What happens when you get bumped on a MR? Do they rebook your whole ticket, reroute you to your destination (you lose the miles you would have gotten?) or.... do they give you a bonus check and you get to fly on the next day or something?

never been bumped, never done a pure MR, but here is how I understand it.

No matter what, you should be getting an VDB or IDB voucher for whatever that flight was.
Assuming you're on a single ticket itinerary, they should be rebooking you, and if not, most/all airlines will allow original mileage request if you were rerouted by them. If you're on back to back tickets and a bump forces you to miss another trip, then you're probably SOL. There was a member on here several months ago that was pulled aside on a MR because a DL employee thought it was suspicious and reported it. He missed that flight, and DL was unwilling to put him on anything else for the remaining tickets on his MR, and he was forced to purchase a full fare ticket for that day in order to get himself home.

But in short, being bumped generally means you'll get a voucher and can continue on that same ticket.

what about if you miss a flight on a MR?.... maybe this is the same but maybe someone has a comment

what about if you miss a flight on a MR?.... maybe this is the same but maybe someone has a comment

Only once missed a flight--it was my own fault. That airline (HP) was able to put me on standby for a later flight with different routing so I could still continue the trip.

never been bumped, never done a pure MR, but here is how I understand it.

No matter what, you should be getting an VDB or IDB voucher for whatever that flight was.
Assuming you're on a single ticket itinerary, they should be rebooking you, and if not, most/all airlines will allow original mileage request if you were rerouted by them. If you're on back to back tickets and a bump forces you to miss another trip, then you're probably SOL. There was a member on here several months ago that was pulled aside on a MR because a DL employee thought it was suspicious and reported it. He missed that flight, and DL was unwilling to put him on anything else for the remaining tickets on his MR, and he was forced to purchase a full fare ticket for that day in order to get himself home.

But in short, being bumped generally means you'll get a voucher and can continue on that same ticket.
Not sure which thread about a DL MR gone bad you have in mind. Was it the one about the FBI questioning the FTer and causing him to miss his scheduled flights with DL then screwing the FTer? If so, I think that was an exceptional and unfortunate experience with little bearing on what can expect when bumped (IDB or VDB) in the course of an MR.

Before taking a VDB, I think it advisable to discuss with GA what will happen to the rest of itinerary, that is whether rebooking/rerouting is a certainty rather than mere possibility. And it is a great outcome to be able to skip some segs, get back home earlier then scheduled with less BIS time, and still get all the miles one would have with the original itinerary, but one is taking a chance that they will get those miles in the end, even if the GA promises it.

When I get bumped on a MR I get really happy. As itsme mention it is a good idea to get the finer details worked out with a GA before accepting the deal. Often the bump voucher is worth almost double my original ticket. I usually try to book them so i don't have anything critical the following day. Gives me a bit more freedom to take bumps if offered.

The last time for me was on a Northwest MR out of Dca to Las and they needed 28 volunteers for my first segment because our elderly DC9 could not carry a full load of pax from here to Msp due to strong headwinds. The kind gate agent rebooked my return to allow me to take the bump otherwise I would have passed myself in the air somewhere. The new itinerary gave me more miles than the original and added a stopover in a new city for me (Mke). It was difficult for them to get their quota of volunteers so they were being extra helpful.

This is why I try to stick to international, straight through, MRs. SFO-FRA and back if possible. If I have to have a cx, I try to make it on the return. The handfull of extra miles from flying around the hypotenuse are not worth it to me.

Last month, I had two back to back MRs where I VDB'd. The first was my first leg out. I was going PHL-IAD-SFO. I bumped off the PHL-IAD and took PHL-SFO direct. Fortunately, the agent who rebooked me did it in full Y so I didn't miss out on any miles. Coincidentally, she also recognized that I might be on an MR and called me on it.

Coming back from the second MR, I bumped off IAD-PHL. Things were screwed up in IAD that day and I wound up taking DCA-PHL a few hours later. That agent also rebooked me in full Y so I got bonus miles for it.

It pays to know what your options are ahead of time. Next weekend, I've got a LAX-FRA surrounded by PHL-LAX flights. If I'm delayed coming in, I already know what my outbound options to FRA are and are prepared to use them.

