A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 102,617
No, award and upgrade inventory is right if you want a "free" ticket.
Fare class availability shows how many seats AF is willing to sell in various fare code categories.
If you can find "low" award seats on AF for flights and dates you want, it might be a good idea to grab the space now, before it disappears and you can find nothing. However, unless you're DM or PM with DL, the change/cancel/redeposit fee is $150 per ticket.