Unfortunately it appears that nobody here knows what the current UA criteria is for selecting people to downgrade (if there is one) so we don't know if you were selected correctly or not (I suspect not, a 1K on a H fare, either status or fare should have kept you in C on this flight). If you were subject to an incorrect selection for downgrade I think you would have more chance of compensation above what has been discussed.

OP, have you written in to 1KVoice asking them to address this matter and noting the GG Downgrade comp policy you believe should be applied?

You didn't give them the money specifically to upgrade. Money specifically to upgrade would be a copay, which is refunded when you're downgraded. You chose to buy a fare other than the lowest available, which has a variety of possible differences, including but not limited to change fees, cancellation fees, number of layovers, stopovers permitted and cost, combinability, etc.

You're supposed to get the upgrade instrument back plus the voucher specified in GG OVS DOWNGRADES. You won't get back, and it is unreasonable to demand back, any fare difference for choices you made.

It's not that crazy, especially compared to all the other stuff that ppl try to get compensation for. Definitely worth aksing for the travel credit. I certainly would. Worst they can do is say "no".

I have not emailed 1kvoice. Is that simply [email protected]? or something else?

And today I received an email from the SYD CSR saying "we made a mistake, your amount is $1000 instead of $1500." At which point I nearly threw the phone through the wall, as even the SFO CSR who moved me out of C said very clearly that it was $1500. I told them I wanted the original 1500 plus the fare difference for S->H. I'm in complete agreement that when I initially book a ticket in H rather than S I'm doing so at my own risk. But when they upgrade me, two weeks before the flight, and then very possibly downgrade me based on incorrect priority, and then yank me around (probably more of out cluelessness rather than malice, but I don't much care which) ... I don't think what I'm asking for is unreasonable here.

If the policy is $1500 then that is what you should get and any instrument you used back. I seriously doubt you will get the fare difference S to H. When you buy a higher fare to increase your chances of an upgrade it is still not guaranteed. It is a gamble. A gamble you thought had paid off but in reality you paid for coach and sat in coach. If you want a guarantee of business or first then you must buy a business or first ticket. If they were to refund you the difference it would set a precedence for all those W fares people bought and did not get upgraded on. Not going to happen.

Yep, that's the address. And while I can understand your frustration, if you take a deep breath and think about it, $1500 is pretty significant comp for an upgrade that didn't clear at the time of purchase. And it's more generous than other airlines would offer. If you can get that and the SWU back, I'd say that's pretty substantial -- and that further efforts for the one way S to H difference (which you are unlikely to get) are probably not worth the time or mental energy.

That said, you may want to ask for information on why you were chosen as one of the ones to give up a seat, and see if they give you a straight answer or not....

All due respect but I disagree. When I buy a W fare and it does not clear, I understand the risk/reward equation that I'm participating in. When I want to book a ticket, and I'm told that at the time of booking I can confirm an upgrade with fare class XXX, and then it's given and subsequently taken away, that's when I think there is something that needs to be fixed. If you never clear the upgrade that's fine. But when you clear the upgrade, and then take it away, that's when the compensation needs to appear.

And there was compensation. $1000 (should have been $1500). Which is probably more than the difference in fare.

This is how I view it as well, although it stinks, I dont know if any carrier has the ability to go in and see at the time the passenger purchased their tkt could they have instead purchased a fare that was less money.

Now had no $$$ compensation been given and only the Instrument use dto UP been Refunded I would feel different. But since Compensation of $xxxx is being Given = case closed, but Im sure the OP will peruse a refund in afre difference anyway