Getting bumped:                                           Back

Why would you want to get bumped off of your flight?

Airlines routinely over-book flights in order to make sure that (After cancellations) they are still flying full planes. If there are not enough cancellations they have to bump some passengers. It's a gamble they take to ensure maximum profit, but why would you want to be one of those passengers?

1. As long as your not pressed for time take a bump.

1A. The airlines are compelled by law to compensate anyone they have to bump due to

overbooking. This does not apply to delayed or cancelled flights.

1B.  The compensation could be as high as a 100% free ticket

1C. the airlines are required by law to fly you out on the next available flight.

1D. If the next flight has open seats in first class they will usually place you there.

1E. If that flight is not till the next day, they may pay hotel expenses, give you meal

vouchers, etc. Ask when you offer your seat what the airline policy is if you will

have to wait more then a couple of  hours for your flight.

2. How do I get bumped?

2A. Make your reservations on a flight that is almost booked.

2AI. You can check with the airline when you make your reservations to see what

percentage of seats are still available.

2B. Make reservations for flights on prime flying days. Friday evening is a good time.

as is Monday morning. On my courier flight to the Singapore (Because of a Major

holiday on Japan.) the flight was overbooked. I couldn't, for obvious reasons,

request a bump. It turned out I would have been better off to have paid full fare for

that flight. Not only would I have been compensated well but the flight I was on was

so crowded that I had to sit up all the way to Japan. (I usually take two or three seats

and sleep through the majority of my trip.) I've yet to suffer Jet lag.

2C.  Get to the terminal early & if you notice a crowd building immediately ask at

registration desk if they may need your seat (Don't wait for a better deal as there

will probably be other travelers waiting for the opportunity to do just what you are

trying to do.)

2D.  Book on Smaller airplanes 727/37s etc. not on Jumbo jets.

2E.  Charter flights, Commuter flights & Inbound flights to the U. S. are presently exempt

from compensations.

3.  Luggage.

3A. If your luggage has already been checked ask at reservations if it will be unloaded

and if it will be, where you'll have to pick it up./ or if it will be transferred to your

subsequent flight/ or will you pick it up at your original destination & if so where.

So if you have time and love to travel "GET BUMPED."

More Information Here & Here & Here

Also see  Overbooking