Just got bumped

[geniegirl]

Flying down for a short anniversary trip today and just got bumped. Got 4 free tickets that we can use in January .

Might have to price out a moderate hotel now since we don't have to pay for flights. Super excited.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Were you really bumped? Or did you just volunteer to take a later flight in return for some type of airline vouchers?

If you were actually bumped -- involuntarily denied confirmed seats due to an overbooked flight -- then you are entitled to money, not just free ticket vouchers or other airline vouchers.

 

[geniegirl]

Hmmm didn't know there was a difference.

No we volunteered. They over booked and a lady with 3 young kids ready to see Mickey couldn't get on so they asked and since we are flying without our kids we took the offer.

Too good to pass up. 4 free flights, 1st class upgrade today, and a lunch voucher.

Really helps with our budget for January.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'm glad it worked out well for for you. Enjoy your January vacation!

Bumping is rare, especially on leisure routes, because there are usually passengers willing to accept airline vouchers.

Here's a CNN article about bumping and proper compensation: http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/04/travel/flight-bumping-tips.

The article is from 2011, so it's now somewhat obsolete. For example, airlines now tend to offer far fewer seats for free advance seat assignment, so the comments about a lack of unassigned seats being a red flag is less valid today than in 2011.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Bumps are great.
We always ask to be put on the bump list and the last two times we flew into Tampa we have gotten bumps ron SWA. On got bumped in TPA and put on a connecting flight through Chicago and we got bumped there as well. Its so nice coming home from vacation knowing I need to plan our next vacation because of bump money. And if you plan it right you can take two trips using the bump money. I am holding out on booking our next trip because SWA will be having there Birthday sale in a few weeks which usually mean flights as low as $40 each way!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Bumps are great.

Actually, bumps are awful. It means that you needed to get to your destination, but you weren't allowed onto the flight (because there weren't enough volunteers).

Volunteering can be great. By agreeing to fly a few hours later or on another airline, it's sometimes possible receive enough compensation to pay for flights for a future vacation.

 

[DebbieB]

Hmmm didn't know there was a difference.

No we volunteered. They over booked and a lady with 3 young kids ready to see Mickey couldn't get on so they asked and since we are flying without our kids we took the offer.

Too good to pass up. 4 free flights, 1st class upgrade today, and a lunch voucher.

Really helps with our budget for January.

That's a great deal!

There is a difference between voluntary and involuntary. I was on a flight 3 or 4 years ago going to Houston where the plane was overweight by 2 people. The surprising thing is it was a 737, not a small plane. The pilot announced that we were going to have to go around bad weather and they had to load more fuel. We were already seated on the plane, the gate agent came on and asked for 2 volunteers with an offer of free tickets & the next flight out in a few hours. I was meeting people in Houston for work so I didn't volunteer. No one volunteered. So he came back with the names of 2 people who were last to check-in and escorted them off the plane.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Make sure you read the vouchers carefully as most have some restrictions, etc. Book as early as possible to get the best options.

Cash is always a better compensation idea when it comes to airlines.

 

[sssteele]

Hmmm didn't know there was a difference.

No we volunteered. They over booked and a lady with 3 young kids ready to see Mickey couldn't get on so they asked and since we are flying without our kids we took the offer.

Too good to pass up. 4 free flights, 1st class upgrade today, and a lunch voucher.

Really helps with our budget for January.

Which airport were you flying from in PA?

 

[geniegirl]

We flew out of pittsburgh.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Actually, bumps are awful. It means that you needed to get to your destination, but you weren't allowed onto the flight (because there weren't enough volunteers).

 

[mikegood2]

Got nervous when I saw this thread just before bed because I though it would create nightmares, remembering our 2011 flights to Disney. It was during the United/Continental merger and both our flights, without notification, were changed. Lost our seat arrangements, flight times were worse and originally didn't receive any compensation. After some complaining I believe we were compensated a total of $75 dollars for the five of us. What made it even worse is we almost booked the flight we ended up with for $25 a ticket less, but opted for the better time. So we still got that flight but lost money and seat assignment in the process.

Well I think I better call my brother tomorrow and have him verify that our June flights haven't changed.

 

[keishashadow]

We flew out of pittsburgh.

congrats, they must be running 'fuller' planes last year or so, we had a couple of opportunities when flying to MCO. Unfortunately, the next flight wasn't until late afternoon both times (which would've meant cooling heels at airport for anywhere from 6 - 8 hours from time we arrived) so we passed.

 

[lynn71092]

Bumps are great.
We always ask to be put on the bump list and the last two times we flew into Tampa we have gotten bumps ron SWA. On got bumped in TPA and put on a connecting flight through Chicago and we got bumped there as well. Its so nice coming home from vacation knowing I need to plan our next vacation because of bump money. And if you plan it right you can take two trips using the bump money. I am holding out on booking our next trip because SWA will be having there Birthday sale in a few weeks which usually mean flights as low as $40 each way!

Does anyone know when The Birthday Sale will be?