Thanks for your help! I changed the flights to IST-MUC-YYZ. I was told that they could open up any AC flight as the problem was due to an AC schedule change-- but they could not force a reward ticket on another airline. There were a few options available but the two most acceptable to me were
1. IST-MUC in Y not J and then MUC-YYZ AC J getting into YYZat 2:55pm on Feb 26 OR
2. IST-FRA-YYZ all in J but not getting into YYZ until 7:40pm on Feb 26 with a 6 hr layover in IST and 3 hr layover in FRA
Other possibilities included going into CDG or IAD but with more connections or getting in later to YYZ. As we have an 1 1/2 hr drive after arriving in YYZ I opted for the IST-MUC in Y and MUC-YYZ J. We have travelled the IST-MUC route before so know that the Y and J seats are the same but the J seat leaves the middle seat empty. We can manage the 2 1/2 hr flight in Y so that we get home sooner.
Should I see about a reduction in fees/charges?? Is there a difference between ZRH-YYZ and MUC-YYZ in this regard??
Thanks for the suggestions!!