Getting bumped on purpose?
 

As some of you know I'm going to boise in a week (yes I said I wasn't ,but the money's already spent, and at least this way I'll know). Anyway, while looking to see if there was any way to get upgraded to first class for free or cheap I ran across some articles about getting bumped voluntarily. It looks pretty lucrative,, but I wanted to know if anyone here any experience with it. The cash or free tix could really come in handy.

Here's an article about it, if anyone doesn't know what I'm talking about:
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...mpingGame.aspx

I've already checked my flights and my flight from LaGuardia to Boise is almost booked full. I'm thinking about offering to be voluntarily bumped. As it stands I will be on a plane from 8:30 am EST (which means I'll have be up at 4:00am) until midnight mountain time. so over 18 hrs in an airport or on a plane. I will be looking like crud by the time I meet Andrew. If I got bumped in LGA, then I would have to spend the night there, and get the next flight in the morning- which means a good nights sleep, a chance to freshen up, a night in NYC, AND either a free roundtrip ticket OR a couple hundred bucks.

Just wanted to know if anyone had any "bump" experience they could share?

I'm no help, but I'm going to bump this for you cause I'm sure someone here can help you! Good luck!

Thanks Megan!

ANYONE???

As of right now there are only 6 spots left... and 4 of those are in first class. Maybe at the very least they'll be kind enough to bump me up to first class so I can at least have some dinner, lol.

I've seen the bump take place on a couple of flights, although I have never done it myself. Most of the time what has happened is the person accepts the offer and then it turns out they don't need to actually do it and parties end up getting separated (and they lose out on the offer).

Since you are by yourself (and assuming that you aren't particular about sitting in a certain area of the place or seat location), I guess you could hope on it happening but I wouldn't count on it.

ETA: Upon checking in at the counter, you could request to be upgraded to first class. I've seen that happen on an occasion or two but, again, I wouldn't count on it happening.

My sister and BIL took advantage of this offer and they received a voucher for dinner, 2 round trip tickets anywhere in the continental us and were put on the next flight and even ended up in first class.

I think it is usually when they have overbooked the flight! They ask someone to wait untill the next flight- and you fly free! Something like that- depends on the airline, also!

They usually will only take your offer to relinquish your seat if the flight is oversold. And then it depends on how oversold exactly what they offer. You always have a much better chance of getting bumped if you are in a party of two or more rather than a single, but you never know.

I've done this twice - once on a flight from Phoenix to Detroit, just myself. Spent 2 additional hours in the airport for a $400 voucher. The second time was with hubby and kids on a flight from Miami to Detroit. We were supposed to get on a flight 3 hours later than ended up delayed due to weather for over 9 hours and then it was a horrendous flight. But, we got $1200 in vouchers - so it paid for the next Hawaii flights for the hubby and I.

Good luck!!!

We recently flew to LV through SouthWest. On our return in Chicago, the flight was overbooked. They offered to refund your original cost + $200 and would get you out on the next flight. We would have flown free. :rolleyes: Still kicking ourselves for not volunteering, but our daughter was with us and she had to get back. We noticed all flights were Full everywhere it seemed. Of course this was during Spring Break. By the looks at the airports, business is booming.

I read on one site that after you have the voucher, and find out they don't need you after all that you get to keep it, but I'm sure that depends on the airline.

I'm not sure pecuilar about where I sit. I did try to pick good spots, but pretty much all of coach suck anyway. I'll try to get upgraded if nothing else. I've heard dressing business like helps get the bump to first class.

very nice! I would love a free round trip ticket! Its sooo expensive to fly!

wow, sounds good(well except the weather delay!). Good to know someone has some personal experience with it and it has actually worked. I'm hoping since its the last flight for the night to Boise, everyone will be ready to get home and not volunteer to be bumped, so I will have a better chance if they need volunteers.

Oh, it must have been hard not to volunteer for such a great deal! I saw on the news yesterday something about a lot flights in the next few days being cancelled b/c Delta was voluntarily checking somethiing out. (can't remember what, I was half asleep watching the news!)

Delta and American both have cancelled alot of flights for inspections (I didn't quite understand why it came to having to ground so many at one time) I can say my sister and BIL have done this a few times and so has my nephew without problems.

woohoo! I just checked seatcounter.com and my flight reads all ZEROS, which means they are more than likely overbooked! Looks like I might get the bump! :D