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Gadling's guide to getting bumped
We've all heard the announcement over the intercom at the gate asking for "volunteers" to take a later flight. And most of us know that you can earn a couple of flight vouchers or sandwiches for giving up your seat, but does anyone really want to do this? Is it worth the time and suffering for a lousy plane ticket and some free airport food?Yes, my friends, it is. And if you take ten minutes before your flight to do a little research, it can be damn gratifying.
Consider the relative discomfort that you have to endure for a few hours in exchange for a free ticket or a monetary travel voucher. Imagine where you can go or who you can surprise
with that ticket; a weekend trip to Puerto Rico, dinner with friends in New York, that pickup game of badminton you've been dying to get in on in Phoenix. Take yourself out of the mind-set of a business or suffering traveler and focus on really getting away. The evening that you invest in this bump voucher will pay off one hundred fold when you tell your girlfriend that you're taking her to Fort Lauderdale instead of your parents' place for the weekend.It's not that hard to do. Pack light, be patient and follow Gadling's instructions below and you'll be on your way to greener pastures in no time. I've broken down the process into four steps.
- What is overbooking and how do I take advantage of it?
- Preparation and online tools: checking your flight loads.
- Preparation and online tools: the alternate route
- Execution and voucher collection
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
nick Oct 29th 2007 7:22PM
I recently got bumped on a flight from PHL to CHA.The flight was overbooked and when i heard the GA ask for any volunteers to switch flights i rushed to the counter.He gave me a flight that was only an hour later and we got to pick our seats instead of being cramed in the back seats of the DC9 with no windows and the roar of the engine right next to us. But we choose the free flight voucher instead of the 300$ dollar voucher.we were so happy we thought we would take a vacation in florida during Spring Break but when we got home and called NWA's reservation center they said there was only a couple of days this year that we could go and i had work so i couldnt go.So if you ever get bumped on NWA take the 300$ dollar voucher because it is good for any day of the year.
Grant.Martin Oct 29th 2007 7:23PM
You can use that free flight voucher as either a 200 or 250$ discount on an a regular ticket.
Check the t&c's or call a NWA agent and they will fill you in.
Dan Oct 30th 2007 6:06PM
Yeah, those "free" tickets they offer for bumping come out of the same inventory as the frequent flyer mile tickets do. And more and more the airlines aren't letting you switch to the voucher after the fact (so good luck there, Nick). I won't take a bump unless they are specifically giving the $ off voucher and will tell anyone who is considering taking said offer what they are getting. Needless to say I've had some ticked off gate agents when the "suckers" (I mean volunteers) turn them down after they talk to me.
LC Nov 1st 2007 2:33PM
A few years ago, my wife and I were traveling to Munich via Atlanta. When we arrived at our Atlanta departure gate, Delta was asking for volunteers to be rerouted through Paris to Munich because our non-stop was oversold. This meant we would arrive in Munich around 3 hours later than our original plan. The airline was offering flight vouchers for the bump. We volunteered but instead of taking the flight vouchers (set amount of money towards a future flight) we asked instead if we could fly overseas business class. They said sure...no problem. Then the 8 or so passengers who were behind us in line, volunteering for the bump, asked for the same thing. We ended up flying comfortably over the Atlantic, got good night's sleep, etc. In Paris we were given Air France Lounge privileges and arrived in Munich rested and well fed. Sometimes a bump can work well, as it did this time. We even made friends for a day with our fellow "bumpees" crossing in business class.
Kirsten Nov 1st 2007 2:38PM
I was flying from Hartford to West Palm about 10 years ago with my then boyfriend. We had an early flight. I forget which airline. Anyway, we bumped off of 4 flights in one day and got a free night at a hotel to leave the next morning. For that...we got 8 free round trips tickets to anywhere in the USA. I went to California to see friends. Needless to say I did a lot of free flying that year. Totally worth it if you can manage it. I have children now and wouldn't even think of it.
