Hoping someone can provide some insight or suggestions on this.

Found a JFK-LIM on google flights for late this summer on LAN and can buy it through AA.com (for whatever reason the price doesnt come through when trying to buy on LAN.com). These J tix are considerably lower than any other flight in this route from both AA or LA.

First, there is no 24 hr hold, but I can pay now and cancel within 24 hours, thats fine, but I would like to verify seats and I dont know if that will be available within the cancellation period. Has anyone bought LAN via aa.com and had it ticketed and seat selection within 24 hours?

Am i better off buying online and calling? Would that allow ticketing and seat selection?

Also, this is an odd flight as it is supposedly marketed and operated by LAN Ecuador (XL) which doesnt have seat maps on seat guru. Based on some research it appears this is a new route starting this summer but its unclear if they will be using LAN 763 with their known intl configuration or a different configuration unknown.

If for whatever reason this flight gets cancelled, am i protected by AA to rebook on J in any other flights on either AA or LA?

Bonus question, has anyone connected in GYE? - I assume I dont have to go through immigration/customs if I am only connecting.