Questions about being bumped

[Mom+4]

I have noticed that my DS's flight (he is 18 and flying alone) on the way down to Florida has been completely booked for at least 3 weeks, so I imagine there is a good possibility that he could be bumped. If that were to happen, would he automatically be put on the next flight (which arrives about 2 hours later), or would he be put on standby for that flight (which also appears to be nearly sold out)? Is there any guarantee that he would get on a flight that day, or might he have to wait and wait? Also, would they only try to get him on the same airline (Delta) or might they put him on another carrier? Also, should he volunteer to be bumped as soon as he gets to the gate, and exactly what should he say?

I know that being bumped is kind of a "luck of the draw" matter, but he will be starting college next fall, and it would be very nice to have some kind of airline credit for him to use to visit us once in a while.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[sc2001]

I am certainly no expert on this, but I believe that if you volunteer to be bumped you make the best possible deal you can - if lots of people are volunteering the deal won't be as good. If he does volunteer he should make sure he is put on the next flight - NOT the next available flight (in that case he would be waiting til there is an open seat). Sometimes they offer cash, and sometimes they offer a free flight voucher - you have to wait and see what is offered. If he does want to be bumped he should get to the gate early and let them know right away that he wants to be considered if they are looking for volunteers to be bumped.

 

[seashoreCM]

When they ask for volunteers, or even if you volunteer before they ask, they will tell you what kind of flight they will give you as well as what kind of voucher.

On another thread here, someone reported getting something like $1000. in vouchers (per person) plus three nights' lodging because the earliest reservation was that far away.

I overheard one party as I was leaving Boston, they said they accepted $500. per person for vouchers in the morning plus just standby. They did get on the next flight, three hours later.

You can just tell your DS what kind of bump offer to accept, or you can tell him to use his own judgment. All he needs to do is ask if they haven't asked for volunteers first. Being the first one to the gate agent enhances the chances. If, should he ask first, they offer something insufficient, he simply says no thanks and they give him (back) his boarding pass and take the next person in line. It is possible they may ask again, raising the ante.

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