American Airlines' recent system problems yielded an unforeseen benefit: a surge in last-minute award seat availability stemming from missed connections in Dallas. While this disruption initially wreaked havoc on flight schedules, it inadvertently presented AAdvantage members with unexpected redemption opportunities. As operational snags led to significant seat availability fluctuations, savvy travelers might discover options that are usually difficult to secure, especially on highly sought-after routes. Although this scenario underscores how reliant the industry is on complicated systems, it also points to the surprising degree of flexibility that can emerge during periods of large-scale service breakdowns. Passengers now face the complicated task of changing plans and trying to benefit from new openings on other routes or carriers.