How do you end up getting bumped???

[DisOrBust]

Our return flight is booked solid so I am thinking this is a possiblity. Do you want this to happen? If they ask for volunteers could you call ahead of time to see instead going all the way to the airport? What is your experience.

TIA,Sue

 

[Jestocost]

Sometimes I want it to happen, sometimes I don't. If I'm traveling alone and can get on a later flight at a reasonable time, I'm more than happy to take the credits and hang out. If I'm traveling with someone else--especially kids--or would have to wait an extend time for another flight, probably not.

However you look at it, getting there early is key. You're more likely to be able to take advantage of a bump if you get on the volunteer list first. If you get there late, you risk getting an involuntary bump.

You'll only be able to get the offer at the gate itself. They never know if they'll need the seats until they see who actually shows up for the flight.

 

[dvc guy]

We flew SONG out of MCO on 1/2 and they announced that the flight was full , but never asked for anyone to get off.
After we had boarded and were seated, the station manager got on the intercom and begged for people to take the next flight. No one moved till the 3rd plea. At that point we could no longer pass on the offer, a flight 2 hours later and $250 per person. Since the original flight was now already 15 minutes late and was not ready to leave, I think we got home about 1 hour later the the original flight.

 

[safetymom]

You would have to do this at the airport. This is something that you can't do over the phone. Get there early and volunteer to be bumped.

 

[Geoff_M]

Also stay near the gate agents if you suspect they might ask for volunteers. On a return trip home one time they asked for volunteers over the PA, but we couldn't get to the desk fast enough.

 

[seashoreCM]

Ask the gate agent if volunteers are needed before he picks up the mike to ask for volunteers.

As far as not going to the airport, airlines have been known to telephone passengers the night before and ask if those passengers would be willing to take a different flight, without compensation. This greatly reduces the chance of scoring a voluntary bump for those who try to get on the volunteer list. Therefore if you should ever get such a midnight phone call, you should make it clear you are not committing to a different flight "now", the exact words to say after that depend on the excuse they give for asking you to switch flights.

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

 

[lodgelady]

We had ressies on United that we made thru Sidestep for the busy spring break period 2 years ago. We had booked early and shopped around. We paid really reasonable prices for the 4 tickets. On the way down out of Hartford the agent at the gate begged and begged for volunteers. No one wanted to give up their early arrival! Finally they called us up and it became clear that they wanted us to voluntarily give up our seats. They did not offer a good deal as they wanted to DRIVE us to Newark airport and put us on a plane there..probably a 3 1/2 hour drive. We said "no" and made it clear we were not happy. They bumped us off anyway BUT after some wrangling managed to get us connecting flights, plus lunch vouchers and 4 ticket vouchers. It threw off our plans and we spent most of our day at the airport.....on the way back home we had no time constraints and were asked at the gate to give up our seats connecting from Washington Dulles to Hartford. This time we did it gladly and got 4 more lunches and ticket vouchers!

From our experience I would say that your chances of being bumped go up if you:
*Pay a low fare (they can book last minute tix for big bucks and bump you and still make money!)
*travel at peak times
*travel in/out of a smaller airport with more limited flights

Also...if they are asking for volunteers and no one goes up, you can negotiate a better deal!!!

 

[CarolA]

I generally do NOT volunteer early. Lately they have not been offering enough early to make it worthwhile. I am NOT getting off for $50. Pay attention to what is going on. If you volunteer for $100 and they go up, go back to the desk and tell the agent that you want the increased price or your seat!

They can do involuntary boarding denails but I rarely see it.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by lodgelady

From our experience I would say that your chances of being bumped go up if you:
*Pay a low fare (they can book last minute tix for big bucks and bump you and still make money!)
*travel at peak times
*travel in/out of a smaller airport with more limited flights

Also...if they are asking for volunteers and no one goes up, you can negotiate a better deal!!!

The airlines have specific (written) rules on how to hande involuntary bumping. Some airlines do it by when you check in. Some do it based on the fare you pay. I can't find where United lists their rules on their website.

 

[DisneyConvert]

Be aware that the "payment" you all get is in the form of scrip redeemable on that airline only.

IF you are a regular traveler on that airline, and IF you can use the delayed time usefully, and IF you have some certainty of (eventually) getting to your destination by when you need to, THEN it may be worthwhile.

I once held out for a $750 "payment" on an overbooked flight to Chile. The airline gave us a free night at a hotel (their choice) and chits for free meals (only at that hotel) but no rental car or anything perky.

I eventually used part of the "payment" for a flight to California (Disneyland wouldn't you guess!) but most of it was never used because I usually fly a different carrier.

 

[Lewisc]

Try to negotiate, sometimes the script is also redemable through the airlines travel department. You can also use it for hotel, transfers and the like.

Originally posted by DisneyConvert
Be aware that the "payment" you all get is in the form of scrip redeemable on that airline only.

IF you are a regular traveler on that airline, and IF you can use the delayed time usefully, and IF you have some certainty of (eventually) getting to your destination by when you need to, THEN it may be worthwhile.

