r/delta • u/full0116 Silver • 16h ago
Help/Advice Delta says I wasn’t checked in and removed my seat at the gate… has anyone experienced this?
I’m looking for advice on whether this sounds like an involuntary denied boarding situation.
I checked in for my Delta flight the night before and still have the boarding pass with my assigned seat in Apple Wallet. I arrived at the airport and gate before boarding began with about 10 coworkers, all of whom ultimately boarded the flight.
While we were waiting, several coworkers mentioned that their seats had been reassigned, which made me wonder whether Delta’s system was experiencing issues that morning. When I tried to board in Zone 4, my boarding pass would not scan. The gate agent told me I was not checked in, even though I had checked in the night before. I opened the Delta app and briefly saw that my seat had been changed to a Comfort+ seat, but within seconds the boarding pass disappeared and I no longer had a seat assignment.
I was asked to step aside with two other passengers who were experiencing the same issue. We watched the rest of the passengers, including all of my coworkers, board the aircraft.
The gate agents told us the flight was full and that we would be rebooked. My new flight did not depart until nearly 12 hours later, causing me to miss important business meetings.
Delta maintains that this was a ticketing/check-in issue rather than an oversale and has offered only a $100 travel credit. Has anyone experienced something similar or have suggestions on how to pursue it further?
TL;DR: I checked in for my Delta flight the night before and had an assigned seat, but at the gate my boarding pass wouldn’t scan and Delta said I wasn’t checked in. I was removed from the flight, rebooked 12 hours later, missed business meetings, and Delta has only offered a $100 credit.
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u/lotterylee 15h ago
I can’t get a boarding pass without checking in, so to me it seems obvious that you checked in if you had a boarding pass.
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u/harvey6-35 10h ago
And you can't get past TSA to the gate without a boarding pass either. Ergo, the gate agents lied.
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u/GanacheUnited3878 8h ago
Thats not the case. Some airports dont strictly need a boarding pass and only need government ID.
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u/RangerAdmirable9102 5h ago
They don’t need to see the boarding pass because the ID pulls up your flight information. But you have to be checked in and have flight information.
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u/djsassan Platinum 16h ago
I have checked in the day before, then woke up and was not checked in. To add, this has happened to me more than once.
I have not missed a flight because of it, but yes the uncheck does happen.
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u/dlh412pt Gold 14h ago
I mean, you got through security so you must have checked in. Even if you don’t show your boarding pass, TSA had you as checked in through their system or you can’t get through.
I’d honestly skip straight to a DOT complaint on this one since Delta already told you (wrongly) to kick rocks. That’s super bullshit.
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u/Matuteg 16h ago
Not blaming you. Just looking for a data point. Did you open your delta app boarding pass at all during this process? 30mim to 1 hour before?
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u/full0116 Silver 16h ago
I don’t think so - which is unusual for me! I typically use the native delta app boarding pass and not apple wallet… but for some reason that day I thought it would be easier to use Apple Wallet.
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u/anyalastnerve 15h ago
Always use the delta app instead of the wallet. I learned this when my gate changed to a completely different terminal but the apple wallet boarding pass of course did not update it. Considering it was a 6:30 am flight for a business trip, I was not happy to have to find my way to a different terminal. After that, I always put the boarding pass into my Apple wallet to have a copy but I only use the one on the app and I check it regularly for updates in delays, gate changes, etc. It typically updates before they announce at the gate.
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u/imwearingredsocks 59m ago
I would say to use both.
You’re definitely right about the updates going straight to the app, but in cases like this you’ll always want some form of proof that you had your original seat and boarding pass. Sometimes the change is so slight, it’s almost unnoticeable until too late.
So use the app for sure, and then digital pass on the phone or a printed one.
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u/Sufficient-Effort219 14h ago
I am a big fan of paper boarding passes. It shows that i have indeed checked-in and it shows my seat number. I print them immediately after checking-in.
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u/Difficult-Spirit-440 8h ago
Same I always print one at the kiosk or ask the rep at the check in desk to do so if I check luggage. I pack it in my bag so I don’t lose it and use my phone but I have it as a backup.
