Does anyone volunteer to be bumped?

[mattmommy]

We were leaving on 8/22 at 11:30 am for ds's 9th bd on 23rd. DM, dh, ds8 and I volunteered to be bumped. We got food vouchers for lunch, dinner, breakfast, vouchers for 2 rooms at a local hotel, first class seats for the next day and (wait for it) $700 flight credit!!!

How sweet was that?

 

[SnwflkCts]

WOW! That was good. One time DH and I inquired when they were looking to bump people ... but we were a very early flight and when we found out the next flight wouldn't be until the next day ... we didn't want to. I am not sure they were offering all you got.

We did get to fly first class once because of a two day delay due to a storm. We had to stay in Florida two more days (sounds good ... but my sister was kind of tired of me so ... bad in that respect! ) Anyway ... THAT was cool. Dwayne was asked if he wanted his jacket hung up ... (we were giggling) -- his worn gray SWEAT JACKET!

Anyway ... your perks were nice ... and gave someone else a chance to make a flight!

 

[mitsybella]

If I were offered that I would take the deal, who can turn down $700 that would be our next flight taken care off..

 

[CarolAnnB]

What airline was that? I never heard of that good a deal!

 

[Sorahana]

My friend tried to get me to bump when we came back after our CP was over. They didn't need anybody to bump but he had done it before and told me the perks, I think it's pretty awesome.

 

[MapleGirl]

Yup. We volunteered to be bumped on a Delta flight back in January. The vouchers we got paid for our airfare to Orlando in March and September. They also gave us dinner vouchers and put us up at a nice hotel.


Back in 1999 I volunteered my seat from Albany to Florida. I got a $1000 travel voucher. That voucher paid for DH and I to fly to Paris! (Delta as well)

 

[bradk]

can't. my airline won't overbook as a matter of policy.

 

[AngVT]

Last year, we did... got $800 in vouchers, and 1st class travel.. It was great! This year, since Delta's messed with my flights 4 times... I wouldn't. I just want to get there.

 

[Kathy Z]

I would not volunteer on my way down. But if we were asked on our way back home it would depend on how good the incentive was and if we could spare the extra time.

 

[Ggatorgirl]

My husband and I volunteer on almost every flight. Most recently our non-stop was cancelled because of mechanical probs. We re-booked on a 1 stop the next day. The first leg of our 1 stop was oversold, so we volunteered, got on the next non-stop and made $300 each in travel vouchers. Way to go.

 

[KellyNY]

Where do you learn about they are looking to bump people? Sounds like a good deal to me. How can I find out, do I call, does it happen when you are already boarding, please any info

 

[Kathy Z]

Where do you learn about they are looking to bump people? Sounds like a good deal to me. How can I find out, do I call, does it happen when you are already boarding, please any info

You'll hear an announcement made from the podium at the gate as you are waiting for the time to board your flight. Something like "flight #123 to Orlando has been oversold. If anyone is willing to change to a later flight please see the agent at the podium."

 

[KellyNY]

You'll hear an announcement made from the podium at the gate as you are waiting for the time to board your flight. Something like "flight #123 to Orlando has been oversold. If anyone is willing to change to a later flight please see the agent at the podium."

Thank you, I will listen more carefully next time. I would not agree to be bumped when I fly to Orlando, it would mess my plans, but on the way back yes I would love to. BTW, how does it work with your bags? Do they transfer them to new flight or they give it back to you?

 

[zddPaul]

BTW, how does it work with your bags? Do they transfer them to new flight or they give it back to you?

I used to fly every 3rd week for business so I have some experience with this.

Usually they don't do either; the bags stay on your original flight even if you don't. This means that if you are volunteering to fly the following day and you are not at your home airport you won't have anything except your carry ons for the night. Some folks put at least underwear and a tooth brush in their carry on just in case. Not a bad idea even if you don't intend to volunteer as bags do get lost/delayed.

When you finally get to your destination you may have to search for you bags. Sometimes they are in the baggage office, other times they are just sitting there off to the side near the luggage carousels.

BTW there is nothing wrong with asking at the gate if they might need any volunteers even before they ask. I've had some luck doing this in the past. One time I asked if they needed anyone to volunteer for a flight I was taking to Europe. They said they didn't think so but it was close so they asked me to wait behind until everyone else boarded. In they end they didn't need me but they upgraded me for free to business class! Getting a seat that reclined nearly flat, having good food and wine and a personal tv with a selection of 10 movies made that flight much more comfortable.

I always ask when they are offering before I definitively volunteer. A few times what they were offering wasn't worth my time. Once it was $75 for a 7 hour delay and for flights between European countries I've seen as little as $30 (but it was cash).

One final tip. Even if you are on a fixed schedule it sometimes still works to volunteer. I've said something like, "I'd volunteer if you can get me to Orlando by 9:00 PM" or whatever and sometimes they are able to make it work. Once I volunteered on the first leg of a two leg journey and I actually got to my destination faster than I was originally scheduled. They sent me through another city with a shorter layover and I still got a $400 voucher.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Since I always get off work the day after I come home, I would volunteer to stay an extra night in Florida if I had too. I don't think I would though going down.

 

[prncess674]

We were leaving on 8/22 at 11:30 am for ds's 9th bd on 23rd. DM, dh, ds8 and I volunteered to be bumped. We got food vouchers for lunch, dinner, breakfast, vouchers for 2 rooms at a local hotel, first class seats for the next day and (wait for it) $700 flight credit!!!

How sweet was that?

Actually it sounds like you got a terrible deal. You got less than $200 per person in flight credit and wasted a day of vacation. I would only take a $200 bump if the flight was just a few hours later. You could have easily negotiated for the food, hotel and $500 per person in bump vouchers since you were being inconvenienced overnight.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Transportation board.

 

[beccasmom]

We try to volunteer when we can. It can be a good deal....flying first class is a lot nicer than coach, especially when it's free! But receiving free tickets for a future trip is pretty sweet, too.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I'm surprised hotel vouchers were provided at all for an 11:30 am flight unless the airline had only one or two flights a day. Would I trade a day of vacation for future credits and a local hotel stay? No.... but it works for some people!

 

[mattmommy]

Actually it was $700 per PERSON. We were staying down in WDW for 2 weeks otherwise we possibly would have passed it up.

Sorry I wasn't more clear.

Continental--love it!