Originally Posted by
aviatorzz
That is correct. You don't buy a seat. You buy access to that flight so to speak. People are very possessive about their seat, thinking they are purchasing that particular seat. We would all get along and sing songs while holding hands, if delta would stop changing aircraft and swapping seat assignments and us glaring at the person sitting in "our seat" on our way to our newly assigned seat. Lol we have all done the quick glance at our former seat to see if they belong there.
^ This is correct (though an equipment change doesn't sound like it was an issue here).
If you have a confirmed ticket, you SHOULDN'T need a seat assignment to be guaranteed boarding on the flight. That said, if ALL seats are assigned and no one takes the VDB offer, those without a seat are SOL.
I would definitely buy a preferred seat in this situation if that allowed me to get a seat assignment at online check-in.
Can non-medallions pay to select the bulkhead right at T-24? As a GM, I can select these for no charge if I beat everyone else to them (which I only try to do if I don't have a seat assignment or am in a middle seat or non-exit row). Can a non-medallion compete for these "preferred" seats too at T-24?