Despite airlines promises of reducing overbooking and asking for volunteers to give up seats, getting bumped from a flight still happens. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, over 200,000 flyers have been denied boarding in the first six months of 2017 – or approximately five per 100,000 passengers aboard an aircraft.
Those who travel aboard low-cost or regional carriers seem to be the most at risk: Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines and regional carriers ExpressJet Airlines and SkyWest Airlines (often flying as an extension of a bigger carrier) all exceeded the national average of 0.52 involuntary denials per 100,000 passengers boarded.
When flights get overbooked and gate agents start asking for passengers to volunteer, is it possible to get rewarded for giving up your seat? By understanding how overbooking works and the protections extended to flyers, you can cash in on that ticket. Here’s how you can make a boarding denial work in your favor.
Be Flexible in Your Travel Plans
For many of us, flying direct aboard one carrier is not an option. Instead, we are often forced to connect on a smaller aircraft before getting to a mainline flight. With this in mind, smart travelers often plan their travels with some flexibility in mind.
By planning for a trip with room to shift flights by a day, or the ability to take later flights, travelers can easily volunteer for travel vouchers and hotel rooms if flights become overbooked. Some airlines, including United Airlines, now ask for volunteers during the check-in process, allowing flyers extra time to determine if they can switch their flights in exchange for a travel voucher towards a future flight.
Be Willing to Volunteer, But Hold Out for More
There comes a time prior to boarding where gate agents begin seeking volunteers to give up their seats due to overbooked flights. The offer may begin low, but may increase as the number of volunteers are finalized.
As a matter of habit, I have always been the first to volunteer when the request for volunteers begins – even if the offer is low. If the number does not increase, I can always withdraw my request and board the flight. When it does go up, I always maintain some access to the gate desk, just to make sure I’m getting the most they can offer. Patience and persistence often result in good things for the volunteering flyer!
In one situation coming back from London via Washingon, D.C., a late-night flight was severely overbooked. At $200, I volunteered to give up my seat – but did not necessarily give up my ticket right away. When the offer exceeded $500, I gladly handed over my ticket, for a brief overnight hotel stay and assurance I would get on the next flight home.
Always Ask for More
Giving up one’s seat is not an easy decision to make, especially after a long day of travel. When it comes to agreeing to be booked, there is no shame in asking for a little more, or being willing to do something in exchange for extra.
Once on a short flight home, my gate agents were not only having problems finding volunteers, but were annoyed by a shop playing loud music across from their gate. In addition to giving up my seat, I wrote a note to the terminal manager about the poor experience at the request of the gate agents. As a token of thanks, not only did I get an extra $100 on my flight voucher, but also received additional vouchers for food as well.
However, this tactic may not always work so well. In another example, I was offered compensation to give up my seat flying from New York back home, on the condition I transfer from John F. Kennedy International Airport to LaGuardia International Airport. When the airline wouldn’t cover my transfer between airports, I politely declined the compensation.
A Note About Trip Delay and Travel Insurance
When deciding whether or not to give up a seat, many travelers also consider travel insurance in the equation as well. What many may not realize that travel insurance doesn’t always cover trip delay if the traveler gives up their seat.
Because the traveler is willingly accepting compensation in exchange for their flight and the trip delay, a travel insurance policy will often not pay out any additional claim in regards to the delay. Before accepting a voluntary bump, be sure you know all of your protections and options.
While overbooked flights can create frustrations for the flyer, they also come with some opportunity. By knowing how to make the most of them, any opportunity to volunteer a seat can come with a miniature payday as well, with the opportunity to see even more of the world.
How do you make the most from being bumped off a flight? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com
Written by Frugal Travel Guy @ http://www.frugaltravelguy.com