Originally Posted by
dmodemd
Technically, AS can move any person from any seat they want to, for any reason, regardless of prior warning. Now as to what the customer's impression is going to be is another story. If this affected a downgrade from Premium to Main, then I would suggest seeking compensation.
You are correct on reassignments. The OP said that he chose this particular flight because 6A was available. Intuitively, that would suggest he either paid for the Premium seating, paid for a fare that would have allowed a complimentary immediate upgrade or had sufficient status that the fee was waived at the time of booking. None of those scenarios were disclosed.
If he had indeed paid for the Premium seat and was reaccommodated to a Premium seat then he received what he should have. No compensation required. He may not have liked the middle seat but seat assignments are not guaranteed.
If he had indeed paid for the Premium seat and was
not reaccommodated to a Premium seat then a refund of fees paid to purchase the Premium seat is sufficient to make him whole. No further compensations should be expected.
In the case of a complimentary upgrade or a fee waiver for status there is no fees to be refunded. Since seat assignments are not guaranteed for operational reasons, loss of that seat is not compensatory.
Now having said that, many Elites would agree that an inquisitive letter to AS Customer Care outlining the events as you saw them to ascertain what happened in the particular instance is usually met with an explanation and a voucher. If the "approach" is to be inflamatory and demand compensation, the result is most often commensurate.
I am always a little ired when posters try to garner support while disingenuously not providing all the details. Hence the barrage of questions to this OP.
James