Downgraded from First
TLDR: got booted from first class, boarding group 1 > 32D boarding group 5 an hour before takeoff. Not sure where to go to get a refund/some extra miles.
Basically what the title says. Bought a ticket a few months ago for a roundtrip flight from SFO to SAN. Cost me around $890.
Checked in on time - no issues there. I received an automated call about 4 hours before the flight was due to takeoff informing me that they were switching to a different size plane but didn’t think much of it as there was no action item given. I had downloaded my mobile boarding pass which still showed I was in seat 2F, boarding group 1.
Checked my bags at the airport, printed my boarding pass, and noticed it said ‘see gate agent’. Oh boy! Turns out they booted me from first class (seat 2F) back to 32D. Went from boarding group 1 to group 5. I understand the gate agent couldn’t do much about it and understood my frustration, but didn’t tell me where to go file my grievance to at least recoup some money or receive some points for the inconvenience.
I chatted with a passenger in 32C and they paid $135 for the same flight roundtrip. I’ve been loyal to United for years and I feel like I keep getting burned.