I understand from reading various threads on using AA miles for OW arwards, that they key is often booking as early as possible in order to get seats. Does anyone know the rules around refunding the miles if the tickets are not used? I want to try and secure DFW-CNS-CHC-DFW for next summer and would most likely go via CX to HKG and then down to CNS.

First of all, any feedback on best potential routing? The stopover cities are CNS and CHC for sure and possibly SYD. Time frame is open (Summer 2007, end of May, through late July).

Second, if I reserve the award tickets, but for some reason can not go, what happens to used points and any taxes? I didn't see this addressed on the OW web site and wasn't sure if AA rules applied or what rules covered this.

Any input would be appreciated.

AA rules apply if it is an AA issued award. The name of the award, such as Oneworld, is irrelevant -- look at how the Oneworld awards have a different set of rules in each OW FF plan! I haven't refunded an AA award in several years, but I think it was USD 100 fee to restore the miles.

yes, one can redeposit miles for $100 or whatever the fee may be in the future. However, it is for wholly unused tickets. And once you use 1 segment, that's it. No known way to get miles back.

Thanks for the information. Just to close-out this thread - I placed two OW130C awards on hold today and the AA agent confirmed that the fee for re-depositing the miles is $100. Since both award tickets are from my account, the actual fee if I'm not able to use the tickets would be $125 ($100 for the first ticket and $25 for each ticket going back into that account.)

Also, the CSR confirmed what everyone else probably already knew, but the taxes get refunded.