American Changes Same Day Change Algorithm

American appears to have changed the determining factor in being eligible to make a same day day change, for the worse.

For reference, non Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey members can same day change their flight for $75. Executive Platinum and ConciergeKey members can same day change for free.

Previously, “E” class availability was needed to make a same day change. So, if E inventory was on the flight you wanted, and that flight was the same day as your original flight, you could change.

Now, it appears that has changed.

JonNYC reported the below article on FlyerTalk.

I reached out to American’s Twitter Team and received this response:

We’ve made some enhancements and E is no longer the sole determining factor. We’re always happy to to check a flight for you.

I am unsure what the other determine factors are at this stage, however I’ve reached out to American for further comment and elaboration. I sincerely doubt – at this stage – that this means more seats will become available at this point, but I am trying to find out how this impacts things in the big picture.

Stay tuned for more information. I’ll post as I receive it.

Update (June 11, 3:08p ET) from American Airlines:

Overall, we have not changed the policy or criteria regarding same day flight changes.

What we did do was change the way the system used by Reservations checks for availability on same day flight changes. Previously, the system always checked whether E inventory was available. Now it checks the full list of requirements, such as whether the itinerary (with connections) was available, had bags been checked, etc.

The end result may be that some same day flight changes that might have been allowed by reservations previously, are not being allowed. In cases where it may not be available, reservations can offer and complete transactions for same day standby. Previously for same day standby, the customer had to check at the airport for same day standby.

Kiosks and airports already checked availability using the same policies, nothing has changed there.