I think it's outrageous and a rort when you get quoted MEL-SYD in J and then SYD-LAX in Y when redeeming a classic award but paying the J award fare for the whole trip!!
Not unless you have the qualifying FF status - the ticket stock would be marked Y or J.If you booked an F ticket and got put in Y or J the whole way, would you at least have access to the F Lounge?
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Unfortunately this practice is widespread in the industry. I agree it is appalling.
Software/search engines are not rocket science. Yes they are complex, but there is no excuse for them not operating essentially flawlessly.
If I do a search for J fares, I would expect a HUGE and CLEAR warning if a fare was going to be displayed that is not J.