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 $150 each.
Q. If I purchase an award by 22 March, how far out can I change the award (within the parameters given)?
An award must be used within one year of issue.
NOTE: Region changes
- Bolivia and Manaus, Brasil: changing from South America 2 to South America 1
- Venezuela: changing from South America 1 to South America 2
- Guam: changing from Asia 2 to South Pacific
- Sri Lanka: changing from Asia 2 to Indian Subcontinent/Middle East
- Kiribati, Palau, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu: added to South Pacific region
FAQ: Award changes 22 Mar 2016 - incl. which incur new mile amt, redeposit, which not
Feb 25, 2016, 10:32 pm
#107
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
I want to book JFK-HKG-MNL to lock in a F price before 3/22. When the transpac F becomes available, I know I can upgrade the JFK-HKG to F for no fee or difference in miles post 3/22. However, I am not sure I can drop HKG-MNL without having to pay the new award price. The CSR who set my flight hold said that if I tried to drop it after 3/22, they will have to reissue, but there's no 150$ 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 26, 2016, 12:45 am
#108
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: AA++
Posts: 224
I just got off the phone with AA agent.
1. I asked her if I book AA F from NRT-LAX and later on change to JL F, there will be no problem and only pay the tax differences, since it is from oneworld to another oneworld.
2. If I book and pay for a ticket from NRT-LAX JL F for march 12, and
I change plan not to go at march 12 and will go at later date, she said just call before march 12 to cancel and the ticket is good for later date without penalty.
Are these 2 correct?
1. I asked her if I book AA F from NRT-LAX and later on change to JL F, there will be no problem and only pay the tax differences, since it is from oneworld to another oneworld.
2. If I book and pay for a ticket from NRT-LAX JL F for march 12, and
I change plan not to go at march 12 and will go at later date, she said just call before march 12 to cancel and the ticket is good for later date without penalty.
Are these 2 correct?
Feb 26, 2016, 7:35 am
#109
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 474
I just got off the phone with AA agent.
1. I asked her if I book AA F from NRT-LAX and later on change to JL F, there will be no problem and only pay the tax differences, since it is from oneworld to another oneworld.
2. If I book and pay for a ticket from NRT-LAX JL F for march 12, and
I change plan not to go at march 12 and will go at later date, she said just call before march 12 to cancel and the ticket is good for later date without penalty.
Are these 2 correct?
1. I asked her if I book AA F from NRT-LAX and later on change to JL F, there will be no problem and only pay the tax differences, since it is from oneworld to another oneworld.
2. If I book and pay for a ticket from NRT-LAX JL F for march 12, and
I change plan not to go at march 12 and will go at later date, she said just call before march 12 to cancel and the ticket is good for later date without penalty.
Are these 2 correct?
(VFTW confirmed this in his post--"You cannot change award types, which means you can’t go from American only to flying partners.)" http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....-future-trips/
Feb 26, 2016, 7:37 am
#110
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: AA Ex Plt
Posts: 474
One thing you could do is tag onto your itinerary a JL flight from KIX-NRT; ticket it; and then call to have that segment dropped (at no charge). Your ticket should, then, I believe, remain a OW award ticket, even though it only has AA flights on it at that point.
Feb 26, 2016, 8:02 am
#111
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Home airports:SRQ,TPA,RSW
Programs: AA 0.4MM, BA G, LH SEN,TK S, HH Dia, Sixt Plat, Hertz Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 2,689
Japan award - AAF vs JL F
Hi guys,
I'm trying to book an award to Japan (2 adults + one infant ).
Right now there is not F availability for my dates on JL, while AA F is wide open but on the 772 both via LAX and DFW.
I want to book before march 22nd but of course it's more likely than not that F won't open up until later on.
To avoid incurring in fees/increased mileage should I book:
1) on the available AA, XX-DFW/LAX-NRT and Back and hope JL F opens up and switch last minute? I have a feeling that going from an all AA to a AA/JL (only domestic segments on AA) will trigger a re-price.
2) add on a NRT-KIX segment on the outbound (I wanted to go to Osaka/Kyoto anyway) so that if JL opens up I'm good to go and I can switch without triggering any reprice.
3) try to find 2 tix on JL F for a date in the distant future and then hope to change dates if JL opens up for my original wanted dates (post 3/22)?
thanks
I'm trying to book an award to Japan (2 adults + one infant ).
Right now there is not F availability for my dates on JL, while AA F is wide open but on the 772 both via LAX and DFW.
I want to book before march 22nd but of course it's more likely than not that F won't open up until later on.
To avoid incurring in fees/increased mileage should I book:
1) on the available AA, XX-DFW/LAX-NRT and Back and hope JL F opens up and switch last minute? I have a feeling that going from an all AA to a AA/JL (only domestic segments on AA) will trigger a re-price.
2) add on a NRT-KIX segment on the outbound (I wanted to go to Osaka/Kyoto anyway) so that if JL opens up I'm good to go and I can switch without triggering any reprice.
3) try to find 2 tix on JL F for a date in the distant future and then hope to change dates if JL opens up for my original wanted dates (post 3/22)?
thanks
Feb 26, 2016, 9:44 am
#112
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: Marriott LT Plat; WoH Exp; AS Gold; AA Plat
Posts: 369
Hi guys,
I'm trying to book an award to Japan (2 adults + one infant ).
Right now there is not F availability for my dates on JL, while AA F is wide open but on the 772 both via LAX and DFW.
I want to book before march 22nd but of course it's more likely than not that F won't open up until later on.
