I sent the following note to Delta after finding out from my parents that they were bumped from first on one segment of their LGA to Vancouver flight. They are older, and I feel that just offering them a $200 flight voucher each was taking advantage of them. I wouldn't have settled for that- what would you ask for? Here's the note:

"I just caught up with my parents about the surprise cruise to Alaska I sent them on as a Christmas gift. As part of this surprise, I included first class tickets, which cost me a total of 180,000 skymiles. Much to my surprise as Delta never told me this, hey were bumped out of first class on the way there and I didn't get what I paid for.

You changed the plane to a smaller one several weeks before the trip and therefore knew there wouldn't be enough first class seats, but as of online check in, it still reflected they would be in the proper section. If you knew it was a smaller plane, why didn't you say anything? You offered them $200 each in flight vouchers. We all know how many restrictions are on these to begin with. My parents are old, they rarely travel, and these are probably worthless to them. Not to mention my dad has severe back problems and half the reason I chose to upgrade them was so he wouldn't be in pain.

I have been flying Delta for years, and lately your service has been awful. I've been significantly delayed very often, and twice in the last month my flights have been cancelled. I have never complained about these things for myself, but to do this to my parents is completely unacceptable (plus I find it questionable that I wasn't notified.) A $200 flight voucher is not adequate payment for this, and I would like that portion of the flight's miles credited back to me. Thank you