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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 2 of 2)
Carloh Nov 2nd 2007 11:18AM
A few years ago (before 9/11) I was returning from London to NYC on American and at the beginning of the line, the attendant said they were looking to take 20 people off the flight. They offered $1,000 voucher, a night at airport hotel, dinner voucher, trans. to the terminal. I found out later it was for cargo, since they asked our weight. I took it and flew free, with no hassles, for a while. Maybe that was the old days........:)
Stace81 Jan 16th 2008 11:14PM
I think there should be 5 steps.... Research Reasearch Research!
Go to your Airlines website & read EVERYTHING, esp. the small print so you have a better idea of what you should do/take if you do volunteer.
Marc Jan 16th 2008 10:54PM
My first trip to Hawaii was in 1984. I flew when there was triple miles, which got me a free trip back to Hawaii, and then I got bumped on the way back which gave me an extra day to see Pearl Harbor, and I used the free ticket for another trip to Hawaii. I have done that ever since and I have been to Hawaii this july will be 37 times, and I only paid 2 times.
Kent Jan 17th 2008 12:16AM
Over the years, my wife and I have been bumped a number of times. We have gotten free or very cheap tickets from Chicago to San Antonio, Las Vegas, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Seattle, and Boston.
We've also gotten first-class upgrades every time we've been bumped, except once when coming back from Las Vegas. We got first from Vegas to LAX, but LAX-O'Hare was showing full in first.
Here's the key to getting the first-class upgrade. Try to dress nicely. It doesn't have to be coat and tie, but business casual will do. Wearing sweats and sneakers or cut-offs and flip-flops won't get you into first. Even airline employees have to dress up somewhat, if they want to non-rev in first.
Jazy Jan 17th 2008 12:53AM
On a return trip from Vegas 4 of us took a bump for the next day. We got round trip tickets to use any time usa, AND first class home! China, crystal, steak and scallops ans lots of drinks!! Well worth the trouble. Thanks American West.
Firewind Jan 17th 2008 4:08AM
ALWAYS take the $$$ vouchers.
First, all the airlines are tightening up on the terms of the free tickets. I am a 100,000 mi. flyer on United, and the last free ticket I took (forgetting my own advice) only allowed redemption if a super-discounted space (inventory) were available -- equivalent to the cheapest revenue ticket. During the summer, you can forget availability. Further, the trip had to be booked at least two weeks ahead, any changes incurred the same fees as if it were a revenue ticket, and the return couldn't be changed once the outbound was taken. All in parallel with the equivalent fare class.
Second, you EARN frequent flyer miles when you use the $$$ voucher. Some may think this doesn't matter, but you never know...
Last, not least, you have the right to receive the $$$ vouchers, even if the offer is a free ticket.