Jan 31, 2016, 10:58 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
FAQ: Award changes after 21 March 2016 - which incur redeposit, which not
Award prices in miles are changing effective 22 Mar 2016. Many members have been asking which changes can be made on pre-existing awards on or after 22 Mar 2016 without requiring miles redeposit and issuance of new awards at the new prices - and we finally have some answers as given by the AA spokesperson through a timely article by Gary Leff and a char set c/o Smiley90 from here
Mile changes in absolute numbers (k)
Mile changes in percentage
Mile changes in percentage
First award change chart as of 22 Mar c/o Gary Leff
NOTE: 22 March 2026, several agents are saying what Gary Leff's quoted Ms. Nedbal stated, or parts of it, are not being honored.
According to Gary Leff (View from the Wing, Boarding Area, 31 Jan 2016), Laura Nedbal, spokesperson for AA, said:
Gary: "I sought further clarification and learned:
- You can change date and time without repricing the award, while keeping airlines and routing constant.
- You can change routing without repricing the award, while keeping the airlines constant, with a few caveats. Basically you cannot break the fare. You cannot add a stopover. You’re going to have to stick with a legal routing for the primary carrier on the itinerary.
- You can not change Origin or Destination, even within the same region, without causing reissue at the current award rates.
- You cannot change award types, which means you can’t go from American only to flying partners. You can’t go from extra mileage award to saver award without a redeposit of miles and re-issue."
This will require re-issue at the new rates.
Q. What if I change routing, but use the same origin, destination and airlines?
No problem, even changing connection cities and number of segments. Laura Nedbal: "Origin/dest stays same and since all carriers are oneworld there would be no charge to change carriers. Provided again, the same inventory/award as ticketed is available for change."
Q. What if I want to change from a oneworld airline such as QR to a non-oneworld partner such as EY, but keep the same origin and destination?
You will be required to redeposit the miles and secure new awards at the new rates if after 22 March.
Q. What if I want to change the award type (AAnytime to MileSAAver, MileSAAver to reduced miles, etc.), but keep the same origin and destination?
You will be required to redeposit the miles and secure new awards at the new rates if after 22 March.
Q. What if I want to change class of service and keep everything else the same?
You will be required to redeposit the miles and secure new awards at the new rates if after 22 March.
Q. Is there a limit to the number of times I can change my pre-22 Mar award booking?
Many/most flyers have reported no issues with multiple changes for pre-22 Mar award bookings. Some AA EP agents and at least one supervisor have stated the rule is only ONE VOLUNTARY CHANGE will be allowed to keep the award at the pre-22 March level. A second or subsequent voluntary change will require conversion to the new chart and "paying" more miles.
Q. What would it cost me to redeposit an award? Two or more awards?
Redepositing an award costs $150 (plus $25 for each other award secured with miles from the same account). These redeposit fees are waived if the account is that of an Executive Platinum AAdvantage member. Link to FT thread: AA award reinstatement / miles redeposit fees, issues, questions (consolidated)
If they are separate awards on different PNRs they may require $150 each.
Q. If I purchase an award by 22 March, how far out can I change the award (within the parameters given)?
An award must be used within one year of issue.
NOTE: Region changes
- Bolivia and Manaus, Brasil: changing from South America 2 to South America 1
- Venezuela: changing from South America 1 to South America 2
- Guam: changing from Asia 2 to South Pacific
- Sri Lanka: changing from Asia 2 to Indian Subcontinent/Middle East
- Kiribati, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu: added to South Pacific region
FAQ: Award changes 22 Mar 2016 - incl. which incur new mile amt, redeposit, which not
Feb 21, 2016, 9:18 am
#91
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
I have SGN-HKG-ORD (all CX J)- SEA (AS F) all booked but now realized that the SGN-HKG flight leaves too early and I want to move to the evening flight (also CX). The problem is there is only Y space on the evening flight.
I'm hoping that if I move us to that evening flight and take a voluntary downgrade for that segment and when space eventually opens in J anticipating that I can rebook us, even post-March 22, without a redeposit and recalculation at the new award rates.
I know this would work with a pure oneworld award, but curious am I going to get a different result due to the AS segments at the end?
I'm hoping that if I move us to that evening flight and take a voluntary downgrade for that segment and when space eventually opens in J anticipating that I can rebook us, even post-March 22, without a redeposit and recalculation at the new award rates.
I know this would work with a pure oneworld award, but curious am I going to get a different result due to the AS segments at the end?
