aisleorwindow

Isn't the proper procedure for the GA to downgrade the person that was upgraded into the OP's seat?

Often1

No, now that we know that OP's inbound did not even arrive at its gate until T-13 ("arrive" means brakes locked"), it is physically impossible for OP to have been at the departure gate by T-15. Even presuming that it only took OP 5 minutes from the time the brakes locked, the jet bridge was connected, and he deplaned and walked to the next gate, that is still T-8.

The GA quite properly UG'd another pax into the seat for which OP misconnected. And, now that we know that the GA had 7 minutes to do that, it is hardly surprising that this ocurred.

jamespvg

Sigh, I have to agree... earlier statement retracted. (Though I stand by my assertion that domestic premium passenger handling (especially the treatment of -UP fares) is often poor.)

ijgordon

I looked at the fare structure on IND-PSP on ExpertFlyer with parameters that I think correspond to the OP's experience.

It looks pretty clear to me that the buy-up to first class (with the /WAUP designator) is $199 each way. And FWIW, it looks to be the same on just ORD-PSP.

But since OP did fly in FC on IND-ORD, we can pro-rate the buy-up by distance traveled:
IND-ORD 177 miles
ORD-PSP 1652 miles
Total 1829 miles

The longer segment is 90% of the total travel distance. Thus, I think it is reasonable for wallyflyer to demand that AA refund 90% of $199, or $179. To original form of payment.

Madison Guy

I don't think it is reasonable to demand any such thing - assuming you actually desire some form of compensation (and I think it's unlikely to be a refund), but YMMV.

grrizzli

If this is the policy that a first-class passenger is not officially entitled to any compensation if he arrives more than 15 minutes before the departure, then AA should be shamed on this board and sued for fraud. Are you really telling us that AA can send a passenger to Y even if he was at the gate 1 hour before the departure, just because it was an UP fare?

Of course, it has little to do with the OP if he or she arrived to the gate less than 15 min before departure.

MADPhil

From aa.com FAQ:

Q: I purchased an Instant Upgrade ticket and flew in Coach Class. Can I obtain a refund?
A: Instant Upgrade tickets are booked in the Main Cabin. However, Instant upgrade ticketholders who travel in the Main Cabin due to an involuntary seat change, equipment change, routing change, flight cancellation, or missed connection as a result of a late incoming flight may request a travel voucher. The voucher value shall be equal to $0.10 per mile, or $50, whichever is greater, for each flight segment flown in the downgraded cabin. Refunds will be rounded to the nearest whole dollar amount.

Of course they seem to have stopped calling them "Instant Upgrade".

porsche534

I've had GA make me wait until they are ready to close the door before giving me a paid passenger's no-show seat. This makes the most sense to me. Board the plane and hold back the potential upgrade or upgrade that passenger on the plane if a seat is available when the door is about to close.

To claim that my seat is gone if I'm not at the gate 15 minutes ahead of time is a bit absurd. There are many times I have leisurely walked to the gate from the Admirals club with little interest in pre-boarding. Additionally, I've run through airports to make a quick connection. The GA can see both of these scenarios and use some common sense. It's one thing to give away a paid seat if the passenger hasn't checked in, or the incoming flight is delayed an hour past departure. It's another to give away a seat simply b/c a passenger hasn't boarded 15 minutes before departure.

Often1

There is a reason that flights close (I am not speaking about the physical door, but the flight) at T-10. There is paperwork to be done by the GA, confirmed by the FA's, given to the cockpit crew and dispatch, w&b calculated and so on.

If the GA knows that there will be other delays, e.g., ground, ATC and the like, there is no hurry. But, if the flight can actually push on or before schedule, holding seats is bad practice and disadvantages others.

ijgordon

I think it's absolutely reasonable to demand exactly that. I paid $X in addition to the coach fare to fly FC and you made me fly coach. So give me the $X back. What is not reasonable about that?

So per this policy, AA would give a voucher for $165. It would be up to the OP if s/he wanted to expend the effort and potentially have to fight for the $179 in cash I mentioned upthread.

Often1

And OP would presumably lose because the fare rules provide for a refund by voucher based on the $0.10 per mile formula.

sdix

If the OP checked in at origin airport and got both BP's then why didn't he/she just board the 2nd flight? Why talk to a GA unless the door was closed which it wasn't.

I have been on many connections that were tight and never lost my seat.

Seems a little fishy.

skunker

He said his seat was already occupied by the person that was upgraded. So, I assume when he tried to use his BP the machine beeped and the GA gave him a new BP.

zipo

Did you write an email to them? It normally works better then a phone call

satman40

Again I have boarded after 15 and seen other board later, in FC never a problem.

I do not check in, and I would not give up my BP it is a contract, and prof of purchase.

Sorry for your problems, it is the airlines problem they were late.