I called AA on Saturday to cancel our 11/24 trip. I was told there would be a $200 pp charge on our first class tickets. After pre-emptively apologizing to the nice girl on the phone, I explained...in creative terminology...what has happened to St. Martin and to the condo in Orient Village. I said if this was a waiting game, I will wait for them to cancel so I don't take a $400 hit. She ended up cancelling my trip without my authorization, and accessed the penalty. I noticed this immediately, called back and spoke with a poor guy who ended up giving me a full refund. Moral of the story, keep trying!