Dennis Kent Nov 1st 2007 3:13PM
We always add an extra day onto our vacation to be able to take advantage of the bumps. That is especially true when traveling during busier times like spring break or a holiday. A couple of other tips work for us. Stand out from the crowd. We have waited to one side and been offered upgrades to first class because our seat was needed. They couldn't do that if we were "in with the rest of the herd." In my carry on I have a bag of Hershey kisses. I give them frequently to ticket agents, gate agents, flight attendants or anyone I want to say "thank you" to. That small gesture has often gotten us exceptional service. It is fun to say, "you have been so nice I could kiss you." and give them a chocolate. You would think I had given them a $20 tip.
Cammille Nov 1st 2007 5:02PM
Last year my husband changed jobs and had to go for a week of training in Hartford, CN. two weeks before Christmas. Along the way, he got bumped three times, pocketed $800.00, had a night's stay in a nice hotel and arrived only 24 hours later than expected. Santa would have had a real hard time finding our house had that not happened. (o:
Ideas Peddler Nov 1st 2007 6:04PM
Or take your boyfriend to Florida. Or get bumped twice and have tickets to take your boyfriend and girlfriend for a nice bi weekend in Florida. Heterosexuality is so passe.
http://noblemedicine.com
jack Nov 1st 2007 6:02PM
It was over 20 years ago when our family of 5 and 2 friends flew from Nassau to Vancouver on United. We collectively volunteered to bump off 3 flights and received 21 free domestic round trip vouchers in one day. We ended up arriving 45 mins after our scheduled arrival time. We used them a over the next 2 years.
brandi Nov 1st 2007 6:27PM
To Dennis Kent, OF COURSE it's like you giving us (I'm a flight attendant) 20 bucks tip. Your small gesture goes a long way in front of all the jerks who get on and demand demand deman without even a thank you. We LOVE people like you! So keep at it, and anyone else who tries it will see a HUGE difference in service.
Mistycat Nov 1st 2007 6:40PM
My husband and I flew United at Christmas 2006 from Europe through Washington DC. We had extra time. Volunteered to get bumped when we checked in at the gate. Asked them if we could stay 2 days instead of flying out first thing the next day. United had no problems with that and stayed the 2 days - one at United's expense, one at ours, had meal coupons, for 3 squares for 1 day (2nd day on us). Be advised coupons don't cover full cost of meals at hotel so be prepared with extra cash to cover the difference. Upshot: We got 2 free tickets out of the deal to fly anywhere in the US for any flight within a year with no blackout dates. We are heading to Tampa tomorrow for our cruise to the Caribbean that starts Sunday with those tickets! Without those free tickets, our cruise vacation costs would have been an additional $400 ea. So we saved at least $800 by getting bumped back in December 2006! We had a great time in DC. We'll do it again if we have days available to handle layovers. Particularly when we're retired!
Maddie Nov 1st 2007 7:22PM
On a flight from Fla, three of us volunteered our seats and then were notified that they did not need our seats, by the time they told us and boarded us, we found that we were in first class....those warm nuts sure were great, needless to say it was all the reward we needed...
Another time I volunteered my seat, got a free ticket and actually got put on a direct flight that got there before my original flight..I have been lucky with volunteering
Ron Nov 1st 2007 8:04PM
My wife and I volunteerd to give up out seats on 12/22 from SFO-ORD after the GA said we would be on the next flight. Initially we were told the vouchers would be for $400 each, but when we received them, they were for $800 each. When we questioned the GA about the possibly of giving up our seats on the next flight we were told, yes however the vouchers would be for $100 only and we would have to wait until the next day for a flight. Told 'em we had made enought money for this trip and kept the tickets for the next flight.
Michael Nov 1st 2007 10:20PM
Was recently returning from a business trip on USAirways. Confirmed flight was oversold, gave up my seat and was confirmed on next flight out (45 minutes later) that was oversold,which I volunteered for. Confirmed on a flight 2 hours later that was oversold and volunteered as well. Ended up with 3 free tickets (or can use each for $200 off any fare, which works better for me to keep my Preferred status with them). Agent called their "club" which I was allowed to use so got some work done. Not a bad deal and only arrived home about 5 hours later than my business partner who decided not to volunteer. Agents were wonderful and got me great seats on my flights home as well.
