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
Jan 26, 2017, 8:07 am
#1321
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 122
I have an HKG-NRT-LAX on CX-AA, I want to skip NRT and do direct HKG-LAX on CX. I've already changed the date once from Feb to March, now I want to change the routing and the AAgent won't let me. I've HUCA a few times already and they kept saying routing cannot be changed. I thought I could change the routing as long as it stays as a partner award? What gives?
Jan 26, 2017, 8:13 am
#1322
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Gary Leff covers some of the conflicting answers/info issue in a post today:
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....aking-changes/
http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea....aking-changes/
American made its change rules clear but over the past year members have tilted at windmills trying to get those rules honored for anymore more than just a simple date change...
...Yet plenty of members have had problems getting these rules honored.
...Yet plenty of members have had problems getting these rules honored.
Jan 26, 2017, 6:51 pm
#1323
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
There is no advantage for booking multiple awards under same PNR, same ticket other than saving redeposit fee.
However the disadvantage far outweigh it especially awards rarely booked initially with optimal routing / dates. Airlines also would change schedules / cancel flights. Over the course from initial booking to finally starting the trip - I would venture to say an award often goes thru multiple voluntary / involuntary changes. Much easier to have each award separately ticketed to facilitate the inevitable future changes.
However the disadvantage far outweigh it especially awards rarely booked initially with optimal routing / dates. Airlines also would change schedules / cancel flights. Over the course from initial booking to finally starting the trip - I would venture to say an award often goes thru multiple voluntary / involuntary changes. Much easier to have each award separately ticketed to facilitate the inevitable future changes.
Last edited by anabolism; Jan 26, 2017 at 7:05 pm
Feb 6, 2017, 1:24 pm
#1324
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,287
Hi,
I believe that I know the answer, but just want to confirm. Currently I hold the following award ticket under the same PNR and one ticket (yes, I did not realize the disadvantage of doing this).
EU-Asia1 (stop 3 days)-SouthPacific oneway. I want to drop the Asia1-SouthPacific route.
The same for the return, SouthPacific-Asia1 (stop 3 days)-EU. Same thing, I would like to drop the SouthPacific-Asia1.
I guess in both cases I will not be able to keep the old mileage chart pricing for what I want to do since a re-issue will be triggered meaning new tickets reissued under the new chart?
What happens if I take the EU-Asia1 route and call to cancel the Asia1-SouthPacific route? Do I get that portion refunded?
Cheers!
I believe that I know the answer, but just want to confirm. Currently I hold the following award ticket under the same PNR and one ticket (yes, I did not realize the disadvantage of doing this).
EU-Asia1 (stop 3 days)-SouthPacific oneway. I want to drop the Asia1-SouthPacific route.
The same for the return, SouthPacific-Asia1 (stop 3 days)-EU. Same thing, I would like to drop the SouthPacific-Asia1.
I guess in both cases I will not be able to keep the old mileage chart pricing for what I want to do since a re-issue will be triggered meaning new tickets reissued under the new chart?
What happens if I take the EU-Asia1 route and call to cancel the Asia1-SouthPacific route? Do I get that portion refunded?
Cheers!
Feb 6, 2017, 5:41 pm
#1325
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,129
I have an HKG-NRT-LAX on CX-AA, I want to skip NRT and do direct HKG-LAX on CX. I've already changed the date once from Feb to March, now I want to change the routing and the AAgent won't let me. I've HUCA a few times already and they kept saying routing cannot be changed. I thought I could change the routing as long as it stays as a partner award? What gives?
Many/most of the agents and ticketing folks will no longer let you change the overwater carrier without a redeposit and new award. Since your overwater carrier is AAscarcity, your chances of getting HKG-LAX nonstop is pretty low until just before the flight. It's not like CX where space will appear a few weeks before the flight. Or you can pay the redeposit and the additional miles (if old award). If it were me, I'd plan to fly what you have already and keep trying to change to AA HKG-LAX.
Feb 9, 2017, 10:14 am
#1326
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
I've had to cancel and redeposit the miles back to my account after cancelling two awards.
Does anyone know how long before the taxes get credited to my card? The miles are back into my account instantly.
Does anyone know how long before the taxes get credited to my card? The miles are back into my account instantly.
Feb 12, 2017, 11:00 am
#1328
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
Ok.. it has been a week now.. so I guess I better check with AAdvantage.
Feb 12, 2017, 12:45 pm
#1329
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
Feb 13, 2017, 10:09 pm
#1330
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
Feb 20, 2017, 2:49 am
#1331
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: JAL Global Club; Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Platinum Elite; World of Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 45
On 3/21/16, issued a one-way AA Award ticket PVG-DFW-JFK under old chart in F, travel date is late Dec. 2016
In Oct. 2016, received a voice mail from AA saying due to aircraft change, F is not available and needs me to call to discuss alternatives;
In late Dec. 2016, 1 day prior to the scheduled travel date, I called AA, brought up the voice mail thing and request to make a change. The agent was gonna charge me per the new award chart but I insist it's not my problem and require the change to make a change of routing and date, with the same O and D. After the 20 mins call, with nothing to cost, the following ticket is issued: PVG-NRT-ORD-JFK, travel date: 3/19/17. On my AA accounts, it says "Ticketed 12/29/2016"
My question: Since the ticketed date is "12/29/2016", which is not 3/21/2016 anymore, if I keep the exact routing and class, is it possible that I change the flight to a later date beyond 3/21/2017 without any other surcharges in miles?
