With this new language of "seats will be autoassigned and cannot be changed", Are main basic seats no longer changeable after assignment at T-24 ?

If somebody can check this for us, that will be great, but my speculation is no, unless you plead to the check in agent.

I flew Basic a few days ago as FB sky team elite plus. Was surprised that no option to change seat after check in, even for payment (was allowed to pay for seat assignment prior to check in for USD 34). At check-in sky priority agent would not change seat and told me the gate agent would say the same so did not bother. All other elite plus benefits (free bag, lounge, and priority boarding group 4) provided. Always last in line for upgrades no matter what ticket, so no upgrade option is no big deal. A bit disappointed about seat assignment so may consider this in future when selecting fare.

Which lounge were you accessing? If a SkyClub, that would resolve the ambiguity in the published access rules...

Basic fares aren’t allowed SC access.

I had access to the lounge on a stopover in SEA as flying blue sky team elite plus. No lounge at initial airport (SMF) so I’m not sure how that would clarify any ambiguity.

They do if you are STE+ in a program other than DL's (as long as you are flying Skyteam international excluding the Caribbean). DL tried to enforce that rule on all STE+ members, but later backtracked.

Very quietly, they removed the BE exclusion from the verbiage for non-DL STE+ but kept a general exclusion (I don't specifically recall whether life membership's exemption from BE prohibition is explicitly called out). So I've been curious since then (not that this FB Platinum buys BE to test) which rule holds. It would be good to know if this was a kiosk giving access or if a BP was shown (I'd be more confident in the kiosk being coded with the exception than I'd be in a dragon not just immediately denying based on BE).

I'm pretty sure they have reached an agreement with skyteam that delta will only abuse its own elites and not the skyteam elite plus members from other airlines. in every other case when they've restricted skyteam elite plus benefits they've only applied that restriction to their own program members.

Seems like I made the right decision by paying $44. That being said, I think you just got a lazy agent or an agent who does not want any kind of conflict/service. I booked United's basic economy (but in all honesty, the flight was operated by ANA), and they let me select any seat for free, and when I got auto-assigned due to the flight being full, they let me change my middle seats and upgraded me to a bulkhead row.

Now, back to my story with Delta, I bought my basic ticket before Delta added that verbiage, so I was not sure whether Delta would retroactively apply that rule to my ticket. But once I spotted that rule, I paid for my desired window seat, and I was allowed to change to a similarly-priced seat.

Different alliances and airlines have different rules and it's not due to a "lazy agent". There's no obligation for free seat assignments with DL Basic fares no matter what you status level or with which airline. About the only status benefit you get on DL Basic fares is the checked luggage benefit. For non-DL STE+ elites, you also still get Sky Club access on international itins (excepting the Caribbean).

Valid, and yes, I do understand the basic economy rules. I said so because maybe...you can try your luck and ask for a specific seat? Idk though - my flight was before Delta added the "can't be changed" clause to Main Basic.

Thanks for the DP.

Delta Main Basic (basic economy) is killing any loyalty. Many will not pay $45 for Skypesos, a little earlier boarding, and no seat choice. It will be simply fare and schedule. If they gave a few Skypesos, that could generate loyalty. There are some people who travel several times a year and are willing to have loyalty.

For me, I am trying very hard to burn miles in all the major airlines, 2 burned up, 2 left, and Delta, which I cannot seem to burn off completely due to adding some earnings. After I get finished, which might not be until 2028, I have to decide if I am to have loyalty.

I suppose that I should not post and give the airlines ways to make it worthwhile not to buy basic economy..... Lavatory use banned unless $10 fee paid to go once, $20 deplaning fee (must deplane last), $50 late check in fee if don't check in 5 hours before flight, etc.

Simultaneously griping about basic not earning miles and that continuing to earn drips and drabs of miles is keeping one from burning down the SkyMiles balance is not something I had on my bingo card for today.