I actually could have stayed longer and volunteered more as most of their flights were oversold, but didn't want to press my luck :)
bogus Nov 2nd 2007 9:15AM
It would be nice if the attendants were nicer to older single women. Have seen nothing nice from any of them on trips so kiss my ass
Rick Magalis Nov 2nd 2007 9:16AM
I recently paid what I thought was a very unreasonable price for a round-trip ticket on United (over $700.00) from DC to Providence, Rhode Island. I actually bought the ticket well ahead of the flight (about two weeks). I could have bought the same ticket from another airline for less than $400.00 but because I was traveling on business with people holding seats on the United flight, I elected to go United also. When we arrived at the Providence airport for the return trip with my associates, I was unable to get a boarding pass from the computer terminal and received a message to check with the gate for a seat. When I ask the United person at the gate for a seat, he replied that he could not give me a seat until 30 minutes prior to the flight (it was about 45 minutes at the time). I said, look, I paid for a seat and I want a seat. He again said he could not issue me a seat until 30 minutes before the flight. The other people that I was traveling with had received their boarding passes earlier since they had checked baggage. Again, when ask, the gate attendant said they might be overbooked so he would have to wait until 30 minutes before the flight to issue me a boarding pass. I asked what he would use to determine who got the seats if they were over booked. He said that the policy was to give it to the person who paid the most. Now, as I said, I had paid almost twice what another airline was charging and my ticked did not have any restrictions. So, I told the attendant that I had paid way too much for the United ticket to begin with and when I paid for something, I expected to get it. I also said that I thought it was illegal to sell something then not deliver. Anyway, as it turned out, the flight was not overbooked and I did get a seat. I have been flying most of my life, as a Naval Aviator and airline pilot. It is clear to me why the airlines are having so many problems with policies like the one I experienced with United. I have always tried to avoid flying United Airlines in the past and will never, never, never fly them again. I will also encourage all my friends to not fly United. So the overbooking policy is not always a good thing, especially when you are traveling on business with other people.
Greg K. Nov 2nd 2007 9:16AM
My wife and I took the free flight vouchers from USAirways---what they DON'T tell you is these are limited usage...you can only use them for certain flights on certain dates. As of yet, we have not been able to use them, after nearly 9 months
Darlene Nov 2nd 2007 9:18AM
A couple of years ago we were flying United and on our return trip two in our group of five got bumped in Philly. The rest of us volunteered to give up our seats so as not to break up the group. We were given free travel vouchers which we thought would be great. Spent the night on Philly on our dime. When we tried to use those vouchers (which was a pain to get correct information from the reps) no dates were available. What a rip-off. We were calling in August to try to fly in December. (nothing was available?) I will never fly United again.
cdaniels Nov 2nd 2007 9:55AM
When I was studying abroad in London, I was flying back and fourth fom the States. Always same flight same airport, and ALWAYS arrived 2 hours early...So one winter, the flight before me was (7pm) was delayed, the flight after that delayed, the flight before mine was canceled,my flight was OVER BOOKED and so fourth..But because I arrived early...I was offered FIRST CLASS if I left on the next flight. Lets just say, that not only did i agree, I was booted to the NEXT flight, was in my own cabin w/a personal flight attendent, got a massage onboard and was give EXPRESS CHECK out once in arrived in the uk:-)
Debbie Nov 3rd 2007 12:11AM
to Rich Maglas. if you are/were a commerical pilot then you know EVERY airline overbooks according to a no show factor. Most times everyone does get a seat. Unless the weather was bad the day before or it's during a holiday or worse both, then it's a real problem
I know the airline I work for what you paid has nothing to do with who gets a seat in an overbooked situation, but who checks in first. So check in on line 24 hours prior and you'll be on the top of the list IF you didn't get a seat.
To all if you're having trouble using the travel vouchers you're flying the wrong airline. Our airline gives vouchers that are used just like cash, except you don't get anything back if the ticket is less and you can't use for more then one ticket each. So if any of you plan your trips around overbooked flights check the airline's policy about the vouchers.