I was ticketed OMA-IAH-EWR. They asked for volunteers, and I jumped up. Then starts the negotiation. @:-) Their first offer, the next OMA-IAH, with a much later IAH-EWR. Then I suggested she could put me on the OMA-EWR NS leaving in 30 minutes. Always know your options in advance. Bingo! $200 voucher, got home sooner than originally scheduled. ^ Called OPSC next day, and requested that they credit miles as originally ticketed, and they did! :D

The really wierd thing here, was at the very last minute, the GA said they had 1 no-show, and I could fly as originally ticketed, or take the bump, MY choice!! :-: Well, I didn't ponder that one long, NS + $200 won hands down.

B7

Fortunately, the agent who rebooked me did it in full Y so I didn't miss out on any miles. Coincidentally, she also recognized that I might be on an MR and called me on it.
What did she say/do? What was your response? So far when people have questioned my routing I've pointed out it's "a long story" and roll my eyes. That's mostly worked.

What did she say/do? What was your response? So far when people have questioned my routing I've pointed out it's "a long story" and roll my eyes. That's mostly worked.

Being rebooked in full Y isn't uncommon during bump situations. It should be automatic.

Sometimes, you may not get the 150% bonus for Y class but if you do not, then fight for the real mileage of the trip. That is, if you were booked PHL-IAD-SFO and bumped off of PHL-IAD, the 500 miles lost but the 150% gained on the PHL-SFO is less than the 2500 x 1.5.

Full Y are also EQMs and can be greater than the short hop you were bumped off of.

Alternatively, if you were bumped or had a flight cancelled, you are entitled to your original mileage credit. Write a letter and/or fax it in. They should process it within a few days of receipt. Keep calling but give them a reasonable amount of time. I've done this in both circumstances and gotten what I was due.

What did she say/do? What was your response? So far when people have questioned my routing I've pointed out it's "a long story" and roll my eyes. That's mostly worked.

Apparently they had looked at my itinerary. I was standing near the gate when the agent hung up the phone after saying something about needing two. I'm always close by to volunteer (once got a double in Memphis). I asked and she told me that she needed them. When she asked my name, I gave her my boarding pass. She said they were wondering about me.. was I doing this for points and segments. I told her that yes it was a mileage run but I don't do it on segments. I also told her that I'd take the direct to SFO. She actually yelled over to the desk and said, "I've got him. He'll take the direct."

It rebooked with the EQM bonus. Worked out better for me as it was 1.5*2521 (3782) versus 2919 on the original leg.

I have always been upfront about MRs. One time volunteering and saying I was on a run. The agent was very accomodating and knowing I wanted miles, asked me if I wanted routed for maxmimu effect. I did. He did. All is good.

I was ticketed OMA-IAH-EWR. They asked for volunteers, and I jumped up. Then starts the negotiation. @:-) Their first offer, the next OMA-IAH, with a much later IAH-EWR. Then I suggested she could put me on the OMA-EWR NS leaving in 30 minutes. Always know your options in advance. Bingo! $200 voucher, got home sooner than originally scheduled. ^ Called OPSC next day, and requested that they credit miles as originally ticketed, and they did! :D

The really wierd thing here, was at the very last minute, the GA said they had 1 no-show, and I could fly as originally ticketed, or take the bump, MY choice!! :-: Well, I didn't ponder that one long, NS + $200 won hands down.

B7

what does OPSC stand for again?

I have always been upfront about MRs. One time volunteering and saying I was on a run. The agent was very accomodating and knowing I wanted miles, asked me if I wanted routed for maxmimu effect. I did. He did. All is good.
The reason I was wondering is that some folks seem to think you should "keep quiet" about it... AFAICT "Mileage Runs" aren't against UA's FF policy - was wondering what it meant to "get caught" by the GA for being on a MR.

I don't understand why an airline would pass judgement either...you are paying them...

Suppose you get bumped on a reward ticket? On your reroute do you get EQM?

Suppose you get bumped on a reward ticket? On your reroute do you get EQM?

I don't think so...

Suppose you get bumped on a reward ticket? On your reroute do you get EQM?

Only by computer error. Last year my wife had a weather misconnect on an award ticket (NWA) dtw-ams-cpt. She ended up getting RDM and EQM for paid biz, but they took them away at some point.

Suppose you get bumped on a reward ticket? On your reroute do you get EQM?

