Does this qualify as a dynamic pricing complaint? I'm booked in Air France business for a late August trip from YOW -> CDG. Excited to have a direct option. In at 3000/pp now after waiting out AF's own dynamic pricing.

Naturally it's better from a loyalty perspective to fly AC if possible, so I'm looking at options.

All Aug 20-27 searches, all flying AC874 18:00 -> 06:50, return on AC871 14:00 -> 13:40

YOW -> YUL -> CDG = $5335 + $5439 per person, both business low
YTZ -> YUL -> CDG = $1451 + $1562 per person, both business low
YUL -> CDG = $5336 + $5439 per person, both business low

Home base is YOW. Can I just book the YTZ origin flight to save 70% on this booking? Do I need to call in to cancel the first leg or can I just show up at YUL for the 2nd segment? I imagine there's a potential headache with baggage here, too.