Got Bumped for Free Plane Tickets on USAir

[momof2inPA]

My family of 4 was scheduled to leave Orlando at 6a.m. on Sunday, but the plane was overbooked, so we offered to be bumped to an 8:30 direct flight (the other had a connection). We arrived in Pittsburgh only one hour later than scheduled, with 4 free ticket vouchers. We could have done the same on the 8:30 flight. Just posting so anyone interested can be prepared to do the same. It was very crowded at Disney last week, so the over-bookings may continue. They also put us in First Class for the later flight.

We also were given a brand new mini-van at Dollar because there were no compact or midsize cars available.

 

[Muffy]

Great! I agree that getting bumped is a good way to get free tickets for your next trip.

 

[Mickey527]

Wow, you had a great trip. First the upgraded car, then the bump. And first class to boot. Lucky you.
I fly Southwest most of the time and they never overbook. Darn!
I did fly TWA before Southwest came to CT and got bumped twice. those free flights are a great way to take that unexpected next trip.
Hope you bought yourself AP's instead of LOS passes. You now have a reason to use them. Peggie

 

[missypie]

My BIL supports a family of 5 on a teacher's salary. They book every flight for the absolute busiest time and always sign up to be bumped. They are bumped on at least one leg of every trip and get vouchers for their next vacation. Last spring break they were bumped 3 times on the way to Florida ... they could have been bumped a 4th time but they would have lost a second day of their vacation.

It's not something I would choose to do - esp. with 3 kids, but it is what enables them to take several vacations a year.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Good for you, great luck!

It's only DH and I, and we would love to get bumped, but we haven't in over a year. In fact, I think the last time was when we had to spend an extra night in Orlando, MLK weekend of last year. We've been thinking that the airlines have been getting more efficient and not overbooking anyway on the routes we travel that seems to be the case.

Mom's flying to Orlando from Philly next week, and we're flying from Dayton, so we can't be bumped then, we need to meet her at the airport and head to WDW for MNSSHP, now that's not so bad!

Bobbi

 

[momof2inPA]

We were very lucky with our whole trip. We could have offered to give up our seats on the way to Orlando also, but we would have had to fly into Tampa and be shuttled to Orlando. The Orlando USAir counter rep said they were so much busier than they had expected, and it's never that busy in October. The parks were very, very crowded for October, but manageable.

I think we'll use our tickets for a beach vacation, but my husband has dreams of going to the Rosebowl if Purdue makes it.

 

[missypie]

To get bumped frequently, you have to always pick the very busiest times ... for example, early Friday evening (when all the business travelers are trying to get home) ... or Easter Sunday afternoon (when all the folks with spring breaks around Easter are trying to get home.) Of course, by doing that, you are committing to being at airports when they are an absolute zoo.

Also, this should go without saying, but if you are TRYING to get bumped, either plan to carry on all your luggage, or put a lot of thought into what you put in your carry on, because you may well be spending the night somewhere without your luggage.

 

[SamSam]

That's nice to know. Dh and I are almost always 'agreeable' to being bumped, but it hasn't happened for quite some time. For us, it's a great way to cut our costs on future vacations.

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

you go girl!!

 

[adambreakey]

Just an FYI - SouthWest does overbook... I have been fortunate enough to get three free flights this way from them during the past year alone.

So, book during the busy time -- get free tix we have become experts at this form of travel.

My father works for USAirways (he has been with the company since 1967!) -- anyway, he has helped me many times to find the busiest travel dates/times, and therfore, the most likely times to get bumped on several different airlines... the easiest for me is Delta and United... followed by USAirways and Southwest. I would say when trying I get a free ticket about 50-75% of the time!

anyway... good luck

adamb

 

[Blondiex46]

how do you do this just tell them when you check in?

 

[missypie]

You put yourself on the list when you check in. (Of course, if the flight is not full, there won't be a list.) If you are traveling with children, you have to be very emphatic that you WANT to be bumped, because normally they will do everything they can to avoid bumping people traveling with kids.