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Gadling's guide to getting bumped: The alternate route
Chances are, after the jet leaves the terminal and you're dealing with the gate agent, he or she is going to try to toss you onto the next identical itinerary, give you your voucher and send you on your way. What's important to remember though, is that its the airlines' responsibility to get your home; after all, you did volunteer to give up your seat at their benefit. So you've got a little bit of leverage and can make a few demands.
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Primarily, you have sway over your return itinerary. If you're in a small airport with only a couple of flights out a day you're going to have more difficulty, but if you're in a hub, your options can be numerous. My favorite thing to do is check seatcounter at the same time I'm checking loads for alternate routes. For example, if I plug in my DTW-LAX flight on NW next Sunday I get my actual flight leaving at 5:30 and I see that there is also a direct flight leaving at 7:40, as well as two flights connecting through Minneapolis, one leaving at 7:04 and one leaving at 7:40.
It's handy to have these alternate routes written down (or memorized, if you're the minimalist like me) so that you can have a point to argue with the GA when he or she is rebooking you. For example, the agent could find that the 7:40 DTW-LAX flight is full and try to rebook you for the next day. That's where you suggest connecting through Minneapolis. They have complete authority to reroute your itinerary or send you to Narnia if you ask for it.
Another handy trick is to know the surrounding airports. If someone is picking me up or I have easy means to get around, I'll suggest Ontario, San Diego or Santa Ana as alternative airports to fly into.
Finally, consider other carriers within the alliance of your airline. Northwest may not have flights headed to Los Angeles available later that afternoon, but Continental or Delta may have outbound flights. If you're really itching to get out ASAP, ask the agent to search on those carriers.
As a last resort, you can always call the reservation hotline while you're on your own. If you've done your research and think that you can get a better itinerary, call up a phone agent, tell them you got bumped and suggest some alternate routings. This has worked for me a few times as I was waiting in super long lines to get rebooked.
Primarily, you have sway over your return itinerary. If you're in a small airport with only a couple of flights out a day you're going to have more difficulty, but if you're in a hub, your options can be numerous. My favorite thing to do is check seatcounter at the same time I'm checking loads for alternate routes. For example, if I plug in my DTW-LAX flight on NW next Sunday I get my actual flight leaving at 5:30 and I see that there is also a direct flight leaving at 7:40, as well as two flights connecting through Minneapolis, one leaving at 7:04 and one leaving at 7:40.It's handy to have these alternate routes written down (or memorized, if you're the minimalist like me) so that you can have a point to argue with the GA when he or she is rebooking you. For example, the agent could find that the 7:40 DTW-LAX flight is full and try to rebook you for the next day. That's where you suggest connecting through Minneapolis. They have complete authority to reroute your itinerary or send you to Narnia if you ask for it.
Another handy trick is to know the surrounding airports. If someone is picking me up or I have easy means to get around, I'll suggest Ontario, San Diego or Santa Ana as alternative airports to fly into.
Finally, consider other carriers within the alliance of your airline. Northwest may not have flights headed to Los Angeles available later that afternoon, but Continental or Delta may have outbound flights. If you're really itching to get out ASAP, ask the agent to search on those carriers.
As a last resort, you can always call the reservation hotline while you're on your own. If you've done your research and think that you can get a better itinerary, call up a phone agent, tell them you got bumped and suggest some alternate routings. This has worked for me a few times as I was waiting in super long lines to get rebooked.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tb Nov 1st 2007 5:23PM
no offense, but the person writing this needs to do his homework. You do NOT deal with a gate agent when rebooking a flight, you deal with customer service agents. The gate persons job is to take you boarding pass and take care of getting everyone on the plane.
CSA's try to re-route you as best they can, even if it means through different cities to get you to your destination.
Airline employees are not dummies, please give them some credit.
Will Kruysman Nov 1st 2007 6:39PM
Probably won't work now, but years ago I regularly picked up freebees from People Express and then took the kids and other family everywhere. Down to my last two and PE had folded and been gobbled up by Continental. Booked a trip to LAX with my girl with the freebees for a return on Jan 1, the expiration date, a Friday. Add the Rose Bowl, etc. and everything ended up overbooked the whole weekend. Acting the angry "bumped" passenger I managed to get rebooked from each flight to the next overbooked one and spent a fun weekend, hotel and dinner courtesy of the airline, in LA. By Sunday night a steely eyed GA said "You, get on that plane. You're going back to NY now, first class." I sent flowers and candy to the agent's lounge, with a thank you note. We rode home FC and spent the following year riding around the country on Continental with our five (each) free passes. I worked at UAL as a PSA and know the "mad" act often works.
I still play it when I can.
Also, a bit of advice. Sign up for miles whenever you can, no matter what airline or where. When they have to bump from coach, it's the milers that get first call to sit up front. Great perk on an 11 hour trip.
PJ Nov 2nd 2007 1:18PM
I recall a Continental flight from Hartford to the Twin Cities that at the Kiosk offered $300 to bump. I volunteered at the gate and was accepted. After the flight left, they rebooked me (overnight by the way, paid for a cheap hotel and mimimal for food) and only offered me a $200 credit. Of course I argued harrasy and they finally gave me $250. A few days later I called Continental to argue--to no avail. Bumps are great if the details work. Just be careful on the details.
lin Jan 17th 2008 1:21AM
Huh? sure you deal with the gate agent. They ask you to be on standby, you accept and they give you the next flight available. I just traveled to Cleveland and if I didnt have my daughter with me WHOA NELLIE! People were overbooked and canceled from the snow storm the night before. Gate agents were reticketing canceled flights from JFK and another airline. no one is suggesting the gate agents or ticketing agents are stupid. Just how to get a free ticket if you have time to be flexible. No please go get your undies outta a wad. TY for flying USAIR.