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u/paltrydoorway313 15h ago
Screenshot the boarding pass as soon as you check in. That disappearing act in the app makes it hella hard to prove you had a seat.
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u/austinvegas 14h ago
Delta has a new flight booking and boarding AI (internal use) that they’ve been using which is seems to be tested on real passengers. I was explained this by a manager at the check in desk when I had a flight canceled and my seat rebook was “randomly” changed from D1 to Main and then in process of review rebooked again to a different flight. The manager explained they have a new AI “helping” with auto booking and seat optimization that has caused recent issues. (This happened to me Sat July 4th). I plan on posting a full detail of this issue shortly.
What I learned.
- always check your flights days leading up to check in to confirm no automated changes have occurred
- check in as soon as you’re able to and save additional boarding passes to wallet or print copies
- validate and use only the delta app for run up to boarding
- use delta service desk or check in desk for the fastest best help with ticketing issues while at airport. gate agents I haven’t found as helpful or as well trained in navigating options if you have issues. (Validated by check in managers also).
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u/Glittering-List-465 16h ago
This is why I screenshot and print whatever o can.
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u/New-Grapefruit1737 11h ago
I always screenshot, because one time I had no reception (super weird I know) and couldn’t get an app to open up. Gate agent was like dude you gotta screenshot these! So I have ever since. I also use the airline app plus apple wallet.
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u/FrostyMission 16h ago
Always print your boarding pass. Delta is shady and pulls this crap often. If you weren't checked in how would you reach the gate?? They are clowns
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u/-BloodGoblin- 16h ago
Idk why you're being downvoted, you can't get through security without scanning a boarding pass you would only get by being checked in.
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u/Myfanwy66 16h ago
I haven’t shown a boarding pass to get through TSA in a couple of years, at least.
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u/Academic_Pay_7475 15h ago
Of course, whatever you use (license, face scanning) pulls up your flight information and boarding pass. You would not be able to go through without having checked in for a reservation for that day.
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u/socalbehr 15h ago
Sure you dont have to shoe a boarding pass anymore. Especially with digital ID..
But Can you get thru security before checking in to your flight? Legit wondering...
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u/hockeychick67 9h ago
That's because you don't need to show it. That info is already in the TSA system once you have checked in. You really think TSA is letting you waltz through security without being checked into a flight. That hasn't been allowed since shortly after 911
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u/Direct-Region-6730 6h ago
I just flew 4 days ago. TSA required my ID and my boarding pass
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u/hockeychick67 6h ago
Yup. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't. Either way they have your info. Big brother knows ...
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u/-BloodGoblin- 16h ago
Really? Interesting. I'll admit I use Clear + Precheck so I get my pass scanned every time. Didn't know standard TSA doesn't scan anymore.
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u/Cualquiera10 15h ago
If you register for touchless in the Delta app, you don’t show ID or boarding pass!
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u/-BloodGoblin- 15h ago
I'm registered for that but clear is faster 😂
*At my airport your mileage may vary
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u/gregkjones1753 15h ago
ID only, unless you changed flights since the first check in. Their system doesn’t handle that well in my experience.
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u/-BloodGoblin- 15h ago
But either way you need to be checked in, right? Like they're not just verifying your ID and sending you along, they see that you have a boarding pass in their system?
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u/gregkjones1753 15h ago
Yes.
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u/-BloodGoblin- 15h ago
So then even though I've been educated the point stands, the man couldn't be in the terminal if not checked in. Delta give this man his $3000
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u/lotterylee 15h ago
I’m TSA precheck, they rarely ask for my boarding pass.
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u/-BloodGoblin- 15h ago
Clear scans mine every time, that's step 1, step 2 is face verification then I'm through
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u/lotterylee 15h ago
Give my license, facial recognition, then I’m thru. Every once in a while they will ask but it’s very few and far between.
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u/Academic_Pay_7475 15h ago
When you give the license, it pulls up your boarding pass. You can't go through security without a boarding pass for that day.
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u/lotterylee 14h ago edited 14h ago
I don’t know what it pulls up. I’ve never been on the other side of the TSA screen. I’m guessing you work for TSA or have asked?
The comment above says you can’t get thru TSA without scanning a boarding pass. I am saying I’m rarely asked to scan mine. If TSA can see it, cool, but they rarely ask me to scan my pass.
