I wanna be "bumped"

[Belle1962]

I've been keeping tabs on the price of my August flight, when yesterday the Delta site wouldn't pull up the flight I have on Aug 25 (return home). I panicked and called the airline and was told my reservation is still for the 5:25 pm flight. When I mentioned to the agent that the website was no longer showing that flight, she told me it has probably been pulled because it is full. YIPEEEEEE!!!!! I'd love to volunteer to be bumped and catch the next flight home (5:50 pm). Other than being at the airport early and getting my name put on the list first, any other hints or tips to possibley help in getting bumped?

 

[Beckles]

I wouldn't get your hopes up ... your flight is sold out in coach, not the entire flight. That flight is on one of Delta's new 767-400's which have 36 First Class seats, and currently the First Class cabin on that flight is only 25% full, leaving 27 empty seats up there yet to be filled ...

 

[Beckles]

Actually, I just checked something else and there are coach seats available on that flight too, just not the cheapest ones.

Anyway, don't mean to bring you down, I just wouldn't cut your vacation short to arrive at the airport early in hopes of getting bumped if I were you.

 

[Belle1962]

Bummer----oh well at least I'm going to WDW

Hey--has anyone ever been bumped UP into First Class?

 

[Chuck S]

Several years ago on a Delta flight. We had met friends from California in Orlando, and were scheduled to fly with them to ATL to change planes. Our ATL flight was cancelled, they were put on a non-stop to LAX, and were routed thru DFW. We were bumped to first class all the way, and our tickets were like $140 r/t. When things like that happen it is a nice surprise. Don't expect anything out of the ordinary, then if you do get something it makes it more special.

 

[BuzzMe]

We weren't bumped up to first class but ...We had a return flight booked on Delta for New Years's day this past Jan. Due to bad weather and talk of strikes there were awful flight delays and cancellations. We had never been able to take advantage of bumping opportunities in the past due to work schedules,etc. but this time we had free time. We ended up staying in Orlando for 3 extra days( 2 suites at Amerisuites paid for by airlines),received $4000 in travel vouchers, and a free meal. We just used some of our voucher loot for another trip to WDW. We were hoping to be bumped again this past trip as I also was lead to believe our flight was full, but this was not the case. Oh well, we can always hope for next time!

 

[danacara]

Beckles, I'm not sure how you did that, but can you please check on the status of my Delta flights? I'd love to be bumped too. I'm booked on Delta Express 2475 on 8/11/01, and returning on Delta Express 2468 on 8/16/01. Thanks!

 

[Beckles]

Originally posted by danacara
Beckles, I'm not sure how you did that, but can you please check on the status of my Delta flights? I'd love to be bumped too. I'm booked on Delta Express 2475 on 8/11/01, and returning on Delta Express 2468 on 8/16/01. Thanks!

I just used the booking engine on the Delta homepage at http://www.delta.com . To make sure it's not just the cheap seats that are sold, select "Coach (Unrestricted)" instead of the usual "Coach (Restricted)".

Your best bet for getting bumped into First (or Business as some of the DL planes to/from MCO operate with) is to not have a seat assignment before the flight and unlike when trying to get bumped off the flight, checking in as late as possible so there are no coach seats to assign you. Folks get "bumped" into first usually because there are no coach seats left to assign them. However, this is risky at best because of various factors (including elite level FF's who will upgrade at the last minute and open up coach seats for you to get assigned, but in that case they are usually *good* coach seats ... but you could also end up with middle seats).

 

[Beckles]

BTW, the same strategy for getting bumped into first is also your best bet for an *involuntary* bump.

Say you do those things and you don't have a seat assignment and you hear them asking for volunteers. If they need a few volunteers and you can resist and hope for a big prize, *don't volunteer*. Folks who don't have seat assignments are usually the ones involuntarilly bumped. The thing about an involuntary bump is that you can ask for the compensation in CASH instead of vouchers. They will likely offer you vouchers, but they have to give you the compensation in CASH if you ask for it as such.

 

[ducklite]

I've been "Bumped" to first or business many times. The tricks are:

Get there early and be extremely pleasant to the agents. I've gone as far as offering to get one agent who seemed to be having a bad day a cup of coffee or tea

Dress nicely. No jeans, sweats, shorts, etc.

Have a frequent flier status on that carrier. The more miles you fly with them every year, the better your chances.

Be a solo traveller. Your chances of an upgrade when it's just you are far higher.

Anne

 

[SJCSuzy]

They will likely offer you vouchers, but they have to give you the compensation in CASH if you ask for it as such.

This is true, but the amount they offer you in cash will be less. It is half of your rt fare. I would ask the agent how much the voucher would be and see which one is better. Good luck.