I purchased on 6/1 from Delta.com a DCA-PHX ticket and a MDW-PHX ticket for a friend using the same credit card for travel today. I printed both confirmations. Delta coded flights using NW metal.

Had initial problems reserving seats; could only book Delta segments at Delta.com and could only reserve seats for the return on NW.com Tried OLCI at the four day window, but could not check-in; called Chisolm Delta-coded flights on NW metal. But this isn't my issue.

Arrived at the airport today and was told at the NW counter that Delta.com had not issued my ticket. I was offered a $1299 walk up fare. I said no, and called Chisolm. Very helpful agent had to ultimately transfer me to Delta. The friendly agent there again offered me the $1299 fare. I asked that they honor the original fare. He checked with someone and said they would honor the fare, but I had to be transferred to a customer service rep for Delta.com who had the software to issue the ticket at the original fare and the rebook me. I said fine. The next agent came on, and even though he was hard to understand, told me that they indeed would honor the fare, but that I would have to go to the Delta Counter at terminal B to affect the change. I said but how will they know what you've told me? He said that he had written notes. No one had any idea as to why one transaction was ticketed but the other was not.

So I trek over to Terminal B and get to a f/c ticket agent who tells me that there are no notes and that I would have to pat $1325 to get to Phoenix.

Rather than ruin my friend's (and mine) vacation I booked the bait and switch fare but said this would not be the end of the matter.

I am upset most about the fact that two Delta agents made promises to honor the original fare even after "consulting" supervisors, but those promises were worthless? Suggestions? I will certainly pursue this, but I fear that ultimately I'll have to file a small claims action to get the extra grand back. I was calm throughout, but this episode is poisonous in terms of my opinion about Delta. I suspect others have had similar episodes - have you learned anything I should know?