I have a ton of miles burning a hole in my pocket, and while inventory is available, I am considering purchasing an award ticket in F to go to Europe later this year. Before I do so, I'm hoping to get answers to the following questions:

1. I'm paying $50-some-odd in taxes now when I book the ticket. If I cancel it later, I understand I will be charged a $100 redeposit fee, which is fine, but will I receive a refund of the taxes?

2. On my outbound leg, in order to maximize the value for the miles, I'm flying BOS-ORD-IAD and then on to Europe. Will I be able to use the IFL in ORD, or just the one in IAD?

3. On the return, I'm flying into ORD and then back to BOS. However, all the ORD-BOS flights have no XF inventory, so I will have to book into XY. Will I be put on a waitlist for a possible opening in F? If so, what priority will it be given?

Thanks in advance for your answers!