>>I really think it's awful that something bought and paid for can be changed at the whim of the airlines.<<

One does not pay for a specific seat . . . unless they pay extra for seat assignments - and the airline could be expected to reimburse that (small) fee. But picking a seat before hand does not and never has guaranteed that specific seat. One pays to get from one point to another (in whichever class) NOT for a certain seat.

>>but I don't think changing seats is covered. If you paid extra for original seat selection there should definitely be some compensation.<<

Well, there ya go - So even in Canada theOP wouldn't be compensated. The only re-payment due would be any fee paid for seat selection, certainly not $800. Myer was pretty darned lucky . . .

There are a lot of awful things in this world but changed airline seats is not one of them. Their seats were not changed on the "whim". The airplane model was changed! I think it's awful that someone doing their job had to be yelled at by the OP.

The OP was very very generously compensated. Very.

Most hotels don't guarantee a specific room. Just the type of room is usually reserved. Restaurants usually don't guarantee a specific table with a reservation. Most say they will try to get you what you request. No guarantee. When you book a flight, you're told the model of plane. Are you due compensation and are you justified in being livid and yelling if the planned plane model is changed? I was once booked on the a380 in the early days of that plane and i was excited to see it. Well they changed the plane to something else at the last minute. Should I start yelling at people?

I take a train to work and half the time I have to stand. That's life. I don't complain. A seat is not guaranteed.

The OP got the type of seat that they paid for. Plus $800 in vouchers.

Myer might be obfuscating the issue on purpose.

Last December, Lufthansa changed their equipment from an Airbus 330-300 to an Airbus 340-600. There was a passenger who had seat 24D on the 330 noticed that 24D on the 340 was a premium seat and tried throwing a tantrum to keep their original seat number.

Fortunately, Lufthansa would have none of that.

It is unfortunate that Delta gave anything, it just encourages greedy behavior by little people.

Will you still get to Frankfurt at the same time or does the re-routing eat into your holiday time? Nothing worse than losing potential down time ... We once missed a flight at our connecting airport due to an overly tight connection and could not get a flight to replace it because it was spring break (we were visiting the US). We were stuck for 2 nights until we could get a late-night flight out of there to our destination. It was an unexpected and unwanted layover, which ate into our holiday! And we got the room paid for by the airline, but our luggage went on the first flight and we had to buy some clothing and a few toiletries to replace what we had. The airline would not pay for that. Fortunately it was all on the same airline or it would have been an even bigger problem.

Lavandula

Nothing really to add, but in the end, I hope you made it to Germany in one piece. Truly, that is all the matters.

Not saying your situation isn't frustrating... it is. But, unless your flight was the difference between life and death... you still (likely) made it to your destination unscathed. I haven't seen viral social media posts of anyone getting dragged off a flight, screaming with blood dripping...so, I suppose in the grand scheme of things you were only inconvenienced with more than usual "compensation" for it, right?

I don't mean to trivialize. I was inconvenienced, too, on a trip a few years ago. But in the end, it is what it is. None of this is a big deal. You planned your trip so much that you planned around opening hours in Germany. Many don't do that... and guess what? This is just a lesson that something somewhere can go wrong. And now you have $800 to spend on your next trip.... oh darn! Congrats! Now, focus on what is directly ahead of you (this trip) and then focus on when you return, which is your next trip!

Bon voyage! Hope you're having fun and are safe!

Good post, Travel Nerd. Even though I love to complain (it's a hobby!), it is important to remember that a good flight is one that takes off and lands safely with all passengers and crew okay.

Last year I got screwed by United on a paid business class ticket. I was able to re-route and it was in the original cabin I had booked, but I didn't arrive until 24 hours later than planned and at a different destination (same country, though). Although I was deeply disappointed because it was only a one-week trip, I didn't yell at anyone. Heck, it's still a vacation!

Enjoy Germany and the Netherlands.

Just FYI Adelaidean
If you get bumped from a codeshare connecting flight that was part of a "one ticket trip" between the EU and Australia, you are also entitled to statuatory cash compensations as laid out in the EU Passenger Rights regulation. This applies to any carrier leaving the EU, or any EU carrier flying to the EU.

