Downgrades are not a big deal, it goes with the territory. I was upgraded to First as the door closed, and as the cabin was prepared, the door opened and the gate agent asked me to get off, as the person who bought the seat just arrived and they had put a standby in my seat. He further said that I had no obligation to get off to accomodate the passenger. I merely asked if she paid for the First Class seat or was it a Platinum that was upgraded. When he said she had paid a First Class fare, I immediately got off. I don't know what I would have done if it were an upgraded Platinum who just arrived late. In the end, it was a good deal for me. They gave me a $250 voucher and and put me at the top of the list for an upgrade- but it checked in full .