Jan 5, 2019, 6:51 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Voluntary Award Changes Questionsfor carrier, co-terminal, date, destination, add / drop a segment, origin, routing, cancellation
AAnytime <-> MileSAAver and other changes
Link to the current thread.
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:
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.
See TravelingBetter.com here and illustrations here.
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)
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 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.
AAnytime <-> MileSAAver and other changes
Link to the current thread.
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.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 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.
See TravelingBetter.com here and illustrations here.
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)
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 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.
ARCHIVE: 2017 Voluntary Award Change: date, time, routing, airline, co-terminal, cost
Jan 3, 2017, 7:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 193
ARCHIVE: 2017 Voluntary Award Change: date, time, routing, airline, co-terminal, cost
Has anyone tried abandoned the last leg (of 4) of a return award flight. Any then buy a one way ticket for the flight you really want?
it's basically cheaper for me to buy a 1way, than get an Anytime Award travel. But the first 3 legs of my flight are necessary.
Does AA care that i'm won't be on the 4th flight? will it impact the other flight i buy? FWIW flight #4 and the new flight would be on different days. With new flight before flight #4.
it's basically cheaper for me to buy a 1way, than get an Anytime Award travel. But the first 3 legs of my flight are necessary.
Does AA care that i'm won't be on the 4th flight? will it impact the other flight i buy? FWIW flight #4 and the new flight would be on different days. With new flight before flight #4.
Jan 3, 2017, 8:11 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: South Florida
Programs: AA LTG (EXP), Hilton Silver (Dia), Marriott LTP (PP), SPG LTG (P) > MPG LTPP
Posts: 11,329
Has anyone tried abandoned the last leg (of 4) of a return award flight. Any then buy a one way ticket for the flight you really want?
it's basically cheaper for me to buy a 1way, than get an Anytime Award travel. But the first 3 legs of my flight are necessary.
Does AA care that i'm won't be on the 4th flight? will it impact the other flight i buy? FWIW flight #4 and the new flight would be on different days. With new flight before flight #4.
it's basically cheaper for me to buy a 1way, than get an Anytime Award travel. But the first 3 legs of my flight are necessary.
Does AA care that i'm won't be on the 4th flight? will it impact the other flight i buy? FWIW flight #4 and the new flight would be on different days. With new flight before flight #4.
I wouldn't worry about it and make the new arrangements.
Jan 3, 2017, 9:02 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,597
Has anyone tried abandoned the last leg (of 4) of a return award flight. Any then buy a one way ticket for the flight you really want?
it's basically cheaper for me to buy a 1way, than get an Anytime Award travel. But the first 3 legs of my flight are necessary.
Does AA care that i'm won't be on the 4th flight? will it impact the other flight i buy? FWIW flight #4 and the new flight would be on different days. With new flight before flight #4.
it's basically cheaper for me to buy a 1way, than get an Anytime Award travel. But the first 3 legs of my flight are necessary.
Does AA care that i'm won't be on the 4th flight? will it impact the other flight i buy? FWIW flight #4 and the new flight would be on different days. With new flight before flight #4.
AA awards no longer allow stopovers, and all awards are issued as one-ways. One "ticket" can actually be comprised of multiple awards. So is the leg that you wish to fly actually its own one-way award? If so, do you want to pay the mileage reinstatement fee to get the miles back for that award?
Jan 3, 2017, 10:42 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 193
AA awards no longer allow stopovers, and all awards are issued as one-ways. One "ticket" can actually be comprised of multiple awards. So is the leg that you wish to fly actually its own one-way award? If so, do you want to pay the mileage reinstatement fee to get the miles back for that award?
My leg 3 and leg 4 were 23 hours apart. I need legs 1-3, but leg 4 is now at a bad time for me. Nothing available on saver for leg 4, so it seems like a good idea for me to buy another 1 way to replace leg 4.
Never ditched a ticket/leg (paid or miles) before.
Jan 3, 2017, 10:44 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 193
Jan 3, 2017, 11:25 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,597
Correct, one award. DFW-MIA-XXX, and then returning.
My leg 3 and leg 4 were 23 hours apart. I need legs 1-3, but leg 4 is now at a bad time for me. Nothing available on saver for leg 4, so it seems like a good idea for me to buy another 1 way to replace leg 4.
Never ditched a ticket/leg (paid or miles) before.
My leg 3 and leg 4 were 23 hours apart. I need legs 1-3, but leg 4 is now at a bad time for me. Nothing available on saver for leg 4, so it seems like a good idea for me to buy another 1 way to replace leg 4.
Never ditched a ticket/leg (paid or miles) before.
Jan 3, 2017, 12:13 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 193
Won't they charge me a change fee since i'm changing the final routing from XXX-DFW, to XXX-MIA? I'll give it a try and see what happens.