BA gave us a cash card as compensation for downgrading us. Said cash card didn't work in the US. I called the number on the back of the card, and after a long wait on the phone, was given a cash deposit. But the time on the phone ate up all the money we were given.

Was the OP's example a downgrade? That is not clear.

As it happens, I checked my upcoming flight and realized I didn't have a seat assigned for one segment. The only one available online was a center seat in Comfort Plus. I didn't want that. I called and was told there was a window seat with extra leg room available in the main cabin. I wanted to switch. She had to transfer my call because I booked using points. THAT agent said the seat was available but not available to assign. If I switched to a main cabin seat I WAS eliglbe for points back but didn't want to trade for "just any seat" in the main cabin. We left things as they were as she suggested that I check back online often as seats become available as people get upgrades and change plans. She did check how points I would need to get an upgrade to business class, but I wasn't willing to spend that many points.

I'm still not clear the OP was describing a downgrade. If so, vouchers are in order. But to switch within the main cabin, it's highly unusual to be offered vouchers. IME anyway.

Starrs you can always ask at the airport as well. Politely of course. A smile helps a lot in my experience.
When we flew back from San Fransisco we treated ourselves to BA's slightly better class of economy (whatever they call it) but when we checked in online there were only two middle seats available, eventhough we checked in as soon as possible. when we checked our bags I said we were disappointed about the seats, having treated ourselves to the upgrade. At boarding I was called over and our seats were changed to an aisle and middle, not perfect but better than two middle, and we had the bulkhead seats so more legroom.

I can't believe people are giving Myer for being livid or yelling on the phone. If they hadn't done that, I don't believe they would have gotten a change or any compensation. Sometimes you gotta push back.

Now I need to go read that Amsterdam thread...

Well if you put it in Machiavellian terms, sometimes business needs to have a backbone too. When an old person gets on the phone and starts to act like a 2 year old, getting 'livid' and 'yelling' (both her words) and having a temper tantrum because seats have changed, then you just very politely and professionally tell them to take it or leave it. Due to poor communication skills, it's not really clear what happened but it sounds like the new seats were in the class they paid for. So no problem. no compensation needed. Sorry ma'am, it's so quaint that you're traveling in your retirement and wanting to pamper yourself but you'll have to sit in a seat with another number and letter on it.

If I'm understanding your position correctly, it's that you're justifying yelling and aggressive behavior because it got the OP compensation in the end. The result justifies the means. Disgusting.

If you paid for economy, then you need to understand that economy is dirt cheap.

So sorry. I had to pay over 600 to get home from Philly this week after a cancelled flight. The Boeing mess is putting a huge strain on airlines and there just aren't enough planes. Now the Dreamliner. Hope Germany is good for you but why didn't get more of a direct flight? I am just hoping to get 400 back for the cancelled flight. The max they give apparently.

Because they said they were "changed" and they were "now" in the Main Cabin, I assumed their booking was 1st Class or Business Class or at least a premiere economy of some sort, not Cattle Class.

If this was a change of seats in Economy to other seats in Economy then I'd agree it was much ado over nothing. But I don't believe that was the case the way I read the OP.

If I'm understanding your position correctly, it's that you're justifying yelling and aggressive behavior because it got the OP compensation in the end.

I didn't say that. At all. And I'm having a hard time picturing this OP as "aggressive".

OK, your position is that 'yelling' at someone in the context of being 'livid' is not aggressive behaviour. Not even going to respond to that as it's a waste of time.

The OP is very unclear about important aspects of this but the post was pretty clear that the new seats were in the class that they paid for so it's not like they paid for first class and then were placed into economy without an immediate offer of compensation. The OP's words:

>>>>Maybe I should be compensated somehow. The clerk said we would only be compensated if our seats were a lower class than what we paid for. What about aggravation, time spent and convenience? Too bad. >>>>>

Clearly they did get compensation in the end and I assume it's because they 'yelled' (based on the OPs post).

Clearly they did get compensation in the end and I assume it's because they 'yelled' (based on the OPs post).

So you do think it was effective?