Thanks alanw for the good advice. I certainly try to be the sort of person who is extremely polite (although firm where necessary) with anyone with whom I have dealings - irrespective of country or their job. I believe I have been in this case; my original post was a venting of my feelings, rather than a reflection of the way I spoke to the call centre operator.

You are, of course, correct that I have no reason to be concerned about the one hour flight on Vueling. Indeed, I am not - I upgraded the trip to earn BA tier points rather than for the comfort. Koby, however, has hit the nail on the head, aren't Iberia completely in the wrong here by first, not offering me compensation and secondly, claiming that I am not eligible for compensation despite the fact that I will not be flying in the class I booked and paid for?

I do not expect a full refund of the upgrade fee as I am still in J for the LON-MAD legs, but I fail to see how I am not entitled to some sort of refund/compensation for the involuntary downgrade. This is what is making me angry, not the thought of having to sit with the unwashed masses

(to clarify, by 'compensation' what I mean is a partial refund of the upgrade fee to cover the two legs that have not been upgraded - not compensation for any 'discomfort' I may experience!)

One practical question I should have asked earlier: In the 'manage my booking' section of Iberia's website I have to confirm that I accept my new itinerary (with the Vueling flights). I am quite happy to do so but I am worried that this will jeopardise my chances of getting the refund I believe I am due under EU regulations - am I correct to be worried or should I just accept the change and keep pushing IB for the refund?

Thanks again.