Downgauge reseating algorithm
 

I am scheduled to fly to FRA on 944, which has been downgauged from a 747 to a 767 (!). I ended up in Economy Minus, which I found surprising, especially because there are E+ seats still open. (The seat map is visible from the bookings page, but not from the seat selection page - airport control).

Anyone understand who gets which seats when this happens?

Wow. Call the 1K line and see if you can get a seat re-assignment. I would not assume that you will be assigned E+ due to your status especially since it didn't happen already. Otherwise, get there early, try to get it fixed at check in, and then at the RCC.

Also, the middle aisle C seats on the 767 are the best in the fleet. Worth upgrading.

You may have luck using OLCI to change your seat.. give that a try.

OLCI isn't working, and yes, I am planing to get there early and work the problem.

However, I am still curious as to what the algorithm is for reassigning seats when this happens.

When I have had downgauges, I've usually been given a similar seat. When we went from 747>777, I was given an exit row, which I had already been assigned to on the 744.

I was informed by a very helpful UA agent
 

In downgauges, certain seats"disappear" for the few seconds it takes to load the new seating configuration, and in those few seconds, seats can be assigned according to your MP preferences of aisle/window rather than E+ or -.

At the airport I couldn't change seats while checking in, but after I checked in, I could. Go figure. I've snagged an exit row, but we're oversold. I'm looking at options now.

I don't think that was it. I was given an E- aisle (my preference is window) when E+ aisles and middles were available.

I managed to get into 20J on a 767, which is pretty good considering where I started. There were people downgraded from F to C and from C to E-. (!)

Nobody at ORD really understood what the computers do, although the most honest answer from a somewhat harried CSR was probably "The computer fills the seats randomly, and leaves it to us to fix it."