You shouldn't. When you get a bump on a reward ticket, you should generally focus on trying to get (if possible) a more direct route to where you are going and/or upgrade class of service (in addition to voucher compensation). If you are on a MR, you should generally try to get rerouted to increase the mileage over your original route (plus everything else).

I love bumps on MRs where I'm able to get switched to better planes and/or longer routes than I was able to originally book.

what does OPSC stand for again?
OPSC = OnePass Service Center (for CO)

What happens when you get bumped on a MR? Do they rebook your whole ticket, reroute you to your destination (you lose the miles you would have gotten?) or.... do they give you a bonus check and you get to fly on the next day or something?

if it is a true MR (speaking about UA), you modify your itinerary to bring you to your next destination (or home) and apply for original routing mileage credit...
AX

in a couple related instances, I have been in situations where airline A, the one I wanted to fly and earn mileage on, had some problem and had to rebook me elsewhere. If not successful in remaining with them for the remainder of the planned journey, I have found that you can write in to claim what miles you WOULD have gotten on airline A, even though they rebooked you on airline B. Then you can even get more miles on airline B! Airline B could be a totally different carrier not even partners with A, and so in a way you double dip!

Keep everything and stay on it.
:)MM

This mostly applies if you are crossing alliances, in which case, the reroute to (*/OW/ST) from the other alliance will post to the other alliance's mileage...

in a couple related instances, I have been in situations where airline A, the one I wanted to fly and earn mileage on, had some problem and had to rebook me elsewhere. If not successful in remaining with them for the remainder of the planned journey, I have found that you can write in to claim what miles you WOULD have gotten on airline A, even though they rebooked you on airline B. Then you can even get more miles on airline B! Airline B could be a totally different carrier not even partners with A, and so in a way you double dip!

Keep everything and stay on it.
:)MM

AA 1974 LAX-BNA 06 March looks packed

I am on a MR, and I want to start now and devise a strategy in case they need volunteers.

1. I am trying to take aadvantage of double miles between BNA/LAX, and I am on the return flight same day.

2. If I miss (take bump) on first flight, then my day is cancelled.

What is my best option:

A. Get miles including promotion and don't fly.
B. Get voucher and have AA rebook me same flights on 08 March two days later
C. Get voucher, fly different route to BNA and back to LAX same day and request promotional miles that I would have earned (non-direct doesn't qualify for promotion)
D. Get voucher and request refund of flight and don't fly
E. Fly, get miles miles, get promotional miles, don't volunteer

TIA,

Sam

Funny thing is that I suppose there are many people who have to take that particular flight and cannot get on it. So getting bumped on a flight you do not need to be on, can actually be seen as a service to another traveler!

Suppose you get bumped on a reward ticket? On your reroute do you get EQM?

See post #24 for the secret way to turn an award ticket bump into more EQM/RDM.

Examples:
AA LAX-ORD --> UA LAX-ORD or NWA LAX-DTW-ORD as UA & NWA are not partners with AA.

Use your cellphone/pda to access either your preferred carrier's wap website or you can use www.sabremobile.com/vt.wml for a simplified search. There is a thread in Travel&Technology forum listing all the important WAP sites. I usually will just pull out my laptop and aircard then load up KVS to get really prepared ;)

What happens when you get bumped on a MR? Do they rebook your whole ticket, reroute you to your destination (you lose the miles you would have gotten?) or.... do they give you a bonus check and you get to fly on the next day or something?

The good: Always get a vouchure for $$, not free flights. Get rerouted, usually on a non stop, know your options in advance. Get original routing credit (usually just have to call CS after the fact.) Usually, get full EQP's as the rebooking takes you to a higher fare class.

The bad: These are the only times that I have had to fly coach, as usually the FC seats on the reroute are gone. Ask at the time you get the bump but keep your expectations in check.

Very interesting. What is NS? Did you take the original flight , or the changed which would have arrived earlier?

I was ticketed OMA-IAH-EWR. They asked for volunteers, and I jumped up. Then starts the negotiation. @:-) Their first offer, the next OMA-IAH, with a much later IAH-EWR. Then I suggested she could put me on the OMA-EWR NS leaving in 30 minutes. Always know your options in advance. Bingo! $200 voucher, got home sooner than originally scheduled. ^ Called OPSC next day, and requested that they credit miles as originally ticketed, and they did! :D

The really wierd thing here, was at the very last minute, the GA said they had 1 no-show, and I could fly as originally ticketed, or take the bump, MY choice!! :-: Well, I didn't ponder that one long, NS + $200 won hands down.

