I will probably be hung for this, but Air France are not exactly known for flexibility, compasion, customer empathy etc.
As you are finding to your cost with AF a rule is a rule and that is it, common sence or fair-play never come into it.
The American airlines would rectify this as a matter of good faith. The better European airlines would look at how much business you give them and decide if they should make an exception, but if AF are true to form they will get sniffy and tell you their records show x and therefore hard luck!
I hope they surprise us!
Nick