Originally Posted by jasondub

Resurrecting an old thread to share a recent experience:

My return flight in F (revenue ticket) on Sunday night IAH to LGA was cancelled due to weather in NYC, rebooked myself on the non-stop the following morning. I had to call to make this rebooking as the system automatically rebooked me on first flight out the following day which had a layover in MSP. Agent assured me that I would remain in F, but said my seat would be assigned at the gate, there were plenty still available. I had two bags to check, did so curbside (with F ticket paid no extra fees) and went straight to gate to wait on gate agent. There were two available seats up front as I was waiting for the gate agent to show up but the Delta app would not let me select them. Upon her arrival gate agent immediately made announcement (before acknowledging me) that those waiting for seat assignments to wait, she will call us up, I obliged even though I was standing there for 20 minutes waiting for her so as to ensure my best chance of getting correct seat assignment.

Two elite members were upgraded to the empty seats before I was called up and given a seat in economy plus. By the time I was able to bring this to gate agent's attention, all of first class was already seated. Gate agent was very apologetic and offered to put me on next flight in F. At this point I'm two steps away from jetbridge and was content getting home as fast as possible in whatever seat they had for me. Upon landing I called delta reservations and was provided with a $200 travel voucher. The one way value for the ticket was about $275 and since I still got the perk of two free checked bags I thought that was more than fair.