non-refundable does not mean non-changeable...AA actually allows changes on most tickets (all, except Basic Economy) with no fees...you can even make the changes yourself online...but you normally have to pay the difference in fare price, if any...so if at the time of the switch the flights you switched to were selling for more than those on your original itinerary, you really did get good service from AA...and if the new fare is less than you paid, you're eligible for a trip credit