Gate agent confiscated my Biz class BP at MSP
Sep 21, 2010, 10:00 am
#91
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Recall that the guidance given to the OP was to serripticiously photograph both Delta employees AND the pax "sitting in his seat" with the intent of somehow documenting alleged malfeasance on the part of the various parties. I'm not sure why you'd want to get a third party (me, for example) involved in a dispute you have with Delta.
As for accusing you of anything, I'd post only facts: That I had a boarding pass with a seat assignment in Business, it was taken from me by the GA, and you were sitting in the seat that had been assigned to me.
If you prefer to choose not to have anything to do with me, well, sitting in the seat that was taken from me is something to do with me, so you wouldn't be doing it, and the whole issue wouldn't arise.
Sep 21, 2010, 10:02 am
#92
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I really would like to know just why this happened (and why DL is so stingy with their compensation). But I am hesitant to give a DL lurker my info (via PM) lest retribution run wild. I will consider this only if: 1) FTers think it is a good idea, and 2) the DL employee promises that it will remain in strict confidence.
2) I think you can take the FT contributors' word that this will remain confidential.
Sep 21, 2010, 10:08 am
#93
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In this case, there's really been no crime. At the end of the day, we're talking about a complimentary upgrade benefit that the airline extends to it's frequent flyers.
As I said, If I'm siting in a seat and someone else believes it's their seat, there's no reason to skulk around sneaking pictures of me.
Sep 21, 2010, 10:35 am
#95
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Sounds like DL is just giving the OP the middle finger - I suggest he give it right back.
Dispute the charge for the flight with the credit card company - you did not receive the product that you paid for (even if part of the payment came from miles).
Another option is to sue Delta in small claims court - whether you win or lose, the cost to Delta to defend the suit would far outweigh the compensation they should have offered in the first place. The cost to file a small claims suit in most jurisdictions is under $100.
At the very least, that should get their attention and either lead to more appropriate settlement, or end up going to trial where you may prevail.
Refunding 1/2 of the miles is nothing but a big fat middle finger.
One point of order - I don't understand why people wait until boarding is wrapping up before getting on the plane. Unless I have a tight connection due to a delay (I never book connections of less than 1hr), I am among the first to board, never book an aisle seat (eliminates the FAM problem), and am comfortably seated and in MY seat in case someone else comes along with a seat dupe or other issue. The passenger in possession of the seat has the upper hand.
Dispute the charge for the flight with the credit card company - you did not receive the product that you paid for (even if part of the payment came from miles).
Another option is to sue Delta in small claims court - whether you win or lose, the cost to Delta to defend the suit would far outweigh the compensation they should have offered in the first place. The cost to file a small claims suit in most jurisdictions is under $100.
At the very least, that should get their attention and either lead to more appropriate settlement, or end up going to trial where you may prevail.
Refunding 1/2 of the miles is nothing but a big fat middle finger.
One point of order - I don't understand why people wait until boarding is wrapping up before getting on the plane. Unless I have a tight connection due to a delay (I never book connections of less than 1hr), I am among the first to board, never book an aisle seat (eliminates the FAM problem), and am comfortably seated and in MY seat in case someone else comes along with a seat dupe or other issue. The passenger in possession of the seat has the upper hand.
Sep 21, 2010, 10:41 am
#96
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Were you in the gate area when FC boarding was called?
Sep 21, 2010, 10:57 am
#97
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Sep 21, 2010, 10:59 am
#98
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They refunded all the miles for that flight.
The departure area is a lot more comfortable than an airline seat.
One point of order - I don't understand why people wait until boarding is wrapping up before getting on the plane.
Sep 21, 2010, 11:10 am
#100
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Delta offers a way to upgrade a single segment, or am I missing something? Last I saw it was 25k (or whatever price) for a one way upgrade, not per segment pricing. So, unless they plan on giving him the option of a single segment upgrade with the 12.5k miles they refunded, they owe him the other 12.5k.
Sep 21, 2010, 11:17 am
#101
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My butt securely in that F seat, depriving the GA of any easy shots at shenanigans, and with pre-departure drink in hand is a lot more comfortable than a busy airline terminal by any stretch of the imagination.
Why leave something to chance?
Why leave something to chance?
Sep 21, 2010, 11:42 am
#102
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I completely agree with you, but I know people who really don't want to spend any more time than absolutely necessary on an airplane. Don't forget that many foreign carriers board FC and biz last, after the coach passengers are all on board and settled.
Sep 21, 2010, 11:42 am
#103
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In the departure area, I can read without anyone bumping into me or requiring me to move so they can get past me. I can stand and stretch out without hitting anybody. Neither of those is true for a typical domestic F seat.
Sep 21, 2010, 11:49 am
#104
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Back OT:
The OP flew one segment in F and was "downgraded" on the other segment, so I can see why Delta only gave half of the miles back... However, I think DL should just give it all back and be done with it... It is not worth losing a good customer OVER 12.5K SkyPesos...
Sep 21, 2010, 12:01 pm
#105
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 275
Thanks for explaining, but I must be really dense today. I still don't really see the connection between my being seated in a seat I'm issued a boarding pass for by the airline and "stolen goods". In this case, there's really been no crime. At the end of the day, we're talking about a complimentary upgrade benefit that the airline extends to it's frequent flyers. I'm not buying an upgrade from a shady person in a mall parking lot selling them out of the back of their truck 
As I said, If I'm siting in a seat and someone else believes it's their seat, there's no reason to skulk around sneaking pictures of me. Simply come up to me, say "Excuse me, I believe you're in my seat", and I'll check my boarding pass. If my boarding pass says that I'm indeed in the wrong seat, I'll blush, apologize profusely, and move quickly back to 37D
On the other hand, if my boarding pass indicates the seat that I'm sitting in, I'll hit the FA call button and ask Detla staff to sort it out (while remaining seated, of course )
Sadly, the above situation wouldn't have worked for the OP since Delta had issued the OP another boarding pass. At the end of the day, Delta chose, at the last minute, not to extend a complimentary upgrade to the OP (one which they had previously promised the OP). I agree that the Op should be miffed, but Delta refunded him the miles for the upgrade so I'm not sure what else there is to discuss. Delta handled the situation poorly and hopefully, the OP will board early on in the future so that there is ample time to sort out these types of problems should they occur again.
As I said, If I'm siting in a seat and someone else believes it's their seat, there's no reason to skulk around sneaking pictures of me. Simply come up to me, say "Excuse me, I believe you're in my seat", and I'll check my boarding pass. If my boarding pass says that I'm indeed in the wrong seat, I'll blush, apologize profusely, and move quickly back to 37D
On the other hand, if my boarding pass indicates the seat that I'm sitting in, I'll hit the FA call button and ask Detla staff to sort it out (while remaining seated, of course )Sadly, the above situation wouldn't have worked for the OP since Delta had issued the OP another boarding pass. At the end of the day, Delta chose, at the last minute, not to extend a complimentary upgrade to the OP (one which they had previously promised the OP). I agree that the Op should be miffed, but Delta refunded him the miles for the upgrade so I'm not sure what else there is to discuss. Delta handled the situation poorly and hopefully, the OP will board early on in the future so that there is ample time to sort out these types of problems should they occur again.
Calling FA/GA to discuss is not going to help OP. He would just be told to sit in the back or else. So the best approach for him is to keep as much record as possible and dispute/complain later. You sitting in that seat is the record. And if you are really a non-rev, and GA did violate the rule, it would be easier to make a connection with that record.
Sorry I didn't mean you personally, just a hypothetical "you".