Jan 3, 2017, 12:22 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,597
No. Dropping an award segment in these circumstances is exempt from the change fee. This is discussed in the Thread Wiki, which you should review before calling AA.
Jan 3, 2017, 2:09 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
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Posts: 31,009
Not sure where to put this, but as this thread title includes "all changes"...
If I have an award LIM-MIA-(overnight)-CLT-PIT - overnight stays are all that are available.
There is a MIA-PIT direct, 3+ hours after we arrive - any way to go standby, confirm change, etc., on that same-day flight?
I had a similar situation on SYD-LAX-PIT last summer, but it was a 9 hour layover vs. overnight. They would have put me on, but I had already re-checked my bags.
If I have an award LIM-MIA-(overnight)-CLT-PIT - overnight stays are all that are available.
There is a MIA-PIT direct, 3+ hours after we arrive - any way to go standby, confirm change, etc., on that same-day flight?
I had a similar situation on SYD-LAX-PIT last summer, but it was a 9 hour layover vs. overnight. They would have put me on, but I had already re-checked my bags.
Jan 3, 2017, 5:04 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
Not sure where to put this, but as this thread title includes "all changes"...
If I have an award LIM-MIA-(overnight)-CLT-PIT - overnight stays are all that are available.
There is a MIA-PIT direct, 3+ hours after we arrive - any way to go standby, confirm change, etc., on that same-day flight?
I had a similar situation on SYD-LAX-PIT last summer, but it was a 9 hour layover vs. overnight. They would have put me on, but I had already re-checked my bags.
If I have an award LIM-MIA-(overnight)-CLT-PIT - overnight stays are all that are available.
There is a MIA-PIT direct, 3+ hours after we arrive - any way to go standby, confirm change, etc., on that same-day flight?
I had a similar situation on SYD-LAX-PIT last summer, but it was a 9 hour layover vs. overnight. They would have put me on, but I had already re-checked my bags.
Jan 4, 2017, 7:46 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 193
Jan 4, 2017, 8:43 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
Not sure where to put this, but as this thread title includes "all changes"...
If I have an award LIM-MIA-(overnight)-CLT-PIT - overnight stays are all that are available.
There is a MIA-PIT direct, 3+ hours after we arrive - any way to go standby, confirm change, etc., on that same-day flight?
I had a similar situation on SYD-LAX-PIT last summer, but it was a 9 hour layover vs. overnight. They would have put me on, but I had already re-checked my bags.
If I have an award LIM-MIA-(overnight)-CLT-PIT - overnight stays are all that are available.
There is a MIA-PIT direct, 3+ hours after we arrive - any way to go standby, confirm change, etc., on that same-day flight?
I had a similar situation on SYD-LAX-PIT last summer, but it was a 9 hour layover vs. overnight. They would have put me on, but I had already re-checked my bags.
Jan 14, 2017, 9:27 pm
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,009
EDIT: There actually are 2 MIA-CLT flights, both connecting to a CLT-PIT flight that evening to avoid changing the routing. With that as an option, does that fact that it's a different day (7p Monday night vs. our Tuesday 8:30a flight) still mean I need to hope for a helpful agent, as it doesn't meet the "Is for the same calendar day of departure" requirement?
Last edited by CPRich; Jan 15, 2017 at 1:14 pm
Jan 18, 2017, 7:14 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 91
Hi Everyone,
I've never booked an AA award before, so please excuse if this is a simplistic question. I read the Award Wiki, but I didn't quite see an example pertaining to my situation.
If I book an award with BA and later an AA award opens up, with the origin and destination remaining the same, they will refund the BA fuel surcharge and if I understand it correctly, there should be no change fees correct?
Thanks so much, and again apologies if I missed it on the threads.
Cheers.
I've never booked an AA award before, so please excuse if this is a simplistic question. I read the Award Wiki, but I didn't quite see an example pertaining to my situation.
If I book an award with BA and later an AA award opens up, with the origin and destination remaining the same, they will refund the BA fuel surcharge and if I understand it correctly, there should be no change fees correct?
Thanks so much, and again apologies if I missed it on the threads.
Cheers.
Jan 18, 2017, 8:53 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 2,203
Yes.
Hi Everyone,
I've never booked an AA award before, so please excuse if this is a simplistic question. I read the Award Wiki, but I didn't quite see an example pertaining to my situation.
If I book an award with BA and later an AA award opens up, with the origin and destination remaining the same, they will refund the BA fuel surcharge and if I understand it correctly, there should be no change fees correct?
Thanks so much, and again apologies if I missed it on the threads.
Cheers.
I've never booked an AA award before, so please excuse if this is a simplistic question. I read the Award Wiki, but I didn't quite see an example pertaining to my situation.
If I book an award with BA and later an AA award opens up, with the origin and destination remaining the same, they will refund the BA fuel surcharge and if I understand it correctly, there should be no change fees correct?
Thanks so much, and again apologies if I missed it on the threads.
Cheers.