Feb 21, 2016, 9:45 am
#92
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
I'm currently booked DEL (BA J) - LHR (BA F) - JFK, priced as a ME First award. I'm assuming that if BA F opens up on the DEL->LHR leg I should be able to snag a seat without repricing since I've already received a ME FC award and I'm not changing flights, routing, etc., but I can't seem to find an answer.
Feb 21, 2016, 2:34 pm
#93
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 91
It seems to me that the safest bet at this moment would be:
(1) find F (or J) award space in the remote future, when the exactly same routing and "major" carriers you desire are available AND the whole ticket can be priced as a F (or J).
(2) when the F (or J) award space opens up at desired departure date, call and request date/time change.
One question I have is the forced "lock-in now and upgrade later" tactics. That is, if I have an one-way award (PVG-JFK) like:
PVG-HND on JL J
HND-SFO on JL J
SFO-JFK on AA F
ticketed at 67.5k miles. After 3.22, would I be able to change the HND-SFO to JL F w/o triggering the mileage price increase?
(1) find F (or J) award space in the remote future, when the exactly same routing and "major" carriers you desire are available AND the whole ticket can be priced as a F (or J).
(2) when the F (or J) award space opens up at desired departure date, call and request date/time change.
One question I have is the forced "lock-in now and upgrade later" tactics. That is, if I have an one-way award (PVG-JFK) like:
PVG-HND on JL J
HND-SFO on JL J
SFO-JFK on AA F
ticketed at 67.5k miles. After 3.22, would I be able to change the HND-SFO to JL F w/o triggering the mileage price increase?
Feb 22, 2016, 7:47 am
#94
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
I've been looking at a similar itinerary, but am pushing for CX F. There's currently no CX F availability for my return flights - so I've found a routing which adds a CX F leg, but with AA for the majority... for the moment I've ticketed:
JFK-ORD-HKG (AA-CX F)
HKG-NRT-DFW-JFK (CX-AA-AA F)
I'd appreciate it if someone could sanity check my understanding here, but I presume changing the outbound for a CX F direct (subject to avail) should be no problem?
For the return leg, I understand that having a partner on there is the critical item since doing HKG-DFW-JFK (AA) would then hit the "All American" award reprice issue. However, with the return routing above would I be correct in thinking a post 3/22 change to HKG-JFK CX F shouldn't require a reprice since it's already a partner award?
JFK-ORD-HKG (AA-CX F)
HKG-NRT-DFW-JFK (CX-AA-AA F)
I'd appreciate it if someone could sanity check my understanding here, but I presume changing the outbound for a CX F direct (subject to avail) should be no problem?
For the return leg, I understand that having a partner on there is the critical item since doing HKG-DFW-JFK (AA) would then hit the "All American" award reprice issue. However, with the return routing above would I be correct in thinking a post 3/22 change to HKG-JFK CX F shouldn't require a reprice since it's already a partner award?
YYZ-ORD on AA
ORD-NRT on AA
NRT-HKG on JL
It's a much longer itinerary than necessary. Hoping to re-book as YYZ-HKG direct on CX closer to departure, and possibly change by a day.
Based on people's understanding/hunches would such a change incur a re-pricing of the award?
Feb 22, 2016, 3:17 pm
#95
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 181
I want to book JFK-HKG-MNL to lock in a F price before 3/22. When the transpac F becomes available, I know I can upgrade the JFK-HKG to F for no fee or difference in miles post 3/22. However, I am not sure I can drop HKG-MNL without having to pay the new award price. The CSR who set my flight hold said that if I tried to drop it after 3/22, they will have to reissue, but there's no 150$ change fee (but still an extra 50k miles needed). Was the CSR wrong or is this a situation where we won't know what will happen until after 3/22?
Alternatively, if I ticketed JFK-HKG-MNL at 67.500, and then dropped HKG-MNL BEFORE 3/22, will the J leg cause a redeposit + 150$ fee? Or does the voluntary downgrade still hold, and then I can upgrade that leg post 3/22 since I already used 67.500 miles.
I know VFTW posted about this strategy, and even with the OWFA memo, I still think it's going to be a dodgy time.
Alternatively, if I ticketed JFK-HKG-MNL at 67.500, and then dropped HKG-MNL BEFORE 3/22, will the J leg cause a redeposit + 150$ fee? Or does the voluntary downgrade still hold, and then I can upgrade that leg post 3/22 since I already used 67.500 miles.
I know VFTW posted about this strategy, and even with the OWFA memo, I still think it's going to be a dodgy time.
