In the last two weeks, I've been downgraded twice from my mileage upgrade reward tix, both due to equipment changes and less seats. Funny how you can hold a confirmed reservation and seat with a paid ticket, finally getting to use some miles and then it's taken away from you. First DEN-EWR then LAX-EWR.

I was suprised I got the upgrade rewards in the first place, especially from LAX. Now I just wonder what my loyalty and a whole lotta onepass miles are really good for...

Oh yeah- they gave me a $300 travel voucher in LAX for the inconvenience, but I would have rather sat in a comfy seat in F than a middle seat all the way in the back.

No voucher for the DEN downgrade?????

Same thing happened to Mom from EWR-DEN (she was flying LGW-EWR-DEN) last Friday. Had a confirmed paid (in J/D) FC ticket and was bumped from FC. Granted her plane was late, but she still did make the connection, and I was somewhat surprised they did not downgrade a gate upgrade (I'm assuming there was one as she did have a FC seat assignment when she left London.)

Moral of the story: CO's FC product = good ^ so put more of it on the planes

Downgrades are not a big deal, it goes with the territory. I was upgraded to First as the door closed, and as the cabin was prepared, the door opened and the gate agent asked me to get off, as the person who bought the seat just arrived and they had put a standby in my seat. He further said that I had no obligation to get off to accomodate the passenger. I merely asked if she paid for the First Class seat or was it a Platinum that was upgraded. When he said she had paid a First Class fare, I immediately got off. I don't know what I would have done if it were an upgraded Platinum who just arrived late. In the end, it was a good deal for me. They gave me a $250 voucher and and put me at the top of the list for an upgrade- but it checked in full .

Other moral of the story -- CO probably cares more about its elites than paid premium passengers (presumably an elite took your Mom's seat). I'm not sure if that's a good or a bad thing...

I don't know if thats the moral of the story.. it's hard to tell which way it really goes sometimes...

-Vincent

I think whether you're a "star" has much more to do with it than elite status. I think the whole point of the "star" program is that elite status is not necessarily a very good indicator of profitability.

chasbondy wrote:I don't understand why they wouldn't ask the standby to get off so that you could have your paid seat in coach. Or perhaps they did, and he/she refused.

Could be. The other part of the story which I did not really emphasize was that Mom landed/cleared customs (I can't remember which one) at the departure time for the flight to DEN. So, on that note, I can understand and appreciate CO giving away the seat to the next elite in line. However, the flight was delayed and this delay is what allowed Mom to make her second flight. The plane was full and the GA unseated a coach (I believe a standby pax) to make room for her, but I am a bit unsure as why the GA did not unseat the FC pax who took Mom's F seat (once more I assume there was a Battlefield Upgrade). First thought that comes to mind is they wanted to get the plane out pronto and playing musical chairs at the last minute was not conducive towards that goal. Anyway, CO coughed up a nice voucher and a refund for her but still, if one pays for much $$$ for FC, you'd hope they'd get it.