Originally Posted by kv99
As much as I think you should be able to do what you want with your assigned seat, I also think the purser did a good thing here. It really does make sense for the person with the highest status (who was potentially denied an upgrade) to get the First Suite (especially if it's a flight like SYD-SFO/LAX). This is espcially true if the plane hasn't left the gate yet, and the purser knows who might still be on the upgrade list. Which then raises the question of whether UA should take an upgrade!h
I disagree, I know the person with status got the upgrade here, but it should have been the couple's decision as to who got their seat as it was "her" seat being given up. They could've handled this with the GA and that would've been fine to have next person on the list upgraded and see what seats could be moved around but they were probably told that the 2 seats together couldn't be guaranteed and to wait until they were on board to switch as an offer of an F seat is much more inviting than just another C seat. The OP got rooked out of an opportunity to experience FC on his international flight (he was cool about it, not sure I would be in this situation)
I don't know if the FA has any involvement or knowledge of the upgrade waitlist, I'd be surprised if they did (unless a passenger was grumbling to them). So saying they knew someone didn't get their upgrade is not clear cut. This is clearly an FA making rules up as they go and getting involved where they were not needed with the potential of creating an issue that wasn't there, as the OP agreed to change to the F seat, not a different C seat that might not have met with approval. Last comment - the FA stopping by later to say she would've moved the OP up would've irked b/c she wasn't moving him anywhere like she was doing a favor, the couple was!!
To the OP:
I was just happy to be in Biz for a change
- how did you get into biz? An upgrade or purchased ticket?