Sorry, I couldn't find a thread this seemed to belong in. Feel free to move it, and I did search, so please forgive me if this is already answered elsewhere.

I had a JFK-FLL evening flight that was potentially going to be delayed according to EXP desk, so they suggested I switch to the morning flight. Said they couldn't protect me, it would have to be a change (no charge). This phone call took place the night before, so I presume the automated thing that looks for duplicate reservations would have killed it anyway. This was a discount coach ticket btw.

As luck has it, around 4 am I get the txt message that the morning flight that I'm now confirmed on is cancelled and "unable to rebook". I call around 8 am and the evening flight that I was originally confirmed on is now zeroed out so I can't get back on it. They offer me an ERJ on JetBlue instead. I wasn't particularly thrilled about this for a variety reasons, (losing the upgrade and having no idea what seat I would get stuck with on an ERJ on an airline with no status).

I asked to be put on MIA-JFK instead. The EXP agent told me that Y was sold out, but there was F availability (F2A1 according to EF). However, she would not put me on this flight and said my only option was to refund my original ticket and buy a new paid discount F (A fare) ticket that was available, which was naturally quite pricy. I ended up doing a full F award since I didn't really want to pay the $880 or whatever it was for the one way. I was pretty unhappy about have to due to this, esp. given that it was mechanical.

Anyway, should I have been accommodated in F since there were still available seats, or at least overbooked into Y so they could upgrade someone else? Even non-status people get moved up to deal with irrops/oversale situations, so it seems I should have received this option.

I called customer service to complain for the first as an EXP (in my 3rd year now) and received compensation that I felt was fair, but what I don't know is if they were just giving to me because I'm EXP and "the customer is always right" or if they truly agreed that it was handled incorrectly.

Just wondering for future reference how that should have been handled. The hang up and call back scenario is a little harder in these situations where you to accept or reject an option they are giving you on the spot, coupled with not having a lot of time to spare on getting to your flight.