Originally Posted by
NoLaGent
Agreed. On UA, it's the following, but I still have no idea if AS has a published policy:
1-1000 miles $200
1001-2000 miles $250
2001-3000 miles $500
3001-4000 miles $750 (was $1000)
4000-5000 miles $1000
5001+ miles $1,500
PLUS a refund of the miles/money/instrument used for upgrading, or if revenue, the fare difference between the fare paid and the lowest published fare available on the date of purchase.
IME, getting downgrade compensation out of AS is like pulling teeth. Certainly it's nothing like UA's downgrade policy. I was downgraded on AS due to an IT mistake several years ago on a transcon (LAX-DCA) and was initially offered 2,000 miles. I pushed back and quoted UA's well-known downgrade policy ($500 on that stage length) and eventually after several back-and-forths was given a $200 voucher with the clear caveat that this was a "one-time exception."
AS is very much uncompetitive in this area. Take this information for what you will, but if a downgrade situation ever comes up, just know that UA will treat you better than AS will.
Originally Posted by
notquiteaff
I agree for paid F tickets. Especially if the fare difference is not calculated with the cheapest available fare at the time of purchase (does anyone do that? Do they even have the data?)
In this case, though, the OP didn't buy F, they bought coach and were upgraded.
Again, of note, one of AS's major competitors
does offer said compensation in the case of a downgrade after a complimentary upgrade. AS is choosing to be uncompetitive in this area and provide a lower level of service. That is their choice, but I believe it should be made known that they are choosing to do that so that people who are booking tickets can take that into consideration when choosing which carrier to purchase a ticket on.