I had the exact same experience, JFK-LAX in first, connecting LAX-MEL on Qantas business, ticketed for 62,500, business price, closer to flight I looked up the reservation in sabre (travel agent gds) and noticed they'd put me into business and notated the PNR that I was incorrectly put into first when should have been business, I called a few times and was told the same as you, same b.s. about saving me a hassle at the airport, I then called an offshore AA desk and complained, but after threatening DOT complaint and acknowledging that they're right and telling them I don't care because I have an eticket receipt showing first, they went ahead and put me back in first and reissued the eticket on the spot.