So I originally booked a flight from MAD to LAX that leaves July 13th and arrives July 13th, with miles, but my friends and I have decided to meet up in Chicago for a music festival a few days after. So I know AA charges like $250 if you change the destination of the award flight, but I noticed that I could piece together a complicated itinerary that goes from MAD to LAX with the same departure date, but with a stop at ORD along the way. With this itinerary it goes MAD-LHR-ORD (arriving July 14th) and ORD - PHX-LAX (arriving July 15th at midnight). Thus, I could just accidentally miss my ORD to LAX connection, and I think I would avoid the $250 charge. Obviously this is against the ticketing rules, and I don't intend to do this again, but it would save me a lot of time and money. Does AA do anything to penalize if you miss an award flight? Should I even test the award miles gods like this?
Purposefully Missing Connection on AA Award Flight?
- Thread starter Kevin Lu
- Start date
italdesign
Level 2 Member
I believe it's $150 for the change.
I would do as you say in your case. I've never done it, but I would think they wouldn't care as much on an award ticket as if you are saving huge $$ on a revenue ticket.
Given both ORD and PHX are hubs, maybe it'll even be oversold and they'll be glad you didn't show up.
I would do as you say in your case. I've never done it, but I would think they wouldn't care as much on an award ticket as if you are saving huge $$ on a revenue ticket.
Given both ORD and PHX are hubs, maybe it'll even be oversold and they'll be glad you didn't show up.
I don't think there should be a change fee in this situation, since you are just changing routing.
as long as it's a one way you should be okay. if it's a RT, your return will be cancelled.
just keep in mind no checked bags (although I imagine in your scenario you'd have to collect in ORD anyhow)
also in case of IRROPS, they don't need to get you to ORD.
no guarantees, nor have I done this myself, but seems to be viable imo.
as long as it's a one way you should be okay. if it's a RT, your return will be cancelled.
just keep in mind no checked bags (although I imagine in your scenario you'd have to collect in ORD anyhow)
also in case of IRROPS, they don't need to get you to ORD.
no guarantees, nor have I done this myself, but seems to be viable imo.
Mountain Trader
Level 2 Member
AA allows one to drop either the first or last flight on an award itin without penalty. So if you can change to a non-stop ORD-LAX, you could then drop that flight, stay in Chicago amd be street legal.
italdesign
Level 2 Member
I thought only the last segment (not first) could be dropped. Have you experienced or heard otherwise?
Mountain Trader
Level 2 Member
I don't think I have ever dropped a first or last segment, even with the many, many changes I seem to always make.
There is discussion on this is on FT and Reddit, and likely elsewhere. Those discussions include refernece to a Feb 3, 2011 internal AA memo. Part or all of that memo may be what is reproduced here:
Since I haven't done this myself, I can't warrant that it is doable or that there are no complications. In my opinion, it's a pretty good bet.
There is discussion on this is on FT and Reddit, and likely elsewhere. Those discussions include refernece to a Feb 3, 2011 internal AA memo. Part or all of that memo may be what is reproduced here:
Since I haven't done this myself, I can't warrant that it is doable or that there are no complications. In my opinion, it's a pretty good bet.
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