$1.5k in AF La Premiere from LAX to LHR return.

Counsel for AF. Did you think this might be an error fare? ….

Very true. Also, taking airlines out of it, it's a massive stretch comparing an inflexible $3k F return fare with a fully flexible $15k ticket, but we are where we are...

AF and DL never contacted me (email or phone), my ticket was cancelled day 1 and charges never posted (although I think they are still pending). theoretically what would happen if I showed up at the airport?

They'd tell you that you have no ticket and send you on your merry way, provided, of course, that you were not interested in paying full-fare F at the counter.

This is true only if departing from the US, and only because DOT rules dictate so. The same logic does not apply with different departure points.

Honestly, if I compare the hard product (i.e the F seat) of an AF 388 and a BA 789, I think that BA wins. But I agree that the transfer experience in CDG will be much more enjoyable than in LHR (should a transfer occurs as LHR is the end destination). The comparison with EK is also not in the favor of AF's case in that particular example.

Based on the prices people pay to travel in First on AF, and therefore the margin that AF makes on those tickets, and also considering the number of tickets issued including a first class segment operated by AF (maybe no more than a couple hundreds a day max), I believe that AF could easy hire someone, possibly in a country where the wages are quite low, to verify manually if every ticket comprising a First class segment would be priced accordingly, and then and only then, the ticket will be issued. A booking reference could be issued at the time of booking but only the ticket will be issued by a human being. If AF wanted to be very careful about revenue mangement and first class exclusiveness, that could have been an option they could have choose. they did not. THEIR systems issued tickets based on valid fare rules. Those bookings were not results of a hack of any sort by someone external to AF/DL. Those bookings were done after someone from AF/DL published a change in the base fare. This was not the fault of the customer. The average customer would not know this (remember : not everyone in the world has a membership on Expert Flyer and is fully aware of the airfare pricing structures and marketing strategies).
Again, AF does not care if you make a mistake or not when you book your ticket and need to modify the dates. They do not care either if you show up at the airport too late or with an excess of luggage. They just charge you according to their rules, which you agreed when you purchased the ticket. A potential mistake was done at their side, too bad for them. Now man'up, "give me break" and take your responsibilities. And learn from your mistakes.
Some think that the situation was handled quite well. I have to say that I do not agree. I got the first email or phone call more than 24 hours after the cancellation of the ticket. I also got yesterday another phone call informing me of the cancellation of the second ticket. One week after booking, this is just unbelievable. While my credit card was swiftly and correctly charged, I still did not receive any refund almost 9 days after booking, and 8 days after cancellation. Is that right ?
If someone would have offered me a seat in J with the same conditions, I think I would have gladly accepted it, and if I would have enjoyed the experience, then I would have maybe changed my preferred carrier for long haul flights to the US to Air France. Just like I did after trying QR on the first time with the Sake fare to Tokyo, and now QR is my first airline of choice when flying to asia or the middle east. Same with BA, which is now my airline of choice for the past 5 years when flying trans-atlantic... And once again, we are not talking about a 20 dollar ticket incorrectly quoted in Danish Krone, but a 1500 $ + ticket - so a rebooking in J would not have killed the yield on a competitive route I guess.
But I am sure that AF will survive without me on board their flights to the west coast...

I booked on an OTA. My flights are showing as fine. Even says "no need to call and confirm" (ha ha). Charges posted to my credit card (not pending anymore). No sign of a refund..... BUT I can no longer see the PNR on Air France. Not anticipating being able to use the tickets, but it's sure interesting to see them just sitting there on the OTA.

...edited to add: I have not been contacted by anyone about a cancellation. Email or otherwise.

I think somehow my ticket somehow fell thru the cancellation cracks and I was able to fly this fare in the 77W outbound (have the A380 on the return). No issues checking in online or dropping off bags at the airport....and none of the agents mentioned the fare I paid, etc. I think I just got lucky...

Good to hear ! For my curiosity, which booking channel did you use ? AF or DL coded flights ?

AF Ticket Number booked via Orbitz

And how was the experience ? Was the cabin full ?

More importantly, when did you fly?

I could see that they didn't get to OTA tickets until a couple days later, so if you flew soon enough...

Still nothing back on my account, More than a week after cancellation where they mentioned loudly that they will refund everything within 48 hours. Called Amex to cancel the transaction, but the agent mentioned to wait a couple more days and provide the emails stating the reservations were cancelled. I guess the BS generic email everyone received, where no details concerning the reservation were mentioned would do the job. Anyway, I hope something will be done before Jan 2nd since this is my Amex statement date.

Great to hear. Another example to not listen to the negative people who say no one will be able to fly this... they will cancel all of them. Sometimes in life you get lucky. Good for you!!!!

Good luck on the return and enjoy the experience!

Preach!!