Downgraded at Gate
Apr 17, 2016, 11:13 pm
#1
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,151
Downgraded at Gate
Has anyone ever had the experience where you get upgraded about 3 hours prior to a flight only to be downgraded at the gate. The seat you were upgraded to is now listed to someone on the standby list.
The only thing I can think of is that someone missed an earlier flight, however this all happened after the flight prior from DEN had departed. It was a window seat, so that rules out a FAM.
The only thing I can think of is that someone missed an earlier flight, however this all happened after the flight prior from DEN had departed. It was a window seat, so that rules out a FAM.
Apr 18, 2016, 1:23 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: Currently: UA 1K | Previously: AS MVPG75K, SPG Gold, Kimpton IC, HH Gold
Posts: 144
I have never gotten downgraded and I have gotten upgraded 90+% of the time. (I mostly fly up and down the west coast on AS.) Are downgrades common?
Apr 18, 2016, 8:58 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: JNU
Programs: HH D, AS MM/MVPG for life/AL, Awesome Wipes VIP Club, NEXUS, Hertz 5-Star Gold
Posts: 2,893
Could also be due to an equipment change, e.g., 737-800 to a 737-400. Have had this happen to me, although looking ahead, this problem will go away as -400's get phased out and -800/-900 F cabins get revised downward to 12 seats.
Apr 18, 2016, 9:04 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,591
Apr 18, 2016, 9:24 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
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Apr 18, 2016, 9:37 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
I was on a plane that got downgauged, and a couple of us lost our upgrades. You can bet that wasn't the happiest of gate areas.
Last edited by BThumme; Apr 18, 2016 at 9:53 am Reason: thought i was on the AA forum
Apr 18, 2016, 9:48 am
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
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Posts: 16,801
Has anyone ever had the experience where you get upgraded about 3 hours prior to a flight only to be downgraded at the gate. The seat you were upgraded to is now listed to someone on the standby list.
The only thing I can think of is that someone missed an earlier flight, however this all happened after the flight prior from DEN had departed. It was a window seat, so that rules out a FAM.
The only thing I can think of is that someone missed an earlier flight, however this all happened after the flight prior from DEN had departed. It was a window seat, so that rules out a FAM.
Apr 18, 2016, 10:45 am
#9
Join Date: May 2006
Location: TUS/PDX
Programs: WN CP/A-List, AS MVPG75K
Posts: 5,798
I was on a flight that had an unplanned a/c swap from a -800 to a -700. Got sent from row 4 to "seat unassigned, see agent," back to row 2 at the airport (which was occupied when I checked in the day before). When I asked what they did, the GA just winked at me. 
Apr 18, 2016, 10:47 pm
#11
Original Member
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,151
Double move could have taken place, they were pretty quiet about what happened at the gate and on social media support.
It was a 700 so not a change in the number of seats available. I've had the 800 to 700 change take place, once the reconfig of the 800's takes place it will be less of an issue. The worse aircraft downgrade though is a 400 to a 400-Combi.
It was a 700 so not a change in the number of seats available. I've had the 800 to 700 change take place, once the reconfig of the 800's takes place it will be less of an issue. The worse aircraft downgrade though is a 400 to a 400-Combi.