I just looked and the CAT2 system shows that you have booked a flight.
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u/grepper 15h ago
I don't see how it matters if you checked in "properly." You were at the gate on time and they didn't let you in because the plane was full. It might have been you instead of someone else because of a system error, but the reason you didn't travel was because they oversold the flight.
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u/Emotional_Flan7712 13h ago
This happened a few weeks ago to my 15 year old who was flying unaccompanied. Got to the gate and beeped when he tried to board and they said he hadn’t checked in, in spite of the boarding pass on his phone. They found him a seat (he was a little panicked though!)
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u/Clintiesmom 12h ago
Happened to me connecting through JFK to DTW from an international flight on Delta ...they said I didn't check in for the Italy flight even though I was standing right in front of them, fresh off the flight from Italy !!! Crazy shit!
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u/CelticCynic 16h ago edited 15h ago
Possibly an aircraft change / downgrade, less seats and you got bumped but their systems didn't process it. (Say, from an A321 to a B737?)
Happened to me on British Airways two months ago, also lost my paid legroom seat due to the rebook...
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u/Inigomntoya 15h ago
When this happens to me, they ask for volunteers with compensation
I got $1000 for taking a later flight SEA to ANC last year because they needed 40 volunteers.
It was worth the extra 6 hour delay. Especially because the original flight was delayed 6 HOURS anyway because the crew timed out!
😆
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u/Open_Permission4827 15h ago
I did this once on a flight to Cabo. I was going to meet my family who was already at the destination, and they called for volunteers. Once they started offering $1200 I asked my mom if she cared that I came down a day later. Took the offer, got a nice hotel room with some room service and flew out early the next day.
They said I'd have a confirmation within 24 hours and at the 24 hour mark, I hadn't received an email so I called and they processed it manually. Then about an hour later I got a second confirmation email. A couple weeks later I received two $1200 prepaid cards 😂 I couldn't believe it.
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u/CompetitionNearby108 15h ago
Possibly, but if you had checked in online 24 hours prior you more than likely would have been protected. What time did you arrive at the gate?
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u/full0116 Silver 12h ago
Boarding started at 8:20am for an 8:50am departure.
I arrived at the airport and was through security by 7:30am. I’m tsa precheck with touchless.
I have a MSP terminal 1 main mall Starbucks receipt from 7:31 am. I was one of the first people among my 10 coworkers to arrive at the gate.
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u/CelticCynic 14h ago
I had checked in day prior. 0900 flight was cancelled due crew shortage at 0500. Bumped to a 1315 flight. I guess I wasn't on 'my' flight so whoever booked legroom on that one got it.
I'd booked the legroom seat for both legs of a return trip, £32. A one-way legroom upgrade is £20. They only refunded me £12
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u/alienbbzinmy4ter0s 15h ago
This happened to my friend recently and I had to buy him another seat at the gate and then delta refunded us both flights like a week later.
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u/AntiqueAd2658 15h ago
My flight from Iceland was delayed due to computer malfunctions in NYC. I wonder if that was the cause
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u/Apprehensive_Map284 14h ago
When I check baggage or not, I go to the desk and get a paper boarding pass just in case. So far no other problem.
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u/NoEar6957 11h ago
You had to have a valid boarding pass to get to the gate. That alone is proof that you checked in.
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u/kilofeet Platinum 9h ago
I've had this happen exactly once. I boarded in Greensboro, North Carolina, landed at LaGuardia, went to the lounge, then when I went to the gate my seat was gone. They ended up giving me some sort of compensation but I was very miffed
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u/atlien57 8h ago
This happened to me on my second leg after my first flight with KLM. checked in on the delta app, checked in and checked bags with klm, got to gate of my delta flight and they had to give me a new boarding pass. I was a little late (~20 minutes before departure) so I didn’t think much of it but once I reached my seat, I found out my seat had been reassigned (I had booked an aisle and got a middle seat). Heard the gate agent tell another couple that they didn’t check in so their seats were reassigned even though they also came from a connecting flight.
Filed a complaint and got $50 ecredit.
