I had booked two GF saver award seats EWR-CDG for December for Mrs. Tarheelnj and myself on one of the few 763's out of EWR. I just did a random check today and saw a notice that the flight number had changed. Recognizing that the new flight number was a sCO flight number, I checked and found that it's now a 752 (the 763's appear gone from this routing). The BF 752 experience is good anyway, but I did want to try GF. I called the 1K line, and the agent first told me there was no refund of the mileage differential, then after a long time (approx. 45 min) on hold and engaging a supervisor, he refunded 17,500 each (difference between old 67,500 mile saver GF award and old 50,000 mile BF award).

I could switch to a connection, but that would add 3-5 hours to the trip plus the connection hassle, and I doubt the 763 GF experience is really that much better to risk a connection. Also, I think the GG OVS DOWNGRADE compensation only applies to day of travel downgrades. Is that correct, and has anyone had any better results from a change like this?

Another reminder to check future reservations regularly. I received no notice at all, and my wife and I had been placed in seats in different rows! At least I was able to move us to 1EF to get the larger footwell. I'm just amazed that it was such a difficult process for them when it must happen regularly.