It clearly would be with BA given the YQ and also the AA charge (though would I be right in thinking the AA charge of $150 is for the booking change rather than per passenger? There are two pax in the booking, you see.) My hope would actually be for JAL F to open up -- which I have already booked on the reverse journey (LHR-HND) -- and I'd be prepared to pay the AA charge if JAL F did open up. But anyway, I digress -- sorry!
Thanks so much for your input and advice -- I greatly appreciate it! (As I did 3Cforme and JDiver's replies -- thank you!)
Oct 29, 2018, 3:13 pm
#125
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
spongenotbob -- many thanks for the above. Sadly, yes, I'm all too aware of BA's approach -- I'm British, London-based, and this airline is sadly the one I use the most. Their fuel surcharges are daylight robbery, as you rightly say, and as justhere also rightly mentions (thank you ).
At the moment, I have EY J booked (NRT-AUH-LHR), and I only mentioned BA really to see whether changing the award would actually be punitive. It clearly would be with BA given the YQ and also the AA charge (though would I be right in thinking the AA charge of $150 is for the booking change rather than per passenger? There are two pax in the booking, you see.) My hope would actually be for JAL F to open up -- which I have already booked on the reverse journey (LHR-HND) -- and I'd be prepared to pay the AA charge if JAL F did open up. But anyway, I digress -- sorry!
Thanks so much for your input and advice -- I greatly appreciate it! (As I did 3Cforme and JDiver's replies -- thank you!)
).At the moment, I have EY J booked (NRT-AUH-LHR), and I only mentioned BA really to see whether changing the award would actually be punitive. It clearly would be with BA given the YQ and also the AA charge (though would I be right in thinking the AA charge of $150 is for the booking change rather than per passenger? There are two pax in the booking, you see.) My hope would actually be for JAL F to open up -- which I have already booked on the reverse journey (LHR-HND) -- and I'd be prepared to pay the AA charge if JAL F did open up. But anyway, I digress -- sorry!
Thanks so much for your input and advice -- I greatly appreciate it! (As I did 3Cforme and JDiver's replies -- thank you!)
Oct 30, 2018, 6:06 am
#126
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 407
Nov 20, 2018, 6:34 pm
#127
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, former DL Gold
Posts: 290
Sorry, it's been a while since I redeemed AA miles and wanted to see if the free "upgrading" feature with award tickets was still in effect.
In particular, looking at booking NRT-DFW-ATL, but only available in sAAver coach (T). If something opened up in business (U), would I be able to change to business just by paying the additional miles, with the waived $150 change fee? I'm assuming this would also be possible if NRT-ORD/LAX opened up on JL or AA as well.
Thanks!!
In particular, looking at booking NRT-DFW-ATL, but only available in sAAver coach (T). If something opened up in business (U), would I be able to change to business just by paying the additional miles, with the waived $150 change fee? I'm assuming this would also be possible if NRT-ORD/LAX opened up on JL or AA as well.
Thanks!!
Nov 21, 2018, 5:50 am
#128
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
Sorry, it's been a while since I redeemed AA miles and wanted to see if the free "upgrading" feature with award tickets was still in effect.
In particular, looking at booking NRT-DFW-ATL, but only available in sAAver coach (T). If something opened up in business (U), would I be able to change to business just by paying the additional miles, with the waived $150 change fee? I'm assuming this would also be possible if NRT-ORD/LAX opened up on JL or AA as well.
Thanks!!
In particular, looking at booking NRT-DFW-ATL, but only available in sAAver coach (T). If something opened up in business (U), would I be able to change to business just by paying the additional miles, with the waived $150 change fee? I'm assuming this would also be possible if NRT-ORD/LAX opened up on JL or AA as well.
Thanks!!
Jan 3, 2019, 11:19 am
#130
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
I have some questions about the following scenario: I have a number of biz awards on hold for YVR-HKG for Nov 2019, I knew the award zones for ex-Canada were re-merging with the US zone so that the current 72,500 award will drop to 70,000. Normally I wouldnt care about the 2,500 miles but in this case I wont have enough miles to issue them from my EXP account, which I want to do for the purposes of allowing some free changes (adding HKG-SGN or REP or HAN assuming that eventually opens).
I am Seattle based and had initially thought about just adding AS SEA-YVR on to get US 70k pricing, but alas, there is no availability within 24 hours. But there is lots of DFW-YVR space in U, so I wonder, can I book DFW-YVR-HKG at 70k from my EXP account and then once Jan 16 comes around call up and drop the DFW-YVR segments without the agents having to drop the YVR-HKG seats back into inventory (and thus chancing that they wont come back)? I am not sure if the change in award type, from AA+partner to partner only would require AA releasing the award space and trying to regrab it, fees aside (since they would be from an EXP account). Any thoughts?
I am Seattle based and had initially thought about just adding AS SEA-YVR on to get US 70k pricing, but alas, there is no availability within 24 hours. But there is lots of DFW-YVR space in U, so I wonder, can I book DFW-YVR-HKG at 70k from my EXP account and then once Jan 16 comes around call up and drop the DFW-YVR segments without the agents having to drop the YVR-HKG seats back into inventory (and thus chancing that they wont come back)? I am not sure if the change in award type, from AA+partner to partner only would require AA releasing the award space and trying to regrab it, fees aside (since they would be from an EXP account). Any thoughts?
Jan 3, 2019, 12:13 pm
#131
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498
I have some questions about the following scenario: I have a number of biz awards on hold for YVR-HKG for Nov 2019, I knew the award zones for ex-Canada were re-merging with the US zone so that the current 72,500 award will drop to 70,000. Normally I wouldnt care about the 2,500 miles but in this case I wont have enough miles to issue them from my EXP account, which I want to do for the purposes of allowing some free changes (adding HKG-SGN or REP or HAN assuming that eventually opens).
I am Seattle based and had initially thought about just adding AS SEA-YVR on to get US 70k pricing, but alas, there is no availability within 24 hours. But there is lots of DFW-YVR space in U, so I wonder, can I book DFW-YVR-HKG at 70k from my EXP account and then once Jan 16 comes around call up and drop the DFW-YVR segments without the agents having to drop the YVR-HKG seats back into inventory (and thus chancing that they wont come back)? I am not sure if the change in award type, from AA+partner to partner only would require AA releasing the award space and trying to regrab it, fees aside (since they would be from an EXP account). Any thoughts?
I am Seattle based and had initially thought about just adding AS SEA-YVR on to get US 70k pricing, but alas, there is no availability within 24 hours. But there is lots of DFW-YVR space in U, so I wonder, can I book DFW-YVR-HKG at 70k from my EXP account and then once Jan 16 comes around call up and drop the DFW-YVR segments without the agents having to drop the YVR-HKG seats back into inventory (and thus chancing that they wont come back)? I am not sure if the change in award type, from AA+partner to partner only would require AA releasing the award space and trying to regrab it, fees aside (since they would be from an EXP account). Any thoughts?
Jan 3, 2019, 4:52 pm
#132
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
Thanks, I was worried about the elusive space on DFW-YVR Disappearing so I called in and had an agent add that segment to each reservation.
Jan 3, 2019, 5:04 pm
#133
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
,YVR is a different Country than DFW.
Jan 5, 2019, 12:17 pm
#135
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,498