Question on Award
 

My wife, child and booked using CO miles on an AF flight from BOS-JNB in O (Business award) on Sept 2nd . When we booked it, we were not told that two of the legs (both BOS-CDG) were in economy (no O inventory). Anyway, we elected to continue with the tickets. After we checked the e-tickets, I called International reservations, and we were told that we should check back periodically. As yet, no inventory has freed up. I have several questions that I would appreciate help with:

1. How likely is it that O inventory will open up in the next 7 weeks? C is currently ½ full.
2. We have “paid” -using miles- for business class tickets, even though we are seated in economy for 2 of the 4 legs. Is there likely to be a note on the booking record to this effect?
3. Regardless of the answer to 2 above, are we likely to be given some priority if Business class seats are available?

Thanks in advance for your help.

1. With regard to the chances of O inventory opening up, it appears to look good at the moment, the cabin being half empty, but there's no way to know for sure. I'd keep checking back.
2. The airline should be aware that your ticket is non revenue.
3. Since you're flying AF, it's a question you might want to ask on that Forum. CO does have a separate list for those using miles to redeem business travel. I don't know how AF approaches this issue.

Answer to yours
 

Non Rev- yes, they will know that we are non-rev, but will they be aware that we have paid the miles for an O ticket, but are getting an X one?

I believe they should. You should be on a list for an upgrade to the next level of service if it becomes available. I'd suggest asking the question on the AF Forum as each carrier seems to have its own personality when it comes to reward travel.

Continental Fan is correct - be sure to check the AF forum to see what happens if you still have not cleared by the day of departure.

If AF polices prohibit you from standing by for J at the airport you *may* be able to standby for J on CO's EWR-CDG flight...but this may be a stretch...hmmmm...hmmmmmmmmmmmm....let me think about that.

Well the one thing I do know is that if standard J opens up on the CO flight, you should be able to switch over to it and keep your onward CDG connection.

Good luck! :)

Thanks
 

Thanks for the reply; regardless of the fact that initially we weren't told that 2 out of 4 legs were in economy by the Continental booking agent, very quickly it was confirmed that we had no choice but to keep looking on the BOS-CDG legs. It's not so much that either- it's that I feel that we should be first in line should seats in C be available - after invol bumps from paid C of course- since we have in effect paid for them by using Amex miles. In fact, CO was paid by Amex when we transferred the miles to CO, and CO will pay AF- but not for the product we paid them for..

So Far
 

Called CO to enquire about the O inventory.. which was O; engaged in a conversation wihich basically went.. you accepted 2 economy legs for this booking.. tough. Even if there are Business class seats available, it's highly unlikely you'll have any chance of getting them. In any event, they need to be assigned before you arrive at the airport, so if O seats open up after the first leg, you are not able to secure them.
Apart from the fact that we didn't accept economy- it was accepted for us by the agent and appeared on the booking after the fact, it seems ludicrous that if there are empty business class seats we're not entitled to them with some sort of priority.

CO booked you on AF in economy for the two segments in question. Any change will need to be made by CO. If you arrive at the gate and ask AF to upgrade you based on what you paid CO (in miles) you will be denied because of this. If you were flying on CO metal you could waitlist for the business upgrade and then claim the empty seats at the gate (see "Plan B for BusinessFirst in the forum FAQ). In this case you can not do this as you are on an AF flight. I suggest you periodically check with CO for availability.

Well, it won't help the OP, but he has a point that it should matter. CO makes a lot of money (probably as much profit as they make flying) on their FF program, and the OP has a right to be upset.

To the OP, my understanding is that the BOS-CDG flight can be a tough flight on which to find a Biz seat. But, FWIW, NWA is showing availability on the late flight on the 2nd. If this would work, I would try to call CO back and see if they can put you on that flight. You may also want to check into some additional routings - maybe DL to JFK and onto Paris on either AF or DL?

Best of luck.