B7

The good: Always get a vouchure for $$, not free flights. Get rerouted, usually on a non stop, know your options in advance. Get original routing credit (usually just have to call CS after the fact.) Usually, get full EQP's as the rebooking takes you to a higher fare class.

The bad: These are the only times that I have had to fly coach, as usually the FC seats on the reroute are gone. Ask at the time you get the bump but keep your expectations in check.
Right, "always get a vouchure for $$, not free flights." But how?

Was starting out on a transcon MR yesterday and GA was asking for volunteers to give up their seats. She was offering hotel and meal for those from out of town, rebooking for today, and a free domestic future ticket. I asked if she would make it a voucher rather than free ticket, but she wouldn't, so no appeal to me.

What is it about giving a voucher as opposed to a free ticket? I could understand if it was a matter of giving actual $s rather than a free ticket, but a voucher while denominated in $s is worthless except for use against a future ticket. For me, of course, a free ticket means flying but not getting any EQM/RDM, but why should the GA be unwilling to part with a voucher, while willing to hand out a free ticket, when the free ticket might be good for a $300 flight and a voucher only good for $200 against the purchase of a ticket? Is it so much tougher to coax a voucher out of them than a free ticket?

I don't think so...

i have... but i think i just got lucky

Right, "always get a vouchure for $$, not free flights." But how?

Was starting out on a transcon MR yesterday and GA was asking for volunteers to give up their seats. She was offering hotel and meal for those from out of town, rebooking for today, and a free domestic future ticket. I asked if she would make it a voucher rather than free ticket, but she wouldn't, so no appeal to me.

What is it about giving a voucher as opposed to a free ticket? I could understand if it was a matter of giving actual $s rather than a free ticket, but a voucher while denominated in $s is worthless except for use against a future ticket. For me, of course, a free ticket means flying but not getting any EQM/RDM, but why should the GA be unwilling to part with a voucher, while willing to hand out a free ticket, when the free ticket might be good for a $300 flight and a voucher only good for $200 against the purchase of a ticket? Is it so much tougher to coax a voucher out of them than a free ticket?


Usually, the "free flight" is highly restricted, whereas, the vouchur can be used for almost anything the airline has to offer. Plus, no miles/UPG's etc with the free flights. USAir seems to want to only hand these out, whereas, AA usually offers $300 (or more) in vouchurs.

I wonder if free flight and travel credits cost UA differently once it's time balance the books. A guess would be that travel credit lowers revenue dollar for dollar, while free flight can be written off by other means. Another guess would be that more free flghts go unredeemed than travel credits.

Another guess would be that more free flghts go unredeemed than travel credits.


I would guess with this one, at least for me. As I know I wouldn't use a free RT for a $100 ticket, putting off the voucher until it potentially expired. The $$$ off voucher, I would use on the next flight I purchased.

Of course, on the flip side. if you give the average Joe a voucher, they would use it on the $76 MCI-DFW and essentially waste it. Maybe that is why they do it?

I was on PHL-IAD-SFO-LAS-LAX-PHL MR last week. They needed the volunteer for 1st flight and I volunteered. I was offered to connect in DEN to SFO. She processed the travel voucher, gave me new boarding pass. At the last minute, they found the DEN flight was full already, even though their system showed one seat open. She asked me to return the travel voucher, I thought about keep it, but can't bring myself to argue with her. I was so close to scoring it. I ended up taking the original flight to IAD, it was delayed and I missed my connection. Had to take the next one to SFO, but could not get to LAS in time to come back the same day. My MR trip became PHL-IAD-SFO-LAX-PHL. :td: :td: One saving grace was I was rebooked in Y from IAD-SFO. That's more than makeup for the lost miles. Funny thing is, I found that a mysterious PHL-IAD-LAX-PHL in my itineraries for this week, which I did not book. Looks like United thought I canceled the last trip and rebooked me. :confused: :confused:

Getting bump on MR can be a good thing. I'm not as time restrictive. Actually, I scored two bumps for two PHL-LAX trips last year. Will use those for family trips this year.

I was able to exchange a bump RTFC voucher for a $200 voucher with US so I could take a MR to BOS in December. My last flight of the year, which got me to Platinum level. Flight Credit vouchers come in handy, but not for MRs.

