Just curious... if I refuse to accept 17B and just leave the plane, will I consider voluntary or involuntary bump?

In theory, I still have a seat on this flight, but it was not my original seat and the airline in theory only needs to bring me from point A to point B in the cabin class that I have paid them?

Can the agent deny rebooking me without fee? Will I be given accommodation and food voucher if the flight was the last of the day?

What is Delta's protocol in this kind of situation? I care less if it is a FAM or a mistake bumping of F! But this kind of last minute downgrading is embarrassing no matter how you see it? Not to mention the original choice or EC seats are given away!

In the OP case, the agent agent is possibly too lazy to first talk to the person that got bumped up to 4F and then talk to you. S/he just wants to take his or her chance in going directly to you. But fundamentally, does Delta have a protocol on this kind of downgrade? Or does Delta just let the agent agent or red coat do whatever s/he please?

Carfield

If you're talking about getting compensation, neither. Bump compensation only applies for overbooking situations.

By the terms of the contract of carriage, that is all you have paid for. Seats are not guaranteed. Plenty of people here feel that it is an almost obligatory service gesture to put you back in your original seat, but this is not required.

They probably could, as if they offered you a seat and you refused to take it, that would be your own choice. As a courtesy, I would think they would be willing to rebook you without a fee, but I doubt you would get accommodation and food vouchers.

I don't board and they delay the flight while they pull the luggage I told them I checked, causing them to take a late which none of the staff want to be responsible for. I say I lost my luggage slip..but it's on the plane..send it to me when you find it..and they realize it is better just to get me the seat I want all around!:D

Ok what's the number. $100 (i.e. 10k skymiles), $200, more/less???. You were wronged, but just keep it in perspective.

What do you realistically need to re-enforce your loyalty to Delta and show you cs cares- then figure what you want and put that in the letter +60% which seems to be the magic # these days. Please let us know what you get as it helps others like me we I get in similar situations.

As stated, it does not fall under the denied boarding rules for either. You made a choice so, not entitled to either. Not liking the seat you were given in the cabin and fare class you actually booked does not qualify as a denied boarding. If you get a seat that obligation goes out the window.

You just take the risk that either they can rebook you on something else or go stand by in the case they cant confirm you. And no, you're not entitled to food vouches or accommodation if the rules are followed.

Agreed that the handling of it was pretty bad, and complaint in order but beyond that you just have to chalk it up to things happen. It was an unpaid upgrade and the OP didn't actually pay extra for the E+ either.

I would also say it's more then likely it was a FAM and those they cannot deny boarding too.

As a point of reference I got 15k Skymiles for when I had been upgraded the day before my flight but arrived at my gate to find I had lost the upgrade, my original EC seat and they wanted to put me in a middle seat. Flight was ATL-ONT and I am only a PM.

You obviously didn't read the post. He was already boarded into F and had to move. And seat's dont have OWNERS.

The 15K award came after the segment and not at the gate?

I think the OP's GA just ad-libbed a very bad fix. They're under pressure to dispatch on time or at least not be held responsible for a delay. Re-seating the bulkhead pax might have led the GA to fear being written up. The simplest way to get the door closed was to order the OP into the middle seat. I doubt the agent will ever hear about any of this.

It depends on the individual. I don't fly in middle seats. If there is only a middle seat I don't book that flight. I have flown more than most of you (about 3,000 flights) and I can't remember one in a middle seat.

Summary: Delta GA and/or computer system screwed up which resulted in:
1. GA issued complimentary upgrade and assigned your previous preferred seat to another PAX.
2. The complimentary upgrade was rescinded before flight, and you were assigned the best available open seat, which was not your previous seat or another of your preference.
3. You had to sit in a middle seat for a 500 mile flight.

I'd just deal with it and move on. As much as you travel, you already know that sometimes stuff happens.

IMHO the righteous indignation captured in the OP appears excessive for the situation. There's certainly reason to be unhappy and to write a well written letter of complaint.

Phrases like "They were okay with embarrassing me in front of the other first class passengers by moving me back..." or "to add insult to injury" etc. convey DYKWIA.

I would like to be your boss and the first time you made a mistake I'd fire you.

I agree that this should be reported, but shut up on the Donald Trump crap.

Thanks - correct on all counts.

+1

The last time this happened to me was WX related and the were at least 6 other people in the back of the plane with status along with me, there was one a-hole that was crossing his arms, pouting, and acting like a 2 year old. In the end they came back and moved him up (probably because there was not adequate adult supervision in the back). The FA was great and gave us all free drinks. I was not scarred by it and did not demand any compensation.

My boss would most definitely fire me if I treated a customer in a disrespectful manner. I am not irreplaceable and neither is anyone else.

By the way, I'm not sure why feel the need to speak that way to me. If you are unable to play nicely with othesr then please move along.