The sudden surge in seat assignments was due to passengers not wanting to pay for assigned seating. If you don't pay for assigned seating, 24 hours before the flight you are allowed to check in and choose a seat free of charge.
FL has always been generous in allowing travelers using A+ vouchers one itinerary change free of charge. Has this changed? Did you try working something out with an A+ CSR?
BTW, there used to be a 10:30 AM flight to SFO. In my experience, the 10:30 flight was more popular than the 9:00 flight due to arriving transfer passengers. On more than one occasion, I have arrived at the departing gate for the early flight and found a gate agent trying to recruit passengers from the later flight to travel earlier.
One day is too short for SF.
Glad you enjoyed the trip.
Last edited by henryf; Oct 27, 2011 at 6:17 pm