Getting bumped at airport?

[Lewisc]

of course if you're bumped going to WDW and are using the yellow tags your luggage may get to your resort before you even land.

 

[adrock1976]

of course if you're bumped going to WDW and are using the yellow tags your luggage may get to your resort before you even land.

Good point...very true.

 

[Capt_BJ]

My wife has been playing the bump game with the pros for about 6 years. it has been that long since we actually paid for a plane ticket. On one cross country trip she came home with 4 new vouchers per person good for a trip anywhere the airline went in 12 months and had rec'd 2 1st class upgrades to boot. The trip started on 1 pair of vouchers...

She watches the desk people closely and I swear she can read their minds as they reach for the mike to make an announcement asking for volunteers then DO NOT get in her way as she leaps for the counter

Yes - she plans this time into our (non-business) trips.

Have 3 each waiting to be used in next 12 months .sitting on the desk.. oh yes, most are also transferable so they make nice gifts....

Various airlines.

I guess we're not boosting their profit margin much....

America West was her favorite ... they always overbooked it seemed....

 

[travelin' tigger]

My wife has been playing the bump game with the pros for about 6 years. it has been that long since we actually paid for a plane ticket. On one cross country trip she came home with 4 new vouchers per person good for a trip anywhere the airline went in 12 months and had rec'd 2 1st class upgrades to boot. The trip started on 1 pair of vouchers...

Have 3 each waiting to be used in next 12 months .sitting on the desk.. oh yes, most are also transferable so they make nice gifts....

WOW, I've got to start hanging out with you two!!!

 

[seashoreCM]

she can read their minds as they reach for the mike to make an announcement asking for volunteers then DO NOT get in her way as she leaps for the counter ....

Sorry, I leap for the counter too.

Sometimes I will try to be first when the gate agent first opens the counter, and ask if he might need volunteers then.

Now isn't it cutting in line to leap from the side to the counter when someone already in line is trying to do the same thing?

For awhile I chose Delta over United because United put elites ahead on the volunteer list even when I volunteered first. But now I think Delta does that too.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[riu girl]

Just to recap, is this basically how a voluntary bump works with SWA?

1) Passenger(s) is/are given back the $ that they paid for the flight (in the form of ticketless travel funds)
2) Passenger(s) is/are given a ticket travel voucher to be used within one years time for an additional $100 or $200 per passenger (can anyone confirm whether it is $100 or $200)?????

3) What if you are bumped from the last flight of the evening? Are you also given a hotel voucher for an airport hotel for that evening??

Thanks

 

[NotUrsula]

Just to recap, is this basically how a voluntary bump works with SWA?

Not exactly.

1) Passenger(s) is/are given back the $ that they paid for the flight (in the form of ticketless travel funds).

No. You are not refunded the price of your flight. The face value of your ticket for the delayed segment is added to the voucher amount. If you are on an RR ticket, that amount is $0.

2) Passenger(s) is/are given a ticket travel voucher to be used within one years time for an additional $100 or $200 per passenger (can anyone confirm whether it is $100 or $200)?????

The amount depends on how badly they need the seat and how long you will be delayed. The amount usually starts out small but gets increased if they get no takers. It may begin as low as $50 (they are hoping for locals on this one), but is usually $100 if they can confirm you on the next flight, and $200 if you won't leave until the next day or if they plan to put you on standby indefinitely. Occasionally they will go higher if they really need the seat badly. If they *force* you to take the bump, federal law says you get $200 if the delay is <2 hrs., $400 if it is more than that. You can get cash for an involuntary bump, but they happen VERY rarely on SWA; most of the time they get lots of volunteers.

3) What if you are bumped from the last flight of the evening? Are you also given a hotel voucher for an airport hotel for that evening??

No. Perhaps in an involuntary bump situation, but I'm guessing it would be incredibly rare.

 

[riu girl]

Thanks for the info.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

Sunday night Nov 12th MCO to LGA we took a voluntary bump with Delta

1 We given back $400.00 "Each" in Delta
travel vouchers to be used within one year time (can transfer to anyone)

2 Hotel vouchers for Hyatt airport hotel (Magnificent)

3. $21.00 each in meal vouchers (can be used anywhere in the airport including the Hyatt)

4. Delta overnight kits (many toiletries & Delta tee shirt)

5. Was re-booked the next morning to MCO to MIA (1hr.) then MIA to LGA
"First Class" 2 1/2 hr. Flight.

5. Voucher for town car transportation from LGA to home

 

[seashoreCM]

Voluntary bump packages may or may not include a hotel room and may be selected by someone bumped involuntarily. In the latter case the bump is reclassified as voluntary.

Involuntary bump compensation is a single required cash amount with strict rules about the amount, for example if you can be rebooked so many hours later.

It is not a good idea to do a voluntary bump when traveling on business since your boss may discipline you for not making the meeting or appointment or not getting back to work punctually upon return.

If you were next in line for bumping and someone else was large enough to take up more than one seat on a full flight, you may refuse to squeeze into the remaining space and you may force the situation to be treated as involuntary.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[clkelley]

Some friends of ours were recently bumped on Delta from MCO to HSV.

They got $400 each in Delta travel vouchers, they got a meal voucher for the airport.

They were put on the next Delta flight to BHM, then provided taxi transportation from BHM to HSV.