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Gadling's guide to getting bumped: Execution
So you find yourself at the airport and you know the flight is overbooked. The first thing you want to do is go talk to the gate agent before he or she even makes the announcement. I've struggled to find the right words to do this, but usually I stick with:"I saw that the flight was overbooked and thought I would volunteer if you need me"
Most of the times this causes them to check their loads and confirm. Sometimes they look at you like you're crazy.
If an overbooking (or the potential) is imminent, the GA will either keep you in mind or take your boarding pass at that point. And if you're lucky you'll get kicked off the flight. Just make sure that you have your seat guaranteed if you don't get kicked off.
Now, after the gate has cleared and the jet has left you need to begin negotiating with the GA for your vouchers. Technically, I believe that they're supposed to "barter" you up to the maximum voucher that they can give out (per the airlines' policy). In the case of Northwest it's 300$ or a free round trip ticket -- I think Continental is 400$. In reality though, I've always been given the 300$ voucher immediately.Double check that you're being rebooked on the most ideal itinerary. As I mentioned earlier, most GAs will try to put you on the next direct flight. But if you know of a better or more comfortable routing, feel free to suggest it. Also ask if you can be put into first class. Yes, that actually works -- considering the favor that you are doing to the airline you shouldn't feel bad asking for favors.
You also want to double check the validity of your flight vouchers. It's not the same on all airlines, but free flight vouchers on NWA stipulate that you can only travel in certain class on a certain day. 300$ vouchers are good for any occasion, and since I rarely fly on tickets that are over 300$ anyway, I always take them.
Depending on your situation you're also probably entitled to free meal tickets. Unless your next flight is leaving immediately, ask for them. If you're stuck overnight, you should also be getting a hotel voucher as well as free transportation to and from the hotel.
Voucher and free meal tickets in hand, you're now free to roam about the airport. Check out Neil's info on making the best on your layover, or if you're bored, try to sneak into an airline club. More on that later too.
Ultimately, it takes a combination of luck, research and planetary alignment to create the perfect bumping conditions. Of the several dozen flights I've taken this year I've been bumped three or four times, which when you think about it, adds up. In a way though, I see the task less as work and more as a casual hobby. If you enjoy travel as much as I do, give it a try.
If you've got to be stuck somewhere, better hope you're stuck at these airports!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Creative Dinettes Nov 3rd 2007 11:02AM
Seems to contain some good information.
JOY Nov 1st 2007 7:51PM
I could not have written it better. I travel extensively over the last 3.5 yrs, all paid by the business I sub contract with. All travel arrangements are made by the company's travel agent of choice, and yet I benifit by frequant flyer miles, hotel points, and much much more. Yes, I use the exact plan in taking the opportunities to get bumped on an overbooked flight. It is always only on return trip home, having the say so as to when I return home. I specifically make it a point starting late August to the end of year into new year to get tickets for soilders to get home for the holidays. This Thanksgiving holiday over $1000.00 in airline tickets and hotel stays have been givin. I count my blessing to be able to pass on the blessings. My last bump on Sept 24, went down exactly as you written. Upon arrival at desk for flight, I stay close to desk, and also advise them that in the event of a overbook, I certainly volunteer. Wow, they just love ya. And yes, I take advantage of negotiating the most that may be available as you mentioned... max $ voucher, that is guaranteed 100% no hassel transfer and use. Dinner, lodging if applicable and my best yet it to get a re-rounted flight out to a desired destination, such as to NY to see family, on their ticket, and still get vouches. luggage, et al is all taken care of. And travel first class most times, a step up then my initial business class status and privilages. It has become my ministry and a great blessing to contribute in this way. Great coverage and advise given by the writer. For those who have not tried an overbooking bump, just follow the steps given, and forever more you'll look for your next opportunity. Happy flying to all.
Susan Nov 1st 2007 7:52PM
I was bumped from a flight with US Airways and they gave me the voucher and all info to get the money- I called and emailed and wrote to them and they have refused to refund my money or pay the voucher, in essence they told me tough- you are a loser and we are the winner.
Debbie Nov 2nd 2007 9:12AM
I'm one of those GAs. First let me say when a flight's overbooked we make announcements for volunteers. We know the maximun we can and WILL give. But in extreme cases our supervisors will up it by 3-4 times then what we're allowed to offer.
Yes, we always offer 1st class seats on the next flt if available. We also use any 1st class seats that might be available on our overbooked flt. We'll also allow passengers to go to other cities in the area if they want. Most times if the passenger asked if they can go the next day, that's not a problem either, but we're NOT going to pay for the hotel or extra meals that might be involved. If our first available flt is the next day we give hotel, meal and if needed transportation vouchers.
