Originally Posted by
pinniped
Most of the rest of the world would hear the downgrade story and think "Isn't that what the NBA referees got in trouble for?" They'd say if you bought J, flew Y, and took cash from the airline for the difference, you have to give it back. (The difference there is that they planned it and several of them did it a LOT.)
Most of the world flies Y and would never never never spend money on a J seat, let alone an F seat. So I'm sure they have no sympathy.
My point of contention is that if you're flying J or F, and are involuntarily downgraded to Y, you are actually losing something. You now have to travel in discomfort and pain. If you normally fly Y that is one thing. If you normally or ALWAYS fly J, you deserve to be compensated.