If flight is oversold, who gets involuntary bumped first?

[dudspizza]

Our flight yesterday was oversold by 5 seats. They asked for volunteers and offered 2 round trip tickets each to the vols. I could not offer since I had kids at home with a grandmother waiting to leave for her home 3 hours away.

My question, if no volunteers came forward, who would have been bumped first? I had two thoughts. One would be by the class of fare with the lowest class getting bumped first. The other thought was by when you checked in for the flight with the last check ins being bumped. Is it either of these, a combination of the two, or something else?

This was on Airtran.

Thanks for easing my curiosity.

Duds

 

[safetymom]

The last to check in or those with no seat assignments.

 

[dudspizza]

The last to check in or those with no seat assignments.

So this would be a case for checking in online then........

Duds

 

[safetymom]

Yes.

 

[CarolA]

Not always. ...

If the last to check in was a full fare Y business traveler with lots of miles in the airlines FF program, they don't always get bumped first... There are some other rules depending on the airline. Delta for example, RARELY bumps it's top tier flyers on costly tickets no matter what!

 

[seashoreCM]

, who would have been bumped first? I had two thoughts. One would be by the class of fare with the lowest class getting bumped first. The other thought was by when you checked in for the flight with the last check ins being bumped. Is it either of these, a combination of the two, or something else?

You are generally correct. Some airlines introduce a third variable, passengers who are very frequent flyers with an airline may be less likely to be bumped involuntarily and also more likely to be chosen for voluntary bumps. The exact formula varies from one airline to another.

"Round trip" bump vouchers often have severe restrictions on usage noften including unusability when all the "cheap" seats or all the "award" seats on a given flight are already gone. For this reason experienced travlers prefer "dollar value" or "dollars off" vouchers. If you are involuntarily bumped the airline must pay compensation in cash if you want.

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[RachelEllen]

And sometimes it seems completely random. My bf got bumped two months ago from an airline on which he had gold status.

 

[safetymom]

As with everything else with the airlines it may differ from agent to agent, airport to airport. The best thing is to check in early and make sure you have a seat assignment. Those arriving at the gate at the last minute are likely to have problems if the flight is oversold.

Yes it can get down to your status, the type of fare you booked.

 

[seashoreCM]

Ah yes, there is a fourth variable, on some airlines, not succeeding in getting or keeping a seat assignment may increase the chance of being bumped.

 

[Lewisc]

As with everything else with the airlines it may differ from agent to agent, airport to airport. The best thing is to check in early and make sure you have a seat assignment. Those arriving at the gate at the last minute are likely to have problems if the flight is oversold.

Yes it can get down to your status, the type of fare you booked.

It shouldn't. Each airline has a "contract of carriage" which lists the rules. If you think your flight is overbooked you might print the relevant section. First group to get bumped are passengers which aren't in the gate area when required, probably 10 or 15 minutes before the flight. Those passengers aren't even entitled to any compensation, technically they weren't bumped but are "no shows".

 

[dudspizza]

It shouldn't. Each airline has a "contract of carriage" which lists the rules. If you think your flight is overbooked you might print the relevant section. First group to get bumped are passengers which aren't in the gate area when required, probably 10 or 15 minutes before the flight. Those passengers aren't even entitled to any compensation, technically they weren't bumped but are "no shows".

That brings in a whole other thing.... the flight next to us kept calling for 9 passengers who were not in the gate area. They called 3-4 times and finally closed the door. Right after they closed the door, a man came SLOWLY strolling up with his briefcase and was talking on the phone.... he made the entire plane wait..... and they let him on the plane......

Duds

 

[safetymom]

I have seen lots of things happen while sitting in airports across the country. Yes there are rules and procedures but I have seen them applied differently.

I just read on Flyer Talk this morning where 9 passengers got to the gate and they wouldn't let them on the plane. The plane was still there.

 

[dudspizza]

I just read on Flyer Talk this morning where 9 passengers got to the gate and they wouldn't let them on the plane. The plane was still there.

The gate agent was being really nice for Airtran. He walked out into the aisle a couple of times asking down the corridor if anyone was going to Pittsburgh.... This guy got on because they must not have closed the door to the plane yet... what got me was that he strolled up like he was in no hurry.... really disrespectful to everyone on the plane.

I could see if you were late due to a connecting flight, but this was the first flight in the am with no connections to it...

Duds

 

[mtrak17]

I'm guessing the airlines are less likely to bump those who have connecting flights AFTER the flight from which they get bumped (assuming timely arrival at the airport, etc.)? I would think the airlines would try to avoid rescheduling passengers for connecting flights? Just thinking...