In some cases if first class isn't available on the outbound flt we will upgrade the return flt or give a voucher for first class on future flights.
If they have to wait in the airport several hours we give meal vouchers. I always tell people to make sure you use the full amount, not that it's hard to do, because they're not going to get the difference in cash, but the restaurant does.
If WE can't get the passenger to their original city, unless they ask to go to another one, we give transportation vouchers to the original airport. Also if we can't get them to the original city, again unless they ask to go to another one, we deliver their bags.
And yes, the nicer you are to us the harder we will try to do more for the volunteer. Just don't demand things, because that's when we only give the what final offer is. Nothing more, nothing less.
If in the end we don't use volunteers I know I do and many others make sure the flight attendents on the flt know and comp the volunteer. Usually drinks and headsets..
Steve Nov 2nd 2007 8:36AM
The best "bump" ever.
My wife and I volunteered for a bump on a Chicago to Mexico flight. We turned in our boarding passes, & the desk crew gave us our certificates for two free tickets to any place in the continental US. They began working on getting us to our destination on later flights as an incoming flight arrived. They were short handed, & had to stop work on our re-booking. The short story is that they did not have enough time to get us on the flight they were working on, so gave us our boarding passes back. They also let us keep the certificates for the free tickets. We'll be flying cross country to San Francisco this February on them. Ahhhhhhhh!!
Cheryl Nov 2nd 2007 9:17AM
Great article. I am a big believer is making my travel plans flexible so I can volunteer. I have two flights booked right now from free vouchers and three more left to use. That was just from this year.
A comment to Susan... I fly USAirways exclusively. I'm not sure who you told you otherwise, but you do not get the cash for the value of the vouchers. They are good only towards future travel. I have never had a problem using them.
A comment to Debbie... I would love to know what airline that is! When they do not need my seat, I have never been offered anything (i.e. headsets or drinks) once on board. In addition, they are usually out of overhead space and they need to check your bags. Not very convenient if you need something from your bag during the flight. Therefore, my suggestion to anyone considering this is to only carry what can go under the seat in front of you!
Sandy Nov 2nd 2007 10:47AM
I did this on US Air and it was a horrible experience. The vouchers were limited and I could only use them at 6:00 AM to fly to Albany NY. They then let me use them for 200.00 but charged me a 5.00 ticketing fee. I also could not get my boarding passes on line and had to wait at the airport for them. Next time I want an unrestricted ticket or let somebody else deal with the aggravation.
Debbie Nov 3rd 2007 10:51AM
to Cheryl, I have to agree with you about the overhead space. Also to everyone, make sure you take any thing of importance out of any bag you gate check or even check at the check in counter. Like meds, your computer, jewelery, important papers, diapers for the baby, food and bottles for the little ones, etc.
For obivous reasons I can't and won't tell you who I work for. But I do advise the F/As the people who volunteered. What they do after the door is closed is not in my control. The F/As always tell us they'll do it, but of course we have no way of knowing if they do or don't.
Prima Jan 16th 2008 11:58PM
Oh great, another idiot making my job harder!
train Jan 17th 2008 1:20AM
This is a well written article based on the experience my wife and I have had. We have "bumped" or volunteered over twenty times. All of our experiences have been good ones. One year we flew to Hawaii three times for a cost of one ticket and we've had numerous trips to Florida and Arizona on these "free flights."
Our approach hasn't been to go to so much effort. We're not bent on beating the system so if it doesn't happen we're fine with that. We've discovered that certain airports and at certain times of the day, and I suppose certain routes also....it is almost guaranteed that they will ask for volunteers. So when we plan our trips we plan with with this in mind and schedule our flights accordingly.
Yes, we get to the agent before the volunteer announcement. How many times when the call for volunteers went out that my wife and I would give each other that knowing glance and rejoice in another "success." This has been going on for years and now we travel less but our little airport/schedule nitch still exists and still works. In a way I'm a little sad to see this being published because that usually means that it comes to an end.
I'll share this before I close. We had one experience when the airline company announced for volunteers offering a free flight. I volunteered both our tickets. There wasn't sufficient response so there was another call offering two free flights, and then a half hour later, a third call with three flights offered. We got the three flights. To top it off, within 30 minutes, they put us on another airline's flight to the same location and we landed 20 minutes ahead of our original flight!
Go figure. Sometimes God's grace is extended to these small things.