Very frustrated with AC.

Mrs simd and I (E75 and SE, respectively), booked on paid J ticket (P fare) under one reservation/PNR. Check in for AC 811 Sept 2 (LIS-YYZ), no problem. On the morning of the flight receive an email to say we have been reseated in PY due to operational issues. Arrive at check-in, get advised that the aircraft is now C-GOFV with no Signature Class, and get given boarding passes for 15A/15C. Soon realize that these are actually Economy and not PY, so at the gate go to the agent and request improved seating. Ask for a concierge but there is none. No option for PY, but both reseated in 23H/23K (exit row). Still not happy, but no options readily available at 60 mins preflight. At boarding, scanner reprints boarding passes - I am now in PY but Mrs simd has been reallocated 10F - economy class in the middle of a block, no aisle access or even a window! She requests PY, no go. Request old exit row seat back, no go. We both are very unhappy at being split up, despite being on the same reservation, as well as the double downgrade for my wife.

I was even more frustrated to see (1) people with E50 tags on their carry-on in PY, and (2) numerous teenagers sitting in the PY cabin. While I realize that I don't know all their facts, I doubt that they are all E75 or higher, even if traveling with other SEs (as was my wife). I cannot think that everyone else in PY had higher status and were on a paid ticket and were on a reservation with an SE - all of which should have put her in that cabin with me - not to mention getting what would arguably be one of the least desirable seats on a longhaul aircraft. I didn't think that they would split a reservation like this, but evidently it does happen.

I know this is a rant, and that we will get some refund to compensate for the change in class (thanks), as well as probably a discount coupon in response to my message to customer relations, but this just seemed to be particularly bad service, and far below what I think they should be providing to loyal customers.