Originally Posted by Jakebeth

While I don't expect the OP to get anything out of AA, this to me is the crux of the issue. All of our FT/Caveat Emptor attitude overlooks the fact that getting bad/wrong information from a service provider should be recognized as a more serious issue.

I think the OP has a right to be upset because a decision to purchase and maintain the original ticket was made based on what was apparently wrong information (i.e. that more seats could open up). Now, the fact that getting upgraded to J was still going to be a crapshoot argues that perhaps the OP is not entitled to specific, formulaic compensation. But if I were in AA's position, I would feel a responsibility to try and render a meaningful apology to the pax for a company error. Perhaps a few thousand miles or something.

Granted, one would almost have to assume this problem was triggered as a result of misinformed AA reps. But do we tolerate this kind of thing from other businesses in other industries?