I have been holding a OneWorld award reservation in J for the past two weeks. When I went to ticket it today, I was told that the GVA-MAD-BCN portion was now just GVA-MAD since IB had cancelled my MAD-BCN segment as the flight was no longer operating. OK, I understand that schedules change, etc. However, what I don't understand is why I was not automaticlly reaccomodated on the next flight. To be a little more specific, I'll be arriving in MAD at 4:50pm, and my original, now cancelled, flight departed at 7:15pm. There is a flight departing at 6:00pm that should work, but I'm told that there's no J award inventory available on it. My question is, why was I not put on that flight, whether award inventory is available or not? IB is the one who cancelled my original reservation, not me! When I asked the AA agent this question, he said that "we(AA) take what IB gives us. We don't have a choice." Is this common practice with all OneWorld carriers in a situation like this? Does that mean that when a flight is cancelled, I'm at the mercy of whatever award inventory might happen to be available at the time?
If so, that sucks! I should add that the agent was able to find a J award seat on a GVA-BCN non-stop, but it leaves GVA earlier than I would like; certainly earlier than my original GVA-MAD-BCN reservation. And I know I can change, w/o penalty, if a later flight becomes available, but that, of course, involves calling many times to see if the availability is there. A bit of a hassle. In that regard, does anyone know if IB tends to release more award seats closer to the departure date? Thanks for any input you may have.

This is one of the risks that you take when you hold a reservation and choose to delay ticketing. Prior to ticketing -- any changes are your problem (and risk). After ticketing, any changes are the airline's problem. If you had already been ticketed, then IB would have reaccomodated you automatically (albeit in the inimitable surly IB style). They aren't obliged to put you on the best possible alternative, but to offer some alternative (which may even be to fly another airline). Next time get the ticket issued and then you will be protected.

Yes, you're absolutely correct number_6. Since posting, I've finally been able to speak to a knowledgeable agent and she echoed pretty much what you've said. Since my reservation was not yet ticketed, IB was under no obligation to protect me on another flight. Funny thing is, however, I tried to ticket this reservation last Friday and AA had some sort of computer glitch that prevented the agent from completing the transaction. I believe the cancelled segment was still showing as operating at that time, and was subsequently cancelled over the weekend. I was travelling and didn't have time to do the ticketing, again, until Monday and then learned of the cancellation. Oh well, c'est la vie. It all worked out OK in the end as I opted to take a voluntary downgrade to Y in order to get a later departure from GVA on a non-stop to BCN. Since it's only an hour and a half "in the back," I think I can handle it. The J available alternative involved a MAD connection and a 12:30am BCN arrival, not a particularly attractive option. Right now, with the Y seat, I get in to BCN at 9:30pm. Much better IMHO.

On those flights, there is no difference, imo, between Y and J anyway except for preferential checkin and a larger baggage allowance. Seats are the same unless you get A or C, and then you get a little more room from those next to you but the seat itself is identical.

Actually, pretty sure that GVA-BCN is operated by Air Nostrum in single-class RJs, so no difference at all apart from lounge access and checkin.

*However*, don't depair, as Air Nostrum offers 'business class for all', and I was pretty pleased with the service and food/drink offerings

Yes, the late departure BCN flight is operated by Air Nostrum in an RJ. And I will still have lounge access anyway based on my PLT status with AA. Since it's listed as a dinner flight, I'll get a chance to see how the food/drink fare fare. "Business class for all" sounds good to me!

Air Nostrum food is quite a bit better than IB J (or BA CE for that matter). Even the seats are better than on the IB mainline planes, so you actually got an upgrade in a sense (an interesting business model, using a low-cost subsidiary and RJs to provide a premium service on low traffic routes). Now if only there were RJs with such nice seats operating in the US.

Fully concur with number_6, Air Nostrum is an excellent OW affiliate for certain routes within Spain/Europe. Even the almendras (almonds) taste better than those served on IB.

In checking fare class availability for my GVA-BCN Air Nostrum flight, I notice that they are selling C, D, and I classes for this flight. I pesume these are business class fares. If the RJ is all coach seating, etc., how do they differentiate on board between Y and J passengers?

They put a headrest cover on the headrest. This makes it easy to convert seats between J/Y. The biggest service difference is J gets newspapers, Y does not (even if they are left over). You also get first choice on the food as it goes by (the meal service is sort of like tapas, they have lots of different little dishes, some quite good). There may also be a change in seat pitch, with the rear seats closer together, but much of Y is exactly the same as J on these planes, all are quite comfortable. I can't over-emphasize how much better it is than IB mainline in Europe.

Thanks number_6. My seat assignment is 3B, so unless J ends at row 1, I'll pretty much have first Y dibs on the Y food selection. The next day I'll be flying BCN-BIO on IB mainline in J so guess I'll be able to compare the two meal services.