Originally Posted by RCD73

Same experience a few weeks back going to SYD

Dal gate agent said "there are no open seats in coach and I can't put you in First". She accepted my $30.00 fee and told me I was welcome to wait around.

On the way to to the United counter I politely asked a DAL supervisor what the policy was for OAL international jumpseaters. He confirmed that they could only be assigned a coach seat and then it was at the discretion of the CA if they were 'moved up'. He said the problem was that if coach is full you wont get on the aircraft therefore the CA cannot intervene. My companies jumpseat coordinator confirmed with his opposite number at DAL that this is indeed their policy for OAL international jumpseaters.

At the United gate I was assigned a business class (lie flat etc.) seat and boarded the aircraft. No cost.

Not a stab at DAL. I have no idea what would have happened if I had waited around at their gate. I have also had good experiences commuting to work on them.