Data point for changes to USDM bookings;
After some extremely bad luck with MrGlider getting a terrible sinus infection the morning of our PER-HKG-LAX CX J USDM redemption departure date, we had incredible good luck today. I rang to cancel our redemption since we couldn't afford to pay the extra to change the date and buy more points if we had to re-book under the new AA routing rules as two awards. When I got through to the USDM agent I gave it a hail mary and asked if we could change the departure date from Monday to Friday and how much it would cost. He went through his script about if the routing didn't change and the points required are the same, there would be no charge, but if it did we would have to cancel and start from scratch with the new AA rules.
Here's where it gets good. He searched for Friday flights, and found seats on the same CX route available. Technically under the AA rules Aus to USA via Asia should be two awards but he said since the routing didn't change it was simply a like-for-like date swap and there was no charge.
So I was able to get my departure date changed for a USDM ticket that doesn't fit the new AA routing rules between Aus-USA, and without the USDM change fee. Best of both worlds! Same carrier and route on new itinerary.
I think I must have cashed in some karma credits today, and I count myself very lucky.