Feb 22, 2016, 4:42 pm
#96
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I want to book JFK-HKG-MNL to lock in a F price before 3/22. When the transpac F becomes available, I know I can upgrade the JFK-HKG to F for no fee or difference in miles post 3/22. However, I am not sure I can drop HKG-MNL without having to pay the new award price. ...
Simple. Done.
Feb 22, 2016, 5:04 pm
#97
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SNA
Programs: AA gold, DL Gold, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Plat
Posts: 446
I have a MileSAAver award BOM/HKG/BOM. Oubound 9W X and inbound CX U. Will changing 9W X to CX X on oubound result in reprice? Thanks
Feb 22, 2016, 5:47 pm
#99
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
If this is a one way and you are skipping the last segment, all known evidence says you have nothing to worry about.
Feb 22, 2016, 6:07 pm
#100
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: AA++
Posts: 224
Hi. I read this thread about AA vs partner flights changes.
I saw an opening from CGK to NRT to LAX with JL(J) and AA(F) in sequence. For end of march departure.
1.If I ticket this and later NRT-LAX with JL F opens up, can I change?
2. If later CX F from HKG to LAX opens up, can i change to CGK-HKG-LAX?
I saw an opening from CGK to NRT to LAX with JL(J) and AA(F) in sequence. For end of march departure.
1.If I ticket this and later NRT-LAX with JL F opens up, can I change?
2. If later CX F from HKG to LAX opens up, can i change to CGK-HKG-LAX?
Feb 24, 2016, 11:52 pm
#101
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
I'm still trying to wrap my head around what's allowed to keep current pre-devaluation award pricing. Gary from VFTW apparently contacted AA lay month and asked about a bunch of scenarios. The one I'm interested in is how he locks in the US-HKG F pricing my adding in the HKG-MNL F segment. If I do this and I don't want to go to MNL, can I just "throw away" that segment later without paying a redeposit fee?
Feb 25, 2016, 8:52 pm
#102
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
I'm still trying to wrap my head around what's allowed to keep current pre-devaluation award pricing. Gary from VFTW apparently contacted AA lay month and asked about a bunch of scenarios. The one I'm interested in is how he locks in the US-HKG F pricing my adding in the HKG-MNL F segment. If I do this and I don't want to go to MNL, can I just "throw away" that segment later without paying a redeposit fee?
Feb 25, 2016, 9:33 pm
#103
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Have a July BOS-JFK-HKG ticket booked on CX F for the longhaul.
There's a chance I'll need to drop the BOS-JFK, but I won't know until well after the devaluation. If that is the case, I won't have time to reposition back to BOS just to fly back to JFK.
Any chance there won't be a reprice if I drop the BOS-JFK segment? I know the typical AA rules (being that this would require a redeposit), BUT...VFTW made a comment that on a JFK-HKG-MNL (with HKG-MNL in F, forcing an F award), AA told him that he could just drop the HKG-MNL from the award with no redeposit, since it is in the same zone. Any chance that same idea applies for the first (intra-US) leg?
My gut tells me definitely, definitely not, but I wanted to check.
If there's no consensus, I'll drop the BOS-JFK leg now, and just book it separately with cash or Avios.
Thanks!
There's a chance I'll need to drop the BOS-JFK, but I won't know until well after the devaluation. If that is the case, I won't have time to reposition back to BOS just to fly back to JFK.
Any chance there won't be a reprice if I drop the BOS-JFK segment? I know the typical AA rules (being that this would require a redeposit), BUT...VFTW made a comment that on a JFK-HKG-MNL (with HKG-MNL in F, forcing an F award), AA told him that he could just drop the HKG-MNL from the award with no redeposit, since it is in the same zone. Any chance that same idea applies for the first (intra-US) leg?
My gut tells me definitely, definitely not, but I wanted to check.
If there's no consensus, I'll drop the BOS-JFK leg now, and just book it separately with cash or Avios.
Thanks!
Feb 25, 2016, 9:34 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
VTFW is claiming that AA told him he'll be able to drop HKG-MNL from the booking at no charge, since it is also within Asia 2 (AKA, this will work for other cities as well that have an F cabin from HKG).
Even if this doesn't work in practice, you can always just "skip" the last leg (HKG-MNL). Just book it as two one-ways to not have your return flight canceled.
Even if this doesn't work in practice, you can always just "skip" the last leg (HKG-MNL). Just book it as two one-ways to not have your return flight canceled.
Feb 25, 2016, 9:37 pm
#105
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Houston, TX/Australia
Programs: AA EXP/Exec Citi, NZ* G, Nat EE, Avis PP, HH Gold
Posts: 649
I believe this may have been discussed specifically here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...posit-not.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...posit-not.html