Contents:

Airfare Guide-

-Get Bumped! -Freq. Flyer Guide -Free Miles Listing -Airline Contacts

Hotel Guide
Cruise Guide

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Bargaineering's Guide to Getting Bumped!

The coveted bump. It's the best of the bonuses of flying that you will ever see. The idea driving this possibility is that airlines will always oversell a flight because people cancel flights all the time. When they don't, there will be a group of individuals who won't be able to get on the flight and will have to be reimbursed for it. On average, 20 of 1000 will get voluntarily or involuntarily bumped . This guide will help you get bumped and be rewarded handsomely for it.

Step 1: Flight Selection

More Layovers, More Chances: If you pick a non-stop flight, you will get two chances to get bumped: once going there, once returning. If you pick a flight with one layover each way, you get four chances at being bumped. You start to get the idea, the more legs, the more chances you have of being on an oversold leg.
Popular Flights: This aspect you won't have much of a choice with because where you start and where you end up will be usually set in stone. But, where you stop in the middle may not be. Pick popular hubs as layover points (layovers usually stop in popular hubs by nature of the hub-and-spoke architecture of airline plans) and you will get a better chance of being bumped.
Timing: Spring Break, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, and other holidays are the best times because flights are packed.

Step 2: Check In

Preparation: Bring the things you think you will need in your carryon in the event you are bumped and had to stay a night like your toothbrush or contact lens stuff. Being prepared means you won't be uncomfortable. In addition to toiletries, bring a schedule so if you do get bumped, you can tell them which flight you want (instead of taking their suggestion).
Check In Early: Check in early, they say 90 minutes early, get to the gate early, and ask if the flight is oversold. If they say yes, ask to be put on the list of individuals willing to give up their seat. If you're the first person in line, if there is a bumping opportunity, you'll get it.
Be Polite: Attendants take a lot of grief from all sorts of people. If you're nice to them, they'll be nice to you.

Step 3: Got an offer, take it?

This is usually a split second decision because a lot of people want to get bumped. Survey the alternative travel plans they offer (is the next flight in a couple hours or noon the next day?) and the reimbursement they offer. Sometimes they will offer a night in a hotel if the flight is the next day. If you have more than a two hour delay, ask for some extras like a meal voucher or a calling card or free admission into the airline's special club. More often than not if you're nice, they'll hook you up.

EaseOf Tip: By the rules established by the U.S. Department of Transportation, if you are involuntarily bumped and the alternate flight arrives within one hour of your original arrival time, you are entitled to nothing. If the delay is between one and two hours late, you are entitled to $200 cash. If more than two hours, you are entitled to $400 cash. Remember this when you get an offer of a free ticket and use it as a benchmark.

A warning about the offers... a free round-trip ticket and a free $300 voucher are two totally different creatures. A round-trip ticket voucher may have blackout dates or other restrictions (such as only the same type of seat as you gave up, coach for coach) while dollar amount vouchers are more flexible. Read the fine print and, of course, ask the gate attendant, they will usually be thankful for not having to deal with the hassle of involuntarily bumping someone.
Worse comes to worse, get on the flight, enjoy your trip and maybe you'll get bumped next time.

EaseOf Tip: Usually when you get the ticket voucher or dollar voucher, that flight's miles also count towards your frequent flyer miles total. Take advantage of the "double bonus" benefits of being bumped!

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