To avoid incurring in fees/increased mileage should I book:
1) on the available AA, XX-DFW/LAX-NRT and Back and hope JL F opens up and switch last minute? I have a feeling that going from an all AA to a AA/JL (only domestic segments on AA) will trigger a re-price.
2) add on a NRT-KIX segment on the outbound (I wanted to go to Osaka/Kyoto anyway) so that if JL opens up I'm good to go and I can switch without triggering any reprice.
3) try to find 2 tix on JL F for a date in the distant future and then hope to change dates if JL opens up for my original wanted dates (post 3/22)?
thanks
I'm trying to book an award to Japan (2 adults + one infant ).
Right now there is not F availability for my dates on JL, while AA F is wide open but on the 772 both via LAX and DFW.
I want to book before march 22nd but of course it's more likely than not that F won't open up until later on.
To avoid incurring in fees/increased mileage should I book:
1) on the available AA, XX-DFW/LAX-NRT and Back and hope JL F opens up and switch last minute? I have a feeling that going from an all AA to a AA/JL (only domestic segments on AA) will trigger a re-price.
2) add on a NRT-KIX segment on the outbound (I wanted to go to Osaka/Kyoto anyway) so that if JL opens up I'm good to go and I can switch without triggering any reprice.
3) try to find 2 tix on JL F for a date in the distant future and then hope to change dates if JL opens up for my original wanted dates (post 3/22)?
thanks
Feb 26, 2016, 9:51 am
#113
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Home airports:SRQ,TPA,RSW
Programs: AA 0.4MM, BA G, LH SEN,TK S, HH Dia, Sixt Plat, Hertz Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 2,689
yep, but very hard to come by, not seeing JL F, even 330 days out.
Feb 26, 2016, 9:59 am
#114
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Home airports:SRQ,TPA,RSW
Programs: AA 0.4MM, BA G, LH SEN,TK S, HH Dia, Sixt Plat, Hertz Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 2,689
finding it via ORD this coming monday, 2 F seats. 4C and 4 Y+. If anyone wants to take a quick trip to Japan! but I'd need to keep on calling for the next 2 months and move it out every week!
Feb 26, 2016, 2:39 pm
#115
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Houston, TX/Australia
Programs: AA EXP/Exec Citi, NZ* G, Nat EE, Avis PP, HH Gold
Posts: 649
If you were going the other way, you could MAYBE book LAX-NRT on AA and NRT-KIX on JL, then if LAX-NRT on JL opens up, you call and switch the LAX-NRT flight to FL, then drop the NRT-KIX flight. If you drop the last segment first, it would switch to an AA only award.
Feb 26, 2016, 2:56 pm
#116
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: BOS
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 2,028
Do you have evidence of this? I don't believe this is correct. You wouldn't be dropping the last segment, you would be changing your origin.
If you were going the other way, you could MAYBE book LAX-NRT on AA and NRT-KIX on JL, then if LAX-NRT on JL opens up, you call and switch the LAX-NRT flight to FL, then drop the NRT-KIX flight. If you drop the last segment first, it would switch to an AA only award.
If you were going the other way, you could MAYBE book LAX-NRT on AA and NRT-KIX on JL, then if LAX-NRT on JL opens up, you call and switch the LAX-NRT flight to FL, then drop the NRT-KIX flight. If you drop the last segment first, it would switch to an AA only award.
Goes against what one would think based on the rules today, but that's what hes saying (in his example, it's dropping HKG-MNL on a JFK-HKG-MNL trip).
Feb 26, 2016, 3:02 pm
#117
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
In what way does that go against the rules as they exist now?
Feb 26, 2016, 5:45 pm
#118
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Houston, TX/Australia
Programs: AA EXP/Exec Citi, NZ* G, Nat EE, Avis PP, HH Gold
Posts: 649
VTTW is claiming that he was told by AA that dropping the last segment within the same region (e.g., within Asia 1 in this case) will be allowed.
Goes against what one would think based on the rules today, but that's what hes saying (in his example, it's dropping HKG-MNL on a JFK-HKG-MNL trip).
Goes against what one would think based on the rules today, but that's what hes saying (in his example, it's dropping HKG-MNL on a JFK-HKG-MNL trip).
Feb 26, 2016, 5:57 pm
#119
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
http://travelingbetter.vbulletin.net...lexible?t=4814
Feb 26, 2016, 6:06 pm
#120
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: AY+ Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,846
I just got off the phone with AA agent.
1. I asked her if I book AA F from NRT-LAX and later on change to JL F, there will be no problem and only pay the tax differences, since it is from oneworld to another oneworld.
2. If I book and pay for a ticket from NRT-LAX JL F for march 12, and
I change plan not to go at march 12 and will go at later date, she said just call before march 12 to cancel and the ticket is good for later date without penalty.
Are these 2 correct?
1. I asked her if I book AA F from NRT-LAX and later on change to JL F, there will be no problem and only pay the tax differences, since it is from oneworld to another oneworld.
2. If I book and pay for a ticket from NRT-LAX JL F for march 12, and
I change plan not to go at march 12 and will go at later date, she said just call before march 12 to cancel and the ticket is good for later date without penalty.
Are these 2 correct?
2. I think what the agent means is that you can change the date on an award ticket without paying a penalty or paying new rates after 3/22. However, this is dependent on there being award space for the new date. If there is not, I don't think you can simply cancel the award ticket and then at some later date use that same ticket--although I may be wrong here. If you can in fact simply cancel and then rebook at a later date, this would seem a good way to get around the $150 reinstate fee, as long as you plan on using the same award within a year.