javabytes

As part of today's announcement on status extension, I noticed what seems like a nasty little Easter egg buried in the announcement:

Previously, fees were only incurred for reinstatement, and changes (i.e. moving dates while keeping the same cities and award type) were permitted without a fee. The way I read this, that's ending... along with the reduced fees if you are changing/cancelling flights for more than one passenger... instead of $25 for each additional passenger, you pay the full fee. However, even reinstatements will be free for everyone as long as you change 60+ days out.

JJeffrey

Man, leave it up to AA to not let a goodwill opportunity slip by without sneaking in a huge devaluation.

Obviously the big question is what constitutes a change? Is that just a major change to the origin or destination, or ANY change whatsoever?

Assuming it's ANY change (don't see any language suggesting otherwise), this is a major blow, especially with how stingy AA is/was with award space. Booking whatever you can then changing to better options as they open up (usually within 60 days) is no longer a viable strategy for anyone not EXP.

cmtlatitudes

I was wondering about this also. When clicking on the "Award Travel" link under the new fee structure chart, and select "changing flights and upgrade awards", the verbiage still seems to imply a date change only would not result in a change fee:

Changes to the origin or destination or airline

• For MileSAAver awards, origin or destination changes to the itinerary will incur a change fee of $150, even when retaining the same award type
• For awards involving travel on other airlines, origin or destination changes or changes to the airline(s) in the itinerary will incur a change fee of $150, even when retaining the same award type
• For AAnytime awards, origin or destination change fees are waived only when retaining the same award type
• You may not make changes to origin, destination or airline for an itinerary that includes a Web Special award. While you can cancel and reinstate your miles, fees may apply
• The change fee will be waived for Executive Platinum members using miles from their account

enviroian

Change fee for EXP's still $0 at any date. What status level were you referring to that has been de-valuated?

fwfdan

I cannot see where it differentiates the redeposit fee on web specials... I assume the same "no changes apply"

javabytes

Everyone else. The table here is probably better formatted, FT is screwing with the post formatting on tablet/mobile : https://www.aa.com/i18n/aadvantage-p...am-updates.jsp

Djokison

You’re unaware of the existence of non-EXPs?

JJeffrey

That's the same verbiage that has always been there, they haven't updated it yet to include the new terms announced today.

rrgg

Wow this is the worst of both worlds. Speculative bookings will consume inventory and then if you get lucky late, there's a fee. Why would changing a flight time be equivalent to reinstatement?

Dave Noble

Being able to make substantive changes and cancel without a fee at >59 days is a positive of this. For me, this benefit is worth more than being able to make changes to date/time close to departue without a fee

I wouldn't say that it is the worst of both worlds - can still make speculative bookings - just need to stop speculating at 59 days

cmtlatitudes

I'm not happy with this new policy, if every date change < 60 days will constitute a change fee. Especially in the current situation. There are many unknowns right now that will likely not become magically known within 60 days of a flight after September 30th. Particularly for international tickets and places like Hawaii that have instituted quarantine restrictions. There is much speculation the virus will surge again in fall/winter. Flights may be operating before quarantine restrictions are lifted and resorts re-opened a particular locale. Many people will choose not to travel if quarantine restrictions are not lifted and that may be not be known at 60 days out. Heck, it might not even be known if certain resorts or hotels will fold now at 60 days out. This unfortunately seems like a guaranteed stream of revenue on Award change/reinstate fees from members who may likely have no practical choice but to continue sliding their Award reservations out.

Plus, a bit swarmy on AA's part to offer the best miles sale in AA's history through midnight yesterday, and then come out with a significant devaluation for all not EXP today. Very happy now I didn't purchase any additional miles. It did cross my mind and I'd be mad as heck with AA right now if I had.

rrgg

How can you say it’s not worse?

AA is encouraging speculative bookings meaning the little inventory there is will dry up. We might have lots of people schedule 7-8 trips expecting to take only 1-2. Even a $10 cancellation fee would discourage this. I’m only PLT but EXPs should be po-ed.

Just to clarify, I’m not talking about 2020 but next year or whenever flying becomes somewhat normal again.

cmtlatitudes

Well, I hadn't been looking at it from that end, but that's a good point. I'd rather have the previous policy of $150 fee with the ability to make to date changes, than the new policy. There will be a lot of dried up inventory with everyone able to cancel until 60 days out. Agree that some non-refundable nominal fee would discourage this. Almost feel like I need to get some flights on hold now while they are still out there. Someone said this was the worst of both ends. Completely get that now.

Dave Noble

Being able to make major changes free of charge and being able to cancel is a benefit to me

I don't see that it will make a lot of difference to speculative bookings - people need to have miles to make bookings and they need to cancel 60+ days in order for it to be a free cancellation

cmtlatitudes

Well, that's true about needing the miles. They will run out at some point for most people. So it's not completely unlimited open season on speculative bookings.

But part of the new change seems to be major changes are no longer free of charge. So a date change now, with no change to origin or destination, would now incur a change fee unless made 60 days out.