Just wanted to share this experience as it's happened to me twice in the last 2 years now.

Both times, I booked early for a short flight(SEA/PHX; Sea/LAS), about 6 months or so in advance on cheap first class tickets. AT THE GATE, I was called up last minute and told I'd been bumped back to coach, and we're sorry we didn't see the error sooner. The 2nd time they gave me some business about a plane change, but this was incorrect information, because the plane seating was the same as at booking.

I'm suspicious that Alaska is simply overselling on purpose to someone paying more than me at a later date.


Both times, after haggling and calling, I received a refund for the original price of the first class segment and 3000 bonus miles. If it happens again, I'm going to push a lot harder and consider small claims court. Sitting in coach is no big deal for a short trip and I didn't say much at the time b/c I know it's not something the gate agent did, but it's a lot more the principle of getting what you paid for.

I understand the terms of service protect the airlines quite a bit here, but wondering if anyone else has had this experience?