In the past I have discussed airline bumping, when an airline pays a volunteer to take a later flight because they have overbooked the original one. This subject also pops up on gambling forums because gamblers often fly to casino destinations.
A friend on one forum who has worked at airline jobs for many years gave some interesting and helpful insight into this subject that she has given me permission to share with my readers:
According to the new DOT (Dept of Transportation) regulations, if an airline cannot get a “volunteer” and must deny boarding to a customer who had a reservation, they have to pay them double what they paid for their ticket in cash up to $650 ($1300 international)–depending on time delay before their rebooked flight. Therefore, the airlines are not overbooking flights like they used to. In fact, many are booking even–risking going with empty seats rather than having to “pay” to deny someone boarding. So if you’re a “bumper” you may not find as many opportunities available in the future compared to your past experience.
If you MUST be somewhere and you’re flying–GO THE DAY PRIOR!!! You never know what might happen or how weather or other problems in other parts of the country can affect you and the plane you’re scheduled to fly on.
Also, if you are going to “volunteer” to take a bump, by all means get your name on the volunteer list at the gate as soon as possible. Sometimes it MAY pay to wait and volunteer at the gate when the agent is “desperate” (ie–higher dollar vouchers) but then you risk others getting ahead of you.
Another thing – one that became more obvious during Hurricane Sandy — airlines would rather cancel a flight ahead of time rather than risk a tarmac delay which incurs large fines.
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You can read more about the new DOT regs here and also here.
Also there are many practical hints and details about the airplane bump in my first book, The Frugal Gambler, where I devote a whole chapter to this subject, one of Brad’s and my favorite money-making tactics!
Before we had our son, my wife and I loved using the bump. We have seen my wife relatives in Oklahoma (we live in Cal.) numerous times because of the bump and we used bump money to pay for our tickets to Reno for our first anniversary….where we stayed at the Reno Hilton.
I am a Delta Diamond and Two million Miler who regularly volunteers for overbooked flights. I have also noticed that there have been fewer opportunities in the past two years. Each airline handles things a bit differently and no, my status does NOT give me preference when volunteering, it is on a first come, first serve basis.
If you are involuntarily bumped that is one thing, there are clear rules. Sometimes there will be a mechanical issue and a flight gets cancelled so the airline has to route passengers through many different connecting airports to get everyone to their destination. That is when a flight becomes overbooked, if you volunteer to give up your seat and your flight delay is less than 4 hours Delta gives you meal vouchers and $400, $600 if it is over four hours. I don’t volunteer my international flights so I don’t know their policy.
I usually book a free travel day heading home, just in case this happens. Then I have vouchers for me! In the past I have taken trips to Hawaii, first class, just on vouchers! How is that for a little inconvenience?
Hope this info helps!