FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - MH148 MEL-KUL: Courtesy Upgrade Revoked at Door as Enrich Platinum

Jan 14, 2026 | 7:01 pm

#19

Ninja007

Join Date: Jan 2026

Programs: Malaysian Airlines Platinum

Posts: 11

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargold

I would generally not expect an op-up for a revenue customer to be taken away once given. They should not give the new boarding pass in business to the upgraded passenger if there is a chance it might need to be taken back.

It is pretty inexcusable for a Platinum member to be stuck in the last row of economy through no fault of their own. At the very minimum, the OP should have been given his original seat back, but it was probably too much hassle for the gate staff to deal with moving another person who will also be complaining.

All in all, sounds like a completely avoidable mishandling of one of MH's best customers.

Thanks for the supportive comment — I completely agree with you on all points. You're spot on: once a revenue passenger (especially a top-tier elite) is issued a new boarding pass and allowed to board in Business, revoking it at the last minute should be extremely rare and only for critical operational needs (e.g., safety/weight balance or medical). In this case, the seats ended up empty, so there was clearly no such need — it was purely a discretionary "courtesy" upgrade that got yanked due to poor coordination and a delayed system close-out at MEL.

The last-row assignment was particularly galling for a Platinum member — no priority re-accommodation, no effort to protect or restore my pre-selected extra-legroom seat 11D (which had already been given away by the time I asked for it back), and the whole thing was handled abruptly at the door. As you said, moving another passenger would have been "too much hassle," but that's exactly what good service for loyal elites should prioritize over convenience. It was an avoidable mishandling that eroded trust after years of flying MH (150+ Elite Points earned in 2025 alone). That's why I'm redirecting my future travel (mainly Australia and North America routes) to Singapore Airlines/Star Alliance — they will certainly be better.

Thanks again for validating this — it's reassuring to hear others see it the same way!

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