We just booked AL international business for next spring.
2 seats HAM-LAX. There are at least 2 seats showing available everyday that week in June. Our final ticketing was 60,000 each and $250 total. Sure beats BA award pricing.
BA award flights for that week show Business /Mixed Cabin also for 60,000 miles. When you click on icon, Hamburg to London is in Business Class- (coach seats with middle left open) London to LAX was coach. Wow, not for those miles and fees!!
Our Routing is HAM/DUB in Y. All inter European flights are all economy. Agent gave us Exit Row seats for no fee. DUB-LAX in J- Was able to snag the 2 "throne" seats in Business Class. Seats 3K and 5K. (A320 metal)
Starting international segment in DUB seems also good because they have international Pre Customs in DUB and we will do it there. When we land at LAX, do not need to go through Customs again.
Keep trying...it is worth finding something that works.
You have to contact them for seat assignments. I did chat online and it worked brilliantly .