It wasn't too many years ago a bump from an award ticket onto a later flight on the same airline got status change to Y. I don't believe any airlines are doing this now.

The best option for bumps off award tickets is to get onto another airline to get the mileage...an unexpected MR is how I think of it. If you are aware a non-partner carrier can get you where you want to go sooner than the bumping airline, take advantage of it. Mrs. Outoftown and I were offered options from a late LanPeru flight last July and took US from MIA to RDU where we both got credit. If I would have picked the direct AA flight, which was also offered but at a later time, we wouldn't have gotten mileage because it was originally a AA award.

Should I ask for anything over this one? Recently I booked a trip SAN-FLL. In actuality, more or less a mileage run since it was a very cheap fare but I have some friends in Florida and figured I'd spend the night out there and hang out at the beach the next day. Day of travel, my friends get called out of town and it's raining so the beach is out. Really no reason to even make the trip but as a mileage run. EUA'd SAN-IAH, exit row IAH-FLL. On boarding the second flight in IAH I find my assigned seat prominently marked "out of service" and the FA tells me to talk to the gate agent. So I head back out and explain this to the GA who sighed, apologizes, says no one had told them a seat was out of service so they had already filled the flight from the stand by list. They decided they would have to go on and pull out the last standby who they had already boarded and give me their seat. Now since I really didn't want to go to Florida anyway and the last standbys to clear were a really nice looking couple I told the GA, wait a second, before you pull someone off the plane who really needs to get to Florida, I could care less at this point if I make it to Florida or not, if you'll just turn me around and send me back to San Diego on the next plane I'm ready to just write this whole trip off as doomed from the beginning. They were very happy I was not mad and that they weren’t going to have to throw a standby off the plane whom they had already boarded and was probably part of a couple traveling together. In effect I bailed them out of an unfortunate situation created by a breakdown of communication somewhere between those who knew a seat was out of service and the gate agents who did not know that until I discovered it was my seat.

But.... I was never denied boarding, either voluntarily or involuntarily. It wasn’t really a bump. They were quite prepared to go kick the last standby off the plane and allow me to board (to a middle seat no doubt.). My solution was much better for them and for me but they were quite prepared to fulfill all of their obligations and it was I who voluntarily changed my routing. No voucher since they weren’t oversold or looking for volunteers.
They booked me back to SAN less than an hour later in A which was nice. But do you think I should be entitled at least to a partial refund or credit of my fare for the unused segments as well as miles for the original routing? I’m not trying to be greedy but it was there screw up after all.

It wasn't too many years ago a bump from an award ticket onto a later flight on the same airline got status change to Y. I don't believe any airlines are doing this now.
Actually Northwest does this. You get the voucher and very often (95% of the time) your flights get posted as a full Y, regardless of fare purchased or miles paid.

Should I ask for anything over this one? ...

My solution was much better for them and for me but they were quite prepared to fulfill all of their obligations and it was I who voluntarily changed my routing. No voucher since they weren’t oversold or looking for volunteers.
They booked me back to SAN less than an hour later in A which was nice. But do you think I should be entitled at least to a partial refund or credit of my fare for the unused segments as well as miles for the original routing? I’m not trying to be greedy but it was there screw up after all.

You were very nice indeed--to the other passengers and to the airlines, as well as whatever staff members screwed up!!

For this they should have just OFFERED you something hands down, no questions asked.

here's something creative I would love to try--maybe you can now:

Write the airline and explain it all. Then say you are not looking for anything in this case, but if you are ever in a bind in the future, you want them to take "points" from your nice account! They should owe you in case you ever get stuck in the future. After all, it can and will happen to all of us

:)MM

Should I ask for anything over this one?

They may not have been willing to VDB you as they could have removed a standby without having to provide compensation - but I would have asked for them to VDB me at that moment and hope that they would rather do that then delay the flight to get the standby off.

In the alternative to a VDB, I might have sought to be re-routed in a less direct fashion to increase the return on investment of the MR.

But it sounds like you got what you wanted - some miles and not going to FL (and rebooked in A).

At this point, I don't think you should be entitled to anything as you agreed to the arrangement, got booked in A, didn't . However, as with most things - it probably couldn't hurt to ask and you might get thrown a bone or two.

Right, "always get a vouchure for $$, not free flights." But how?

Was starting out on a transcon MR yesterday and GA was asking for volