Not meant to be rude or anything but my reposne to the op-Upgrade:

= So WHAT if you have a J Class ticket.

I always have a J Class ticket and i must say I always appreciate if they do give me an op-upgrade to F. It is a courtesy rather than a requirement. Also since they told you about this in advance and they really have NO obligation for you to make that connection.

I find that CX is pretty good in actually CALLING you instead of giving you the surprise at the airport and put you on AI or some other substandard airline.

If you are travelling in USA, you will not even get any ADVANCE warning, so the airline may just consolidate you to another flight without any compensation. (This is from my bitter expereice with AA)

Also I wouldn't complain when you can spend the 5.5 hours at the J Class lounge in HKG!. I remember on AA I was not allowed in the AC because they will not give access to F Class domestic pax (and back then I was only a silver memeber). Also nothing was available to buy, I was left there to wait in the dirty dept lounge and starve to death for > 6 HOURS!

Have you actually issued the ticket? If not I don't think you can demand anything as technically a Reservation does not mean you have entered into the contract as yet!