So I have a bump voucher that my husband got that we are trying to use (I know, I know, I will never accept one of these again). We are flexible with our departure airport (either Newark or Philly) and we want to go to Seattle. We are very flexible with our dates, we can travel literally anytime in the next few months and would like to stay between 5 and 8 days, and every time I call, I get told their is no availability.

I have used the tip of looking on usairways.com award travel website and looked for mileage saver class award travel that is available in the next few months and there are plenty of seats available, but when I try to book those dates over the phone I get told they aren't available, and neither are any other dates.

Part of the problem is that I can't seem to get a native english speaker on the phone. Everytime I call it is quite evident that I am speaking to someone in another country who is just not all that helpful due to the language barrier. Is there another number I should call or a specific time of day to get a rep in the US?

I have heard on these boards that you can use the voucher in person at the airport, is this true? We happen to be taking someone to the airport on Monday, would this be our best bet?

I have also heard that you can exchange the voucher for a $200 voucher instead, how do you do this? Is that $200 voucher good on any flight?

I am a SAHM to a 5 month old baby and have a hard time spending hours on the phone with people who can't help me, so I need your help!
Thanks.

So I have a bump voucher that my husband got that we are trying to use (I know, I know, I will never accept one of these again). We are flexible with our departure airport (either Newark or Philly) and we want to go to Seattle. We are very flexible with our dates, we can travel literally anytime in the next few months and would like to stay between 5 and 8 days, and every time I call, I get told their is no availability.

I have used the tip of looking on usairways.com award travel website and looked for mileage saver class award travel that is available in the next few months and there are plenty of seats available, but when I try to book those dates over the phone I get told they aren't available, and neither are any other dates.

Part of the problem is that I can't seem to get a native english speaker on the phone. Everytime I call it is quite evident that I am speaking to someone in another country who is just not all that helpful due to the language barrier. Is there another number I should call or a specific time of day to get a rep in the US?

I have heard on these boards that you can use the voucher in person at the airport, is this true? We happen to be taking someone to the airport on Monday, would this be our best bet?

I have also heard that you can exchange the voucher for a $200 voucher instead, how do you do this? Is that $200 voucher good on any flight?

I am a SAHM to a 5 month old baby and have a hard time spending hours on the phone with people who can't help me, so I need your help!
Thanks.

You may have to call many times before reaching someone who can help.
It is unfortunate reality that the main reservation number often gets you to someone who you can't hardly understand and who does not know how to work the system for you. Ask for supervisors, call back often, etc. If mileage saver awards show availability on the web site, they should be able to book a voucher for those seats.

I don't know that you can trade in the flight coupon now for $200. That is sometimes given instead of the coupon if they can't convince someone to take a coupon for giving up their seat.

Once you book the flight on the phone, you have to go the airport to turn in the coupon in person (Yeah - this is a real modern, efficient system isn't it?). I suppose you could try booking the flight in person at the airport, but I don't think the Ticket Agents will have much time or patience for helping you with that - they are trying to get passengers checked in for departing flights and are stretched thin as it is. If you were there at a quiet time you might get lucky. Larger airports have a Special Services desk for this kind of thing, but that is after security so that wouldn't work if you don't have a boarding pass already.