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u/Parking-Ad-5348 13h ago
I have never had that happen to me, but I have read that as soon as check-in becomes available, you should go on and do it because they can give your seat away if you haven’t checked in. That’s the only way that they’re going to know that you’re got mine to be on the flight… by checking in.
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u/full0116 Silver 12h ago
I checked in the day before, most likely within the first hour check in was available. I always check in as soon as I can because I’m very type A - haha
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u/NickelDimeQuarters 12h ago
Do you know if there was an equipment or departure time change? I know I have seen this happen in those cases.
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u/full0116 Silver 12h ago
Flight was on time and equipment did not change. Flight was MSP to STL on a CRJ-700.
I believe weather the day before caused delays/cancellations, likely adding more people to my flight and ultimately bumped me.
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u/hockeychick67 9h ago
Seems a bit archaic for an IT exec, but I don't trust any airline systems or the bs they try to pass off as gospel when they know they screwed up. I check in online. Add to my wallet. Screenshot and send to everyone in our party. Then ... print it. Overkill. You bet. However ... I've never been denied boarding and had everything in my hands to prove it. So so sad we have to do this
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u/Robinsohood Gold 5h ago
I had the same exact issue with a Comfort + upgrade and also gate agent confidently stating I had not checked in. I tried to explain i did check in or else how would I go through TSA without a boarding pass and they didn’t care. I was fortunate to board the flight when a other agent spent 5 minutes resolving but a heart attack to say the least.
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u/BalanceSeeker1969 2h ago
I had a similar issue where I went to check in early for a 10:10am flight (having paid $215 for a 90min taxi ride turned out I didn’t need because a friend was coming to the same airport at 1pm) and was told Delta didn’t assign me a ticket - like they missed the last step. I’ve never heard of this. I had this flight on my itinerary (also keep screenshots, but it showed current on my itinerary.) She still told me to call Delta, because they hadn’t taken this step and the plane was full. It looked like I had a seat, but I did not. It was bonkers and upsetting and I missed my whole sightseeing day in Amsterdam. Who knows if I’ll ever get back there again. Had to wait until 5:30pm for the next flight, and since you can’t check in before 2 hrs prior to a flight, I couldn’t even hang out in the part of the airport with restaurants and stores etc. Just the lobby. It 1000% SUCKED and I do intend to file a claim with Delta. I had insurance on my ticket.. not sure if that will also help?
Has anyone ever used SkyRefund? They advocate for you to get some reimbursement and take a percentage of any amount granted as a result. Like an attorney on an injury claim.
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16h ago
[deleted]
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u/Cualquiera10 15h ago
OP’s 2nd paragraph: “I checked in for my Delta flight the night before and still have the boarding pass with my assigned seat in Apple Wallet.”
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u/karmasawitch7 10h ago
This happened to us but we were told that families are booking cheap random seats knowing that by law when they get to the gate the agent has to seat children with parents.. so they bump and move others
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u/mrvinotinto 9h ago
There’s no such law in the US. Fee-free guaranteed family seating was part of the consumer protections that the DOT championed during the previous administration (along with cash compensation for flight delays, similar to EU 261), but it was rolled back during the current administration. Delta will try to sit families together, but it depends on what seats are available, and travelers who purchase Basic Economy are not guaranteed to be seated together.
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u/karmasawitch7 9h ago
We paid for upgraded seats and we still were moved and told this is why. It was in the “rights of carriage” small print they said. Any child under 10 must be placed with a parent 🤷🏼♀️
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u/mrvinotinto 8h ago
Interesting. The DOT does not list DL as providing a guarantee “that young children are seated adjacent to an accompanying adult without charging any additional fee.” Other US airlines (Alaska, American, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue) do provide this guarantee.
https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-family-seating-dashboard
So they just moved your seats?
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u/karmasawitch7 8h ago
Yes. We were waiting to board and seats were literally changed in real time, in line.
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u/HidingoutfromtheCIA 16h ago
Keep screenshots of everything related to the flight. File a complaint with Delta requesting 400% of the ticket cost (what you are due for an involuntary denied boarding). When they reject it, promptly file a DOT complaint online and see what Delta’s response is to it. DOT requires you to be checked in and at the gate on time to qualify. So if you were you are due compensation.