[nathansmith]

It would appear that I was part of the overbooking as my boarding pass said 'seats assigned at the gate'. However, when on their website booking the tickets originally, they asked me what seats I wanted and I selected them.

They told me at the gate I had to pay extra for that features - which begs the question "why give me the option, when it is pointless - it sets the wrong expectation".

If this is common practice - it doesn't make 'customer service' sense. I'm sure it is profitable for the airline - just unfair. Also, if it is common, they should have better 'canned responses' prepared to deal with people when it does happen.

Feels like 'customer service' is gone from the entire industry - except for a few airlines. They now think that everyone is used to overbooking/poor treatment and will put up with it.

I wish there is more you can do.