Originally Posted by ylwae
I also think this should be stated--either that, or put a word other than "confirmed" on the itinerary/PNR/wherever this information is kept for segments in I class.
If you're confirmed in Y or J on a paid ticket, and you're denied boarding/downgraded from J, you'll usually be compensated in some way. The word "confirmed" means something in those contexts. If you're "confirmed" in I, there is a chance--however small--that you will not be flying in J, and you may not be compensated if that happens.
Whether AC is being unfair to those few FFs in I who do have to downgrade, particularly after paying for a Y or M fare to get the instant upgrade, is a different question. But if AC makes it clear that upgrading to I class is subject to space availability, and that space availability is not only a function of the literal availability in I (ie, may also be a function of aircraft downgrade, last minute paid J walkons, etc.), then the FFs who lose out won't have much to complain about.
You all seem to forget that by buying an M or Y fare you are able to UG with a SWU cert. in lieu of a SSWU. So there is value there. Getting downgraded is a bummer no doubt but I don't think it happens much in reality. In fact for E's and SE's it's probably statistically close to zero and most likely less than one per cent..