I once held out for a $750 "payment" on an overbooked flight to Chile. The airline gave us a free night at a hotel (their choice) and chits for free meals (only at that hotel) but no rental car or anything perky.

I eventually used part of the "payment" for a flight to California (Disneyland wouldn't you guess!) but most of it was never used because I usually fly a different carrier.

 

[seashoreCM]

I forgot to say, when you ask about volunteering early, include asking for what the compensation and alternate flight would be, prior to surrencdering your boarding pass. You can even negotiate at that time, but keep in mind that the more you try to negotiate, the more likely the gate agent will choose a different volunteer.

As far as involuntary bumping goes, the airline must pay cash if the customer demands that, although the dollar value of scrip (voucher or free trip ticket) is likely to be more and most likely only the scrip offer would include a hotel room.

I have never observed an instance where less than $100. was offered, usually it is at least $200. and usually there are enough volunteers for $200.

 

[Nebsky]

I work for an airline and can give you an answer..

If the flights are oversold or close to being oversold, we will make an announcement usually 30-45 mins prior to departure during check in procedures and say how much they will offer..

People who are willing to make adjustments to thier sked will come up to the desk and make themselves known to the agent working the flight. Agent will tell them how much the voucher will be good for.

Now say you are 10 seats oversold...only 4 people come up and say they want to be bumped, they will solicit again for volunteers and usually increase the amount. This time another 4 people come up for that price....Those first 4 are also getting that price as well....Ok, so you still need 10 seats and now you are at 8..They will go up to the maximum allowed (believe me..if your getting 350-500, its not going any higher).

If at that point you dont have enough volunteers, they will start denying boarding.

If you are the people that got the vouchers, they will sometimes spring for lunch and put you on the next flight...where you can do it all again if you so choose. Sometimes, they will get you a seat in first class....If your the last departure out, they will put you up in a hotel with breakfast included. Airlines do not give out cash

The airline I work for will not let you call in to get on a volunteer list.

 

[CarolA]

The airlines have specific (written) rules on how to hande involuntary bumping. Some airlines do it by when you check in. Some do it based on the fare you pay. I can't find where United lists their rules on their website.

Most airlines don't publish this. You would have to go to the gate and ask to read the rules. (LONG detailed document!)

Also, it has been my experience on Delta at least that the airlines are trying to "reduce" the amount they give. I have actually seen and heard offers of $50 lately. My figure is $100 per hour. If you can't do that, I am not off.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by CarolA
Most airlines don't publish this. You would have to go to the gate and ask to read the rules. (LONG detailed document!)

Also, it has been my experience on Delta at least that the airlines are trying to "reduce" the amount they give. I have actually seen and heard offers of $50 lately. My figure is $100 per hour. If you can't do that, I am not off.

Carol---Some airlines have the entire contract of carriage in their website (pdf file). The rules are sometimes there. I checked United and they tell you to check in the gate.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I heard of one young gentleman flying from London Heathrow to New York JFK on British Airways. (OK -- this already sounds like an urban legend) His flight was oversold and the airline asked for volunteers -- he agreed, so long as BA put him on the next departing BA flight from LHR-JFK. They agreed to do so -- it just so happened the next departing BA flight was on the Concorde and he arrived in JFK long before his original flight was due to arrive.
Moral of the story -- if your schedule gives you the flexibility and the airline is offering something worthwhile, you may as well take it. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised with the end result.

Neil

 

[ducklite]

We always try to get to the airport early and volunteer. Often we've gotten bumped to first just for being flexible

The less travelers you have in your party the far greater your chancess of getting bumped to first.

Also, we've noticed that they generally do not like bumping anyone (even a voluntary bump) with younger kids off the plane or into first, and they generally will do just about anything to get people to volunteer if the other option is to transport half a party and involuntarily bump the other half, especially if kids are involved.

Anne

 

[crz4mm2]

The one and only time I have ever flown first class (I know, sad isn't it ) was due to oversale of seats. They asked for volunteers to get off the plane. I had to get back home for work reasons (I think they were offering a free ticket AND 200 bucks!) or I would have done it. After a period of time when only two people went forward (I think they were asking for 4 or 5) the flight attendant bent over me and said "would you be willing to fly first class so that we can have this seat for a family ?".... Gee, let me think about it as I am getting up out of my seat and jumping up and down It was great.
I have never been in the situation where I was able to take a bump and get another ticket. BUt I sure would if I could!
Cathy

 

[seashoreCM]

Originally posted by ducklite
Also, we've noticed that they generally do not like bumping anyone (even a voluntary bump) with younger kids off the plane or into first, and they generally will do just about anything to get people to volunteer if the other option is to transport half a party and involuntarily bump the other half, especially if kids are involved.

A two parent family may be able to score some bump vouchers by getting on the volunteer list with one parent first and the other parent last and including in their spiel that they will "accept any number of bumps from one up to the family size and that therefore there will be no unaccompanied children".

On the other hand, if the bump is involuntary they will almost certainly bump the entire family and fly with an empty seat or two, or bend the rules, hide that fact, and bump somebody else.