Major changes are now free of charge outside 60 days - e.g. switch from QR from AMS-SYD to EY from AMS-SYD will not longer incur a $150 fee at 2+ months - making minor changes goes from free to costing a fee depending on status within 60 days

I don't see any reason why speculative bookings would increase - within 60 days there would be a fee to redeposit miles on unwanted awards - outside 60 days, changes are free , so why speculate?

The < 60 days now incurring a fee for changes is a huge detractor for me. 100% of all changes I've ever made have been within 60 days. With the current uncertainties of quarantine and borders closing, the timing of this change is particularly egregious. This a huge devaluation for me and the way I travel. I'll be much less likely to pursue additional miles or status after my current stash is gone.

There will definitely be less inventory available at >60 days if people can redeposit at will until that point. That doesn't bother me anywhere near the fees for changes to dates or itineraries < 60 days however.

Was it really necessary for AA to apply this only for awards booked after June 1? I have an award booked in Dec that is for a flight in Oct and at this point I'd like to just cancel it but it's outside the waiver so it'd be $150 to redeposit.

I wonder if a rep would waive the redeposit fee in light of the new policy if I called and asked for an exception? Don't want to hold up the phone lines for such a distant flight though.

Heres what I’d do: With all the flight changes etc. going on, wait for a flight to change by 241 or more minutes or in another major way and cancel free due to involuntary changes. In the interim, I’d call after June 1 so TAs are trained on the new policy, and see if careful wording will have someone cancel the award and Redeposit your miles because it’s more than 60 days out. Technically, the latter isn’t part of the new policy, but you might slip between the cracks. Finally, other things could happen where you might be covered by new travel alerts.

Yeah that's the plan. If the waiver gets pushed any further then I'm set.

If a Platinum Or for that matter any member books a Milesaver flight and wants to make a change <60 days out and saver availability still exists for the same city pairs, does the no change fee benefit still exist?

For non-EXPs, does this affect Web Specials? Or are those still untouchable without schedule change?

My understanding is that the fee as listed in the table applies for all changes - if that is the case, then the listed fee will apply

If that is the case, OP javabytes is correct, a really “nasty Easter egg” buried in the changes AA tries to put a positive spin on :-(

Considering close in fees were eliminated, keeping total score for the year, net devaluation to PLT and GLD, and I’d say even for non elite.

Doesn’t this align closer to United’s structure, except United still charges for changes >60 days, albeit at a lower rate?

Still slimy to slide it into this announcement. They probably intended to make it May 31 but decided it would get less publicity if it was buried here lol.

I'm glad I've patiently waited to cancel flights until the policy changes gave me what I wanted. :)

The policy changes go into effect for bookings ticketed on or after June 1 - any bookings prior to that date have the existing rules

Is it just me or does this look oddly like Alaska's old award policy?

If that will technically be honored, I'll probably book any Awards for the next year prior June 1. That way when inevitably when the dates change, or if I need to make a proactive change for another reason, they'll still be covered under them.

of course I am. The title if the post should be more accurate then.

“new award changes and mileage redeposit fees (except EXP)” would be more accurate.