Originally Posted by RangerNS

I'll take that as "close enough".

OP, if they asked for an upgrade, they may have right off confused the agent and station manager. They may have inadvertently life-hacked their way out of properly being re-cabined if they kept using the "upgrade" word.

Which may or may not change the legal process, but incorrectly using jargon words would easily explain why the agents thought they a) knew what they were talking about and b) were asking for something they were not entitled to... that is asking for free stuff ... and would c) explain a curt and dismissive attitude in response.