Downgraded from Paid F after Check-in ?!?
May 23, 2017, 7:52 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
Downgraded from Paid F after Check-in ?!?
A strange thing happened to us recently, and as I'm not a heavy DL flier I was curious as to what happened and whether this is something to expect in the future from DL.
We booked paid F LGA-ORD about 3 months in advance; no status. Selected seats 1CD. All was well up to and including check-in at T-24. At T-4, I double-checked our BPs to find that (a) we had been downgraded to Comfort + and (b) the F Seat map was full. I called to find out what was going on. First they said there was an aircraft change; there wasn't. Then they said there was a schedule change; there wasn't. There were weather delays between LGA and ORD, but my flight was unaffected. After a long call -- we were in the cab on the way to the airport by the time it was done -- they got us in F on an earlier flight that had been delayed.
Anyway, what gives? I've been FAMed before, but not after check-in. Certainly as paid F we shouldn't have been downgraded; looking at the list it seemed clear at least six pax had upgraded. Had I not called, we'd have been SOL. I'm nervous because I've got 3 other itins booked in paid F on RJs for much longer flights. Is this something I can expect in the future with DL? I've had my seat changed but never bumped out of paid F on UA or AA...
We booked paid F LGA-ORD about 3 months in advance; no status. Selected seats 1CD. All was well up to and including check-in at T-24. At T-4, I double-checked our BPs to find that (a) we had been downgraded to Comfort + and (b) the F Seat map was full. I called to find out what was going on. First they said there was an aircraft change; there wasn't. Then they said there was a schedule change; there wasn't. There were weather delays between LGA and ORD, but my flight was unaffected. After a long call -- we were in the cab on the way to the airport by the time it was done -- they got us in F on an earlier flight that had been delayed.
Anyway, what gives? I've been FAMed before, but not after check-in. Certainly as paid F we shouldn't have been downgraded; looking at the list it seemed clear at least six pax had upgraded. Had I not called, we'd have been SOL. I'm nervous because I've got 3 other itins booked in paid F on RJs for much longer flights. Is this something I can expect in the future with DL? I've had my seat changed but never bumped out of paid F on UA or AA...
May 23, 2017, 8:34 am
#3
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
This seems to be happening with an increasing frequency.
You would think that DL would fix an IT issue that has the potential to damage one of its best sources of revenue (assuming it's IT and not something more nefarious).
You would think that DL would fix an IT issue that has the potential to damage one of its best sources of revenue (assuming it's IT and not something more nefarious).
May 23, 2017, 8:45 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
So you think the DG was an IT issue and not something intentional?
May 23, 2017, 8:52 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
No clue why it happened but for future reference you should get a $200 travel voucher and the fare difference for an involuntary downgrade.
I have the two times it has happened to me and think that is the standard compensation from DL.
Something to consider if it happens again.
I have the two times it has happened to me and think that is the standard compensation from DL.
Something to consider if it happens again.
May 23, 2017, 8:58 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD/MDW/MKE
Programs: DL, UA
Posts: 786
Are you sure there wasn't a swap from E75 to E70? Not a major swap, but the result is 3 less F seats. I have seen this happen multiple times and it seems to be happening relatively frequently on LGA-ORD and vice versa.
May 23, 2017, 9:05 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
No clue why it happened but for future reference you should get a $200 travel voucher and the fare difference for an involuntary downgrade.
I have the two times it has happened to me and think that is the standard compensation from DL.
Something to consider if it happens again.
I have the two times it has happened to me and think that is the standard compensation from DL.
Something to consider if it happens again.
Yep. Same plane, same number of F seats, same everything. In any case, let's say they did sub at T-4 hours. What's DL's prioritization? Will they DG full fare/no status before ugprade/status pax?
May 23, 2017, 9:09 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,043
May 23, 2017, 9:10 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,043
Interesting. Well, it turned out all right, though I was super pissed at having to deal with this at the last minute.
Yep. Same plane, same number of F seats, same everything. In any case, let's say they did sub at T-4 hours. What's DL's prioritization? Will they DG full fare/no status before ugprade/status pax?
Yep. Same plane, same number of F seats, same everything. In any case, let's say they did sub at T-4 hours. What's DL's prioritization? Will they DG full fare/no status before ugprade/status pax?
What was your flight number/date?
May 23, 2017, 9:20 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Interesting. Well, it turned out all right, though I was super pissed at having to deal with this at the last minute.
Yep. Same plane, same number of F seats, same everything. In any case, let's say they did sub at T-4 hours. What's DL's prioritization? Will they DG full fare/no status before ugprade/status pax?
Yep. Same plane, same number of F seats, same everything. In any case, let's say they did sub at T-4 hours. What's DL's prioritization? Will they DG full fare/no status before ugprade/status pax?
I would have in your situation.
May 23, 2017, 9:46 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
Had this happen to me. I got the same old BS story that I paid for an economy fare that was instantly upgraded to F and since they needed my F seat I was first to be downgraded. Ridiculous BS if you ask me. When I book on Delta I request the F cabin and F pricing and I choose the fare code under the First Class column. Yet they keep claiming this is an economy fare. How is anybody supposed to know this and how does one buy an actual F fare then?
May 23, 2017, 9:56 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SAN
Programs: UA 1MM/1K, HH Diamond
Posts: 6,832
Had this happen to me. I got the same old BS story that I paid for an economy fare that was instantly upgraded to F and since they needed my F seat I was first to be downgraded. Ridiculous BS if you ask me. When I book on Delta I request the F cabin and F pricing and I choose the fare code under the First Class column. Yet they keep claiming this is an economy fare. How is anybody supposed to know this and how does one buy an actual F fare then?
May 23, 2017, 10:09 am
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Va Ave wants everyone buying FC, but are unwilling to provide a true first class product in return.
FC downgrades (especially paid) should be an extreme rarity, but the experiences posted on FT suggest otherwise.