this is one of my huge problems with the airlines in general. i agree with the OP and i am actually somewhat surprised they did not offer him a comp FC seat for his wife.

why is it that we are completely locked into an a contract, where as the airline can do whatever the F they want while still in the contract and before deptarture. i know if you read the fine print it says so, but who actually says so? the law? i think they just make up sh!t and ride with it.

its almost as if my car lease company sent me a letter saying, your two year lease is now a three year lease and, oh by the way, go F yourself.

if they are going to be super strict on fare and rules, they should have to stick to them as well.

however, you could have easily requested a full refund, which you would have recived.

but again, there is nothing in the "contract" that gives you rights to other flights and fare protection.

my mom once had DL change her FC fll-atl-sfo flight to fll-atl-dfw-slc-sfo (with an RJ involved). she has access to the GDS and knew they did the change months early.

they didnt call her until a week before the flight to inform her. her only option... take it, or take a refund and rebook the fare at 4 times the original because it was less than a week before departure. she got F'd somewhat like you are getting from CO.