Let me start off by saying that I'm a gold member.

Ms. Romeoguy (no status) and I took the JFK-SFO flight on a recent Sunday evening (2/13.) We were waitlisted for an upgrade using eVips donated by an EXP. They did not clear in advance, so we showed up at the airport and asked at check in. We were informed that there were 2 open seats in C. We were #2 and #3 on the wait list. #1 was an EXP. We were asked to check with the GA.

We arrived at the gate about an hour before depature. I told the gate agent that I was checking to see if the eVips had cleared yet. Without saying anything, she punched a few buttons and assigned both of us seats in C. I assumed that the EXP had either already been accomodated or had cancelled his/her flight. I thanked the GA. Ms. Romeoguy and I then headed over to the Admirals Club (skipped buying dinner at the airport because of our confirmed upgrades.)

We returned to the gate 20 minutes before depature. GA scanned our new boarding cards, and off we went into the plane. We were seated in C shortly there after. Not five minutes had gone by since I was seated when the GA came rushing into the plane, looking distraught. "The EXP showed up, you both will have to go back to economy for now." I couldn't believe it. The obvious disappointment did not faze her. She gave us our new economy boarding passes. They had given away our previous economy exit row seats. We were now in regular economy seats. No other explanation. No apology. Just shrugged shoulders.

Just before take off, the GA returned with one C seat assignment, that I promptly gave to Ms. Romeoguy. GA then hurridly left. I spent the 6-hour flight in a non-exit row seat.

Is downgrading after confirming an evip upgrade a common occurance? Is the disappointment, public embarrasment and lack of common courtesy on behalf of the GA any basis for compensation?