That is a scam. Write to the DOT and file a claim in court. AA made a material change to your contract without notifying of the significance of the change. It is not enough to point to the website for such a fundamental change. This is unfair terms and conditions and is such a significant change, that AA are legally obligated to point out the change. Write to them one more time, outlining you intend to sue and that you consider AA made a material change to this. Ask in your letter for AA to disclose, as part of your case, how many times they have done this previously and where they have highlighted this practice in their terms and conditions.
The only reason for purchasing a fully refundable ticket is to have this flexibility. For AA to remove that flexibility, during the delivery of the contract, without notification is fraudulent and I can't imagine any court in the land upholding this practice.
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