In Oct. 2016, received a voice mail from AA saying due to aircraft change, F is not available and needs me to call to discuss alternatives;
In late Dec. 2016, 1 day prior to the scheduled travel date, I called AA, brought up the voice mail thing and request to make a change. The agent was gonna charge me per the new award chart but I insist it's not my problem and require the change to make a change of routing and date, with the same O and D. After the 20 mins call, with nothing to cost, the following ticket is issued: PVG-NRT-ORD-JFK, travel date: 3/19/17. On my AA accounts, it says "Ticketed 12/29/2016"
My question: Since the ticketed date is "12/29/2016", which is not 3/21/2016 anymore, if I keep the exact routing and class, is it possible that I change the flight to a later date beyond 3/21/2017 without any other surcharges in miles?
Last edited by rigel; Feb 20, 2017 at 3:22 am
Feb 20, 2017, 5:06 am
#1332
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
No.
On 3/21/16, issued a one-way AA Award ticket PVG-DFW-JFK under old chart in F, travel date is late Dec. 2016
In Oct. 2016, received a voice mail from AA saying due to aircraft change, F is not available and needs me to call to discuss alternatives;
In late Dec. 2016, 1 day prior to the scheduled travel date, I called AA, brought up the voice mail thing and request to make a change. The agent was gonna charge me per the new award chart but I insist it's not my problem and require the change to make a change of routing and date, with the same O and D. After the 20 mins call, with nothing to cost, the following ticket is issued: PVG-NRT-ORD-JFK, travel date: 3/19/17. On my AA accounts, it says "Ticketed 12/29/2016"
My question: Since the ticketed date is "12/29/2016", which is not 3/21/2016 anymore, if I keep the exact routing and class, is it possible that I change the flight to a later date beyond 3/21/2017 without any other surcharges in miles?
In Oct. 2016, received a voice mail from AA saying due to aircraft change, F is not available and needs me to call to discuss alternatives;
In late Dec. 2016, 1 day prior to the scheduled travel date, I called AA, brought up the voice mail thing and request to make a change. The agent was gonna charge me per the new award chart but I insist it's not my problem and require the change to make a change of routing and date, with the same O and D. After the 20 mins call, with nothing to cost, the following ticket is issued: PVG-NRT-ORD-JFK, travel date: 3/19/17. On my AA accounts, it says "Ticketed 12/29/2016"
My question: Since the ticketed date is "12/29/2016", which is not 3/21/2016 anymore, if I keep the exact routing and class, is it possible that I change the flight to a later date beyond 3/21/2017 without any other surcharges in miles?
Feb 20, 2017, 5:40 am
#1333
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
On 3/21/16, issued a one-way AA Award ticket PVG-DFW-JFK under old chart in F, travel date is late Dec. 2016
In Oct. 2016, received a voice mail from AA saying due to aircraft change, F is not available and needs me to call to discuss alternatives;
In late Dec. 2016, 1 day prior to the scheduled travel date, I called AA, brought up the voice mail thing and request to make a change. The agent was gonna charge me per the new award chart but I insist it's not my problem and require the change to make a change of routing and date, with the same O and D. After the 20 mins call, with nothing to cost, the following ticket is issued: PVG-NRT-ORD-JFK, travel date: 3/19/17. On my AA accounts, it says "Ticketed 12/29/2016"
My question: Since the ticketed date is "12/29/2016", which is not 3/21/2016 anymore, if I keep the exact routing and class, is it possible that I change the flight to a later date beyond 3/21/2017 without any other surcharges in miles?
In Oct. 2016, received a voice mail from AA saying due to aircraft change, F is not available and needs me to call to discuss alternatives;
In late Dec. 2016, 1 day prior to the scheduled travel date, I called AA, brought up the voice mail thing and request to make a change. The agent was gonna charge me per the new award chart but I insist it's not my problem and require the change to make a change of routing and date, with the same O and D. After the 20 mins call, with nothing to cost, the following ticket is issued: PVG-NRT-ORD-JFK, travel date: 3/19/17. On my AA accounts, it says "Ticketed 12/29/2016"
My question: Since the ticketed date is "12/29/2016", which is not 3/21/2016 anymore, if I keep the exact routing and class, is it possible that I change the flight to a later date beyond 3/21/2017 without any other surcharges in miles?
Mar 9, 2017, 9:14 am
#1334
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
Called in to make date changes to two pre-deval tickets expiring end of next week. Having made multiple changes to 8 other OW tickets in the past, with only some resistance, I'm encountering what seems to be increased resistance/ignorance as we get closer to Mar 22.
First agent insisted no such thing as 55K award and it was never guaranteed to keep that mileage no matter what. HUCA. Second agent was incredulous, but typed a little then checked with the rate desk and it was an even exchange on one of my remaining pre-deval tickets.
Expecting a battle on my second ticket.
UPDATE: Second ticket HUCA got an agent that was great... did it quickly and no muss. Maybe I spoke too soon, but in the past HUCA was often not needed.
First agent insisted no such thing as 55K award and it was never guaranteed to keep that mileage no matter what. HUCA. Second agent was incredulous, but typed a little then checked with the rate desk and it was an even exchange on one of my remaining pre-deval tickets.
Expecting a battle on my second ticket.
UPDATE: Second ticket HUCA got an agent that was great... did it quickly and no muss. Maybe I spoke too soon, but in the past HUCA was often not needed.
Last edited by transparent; Mar 9, 2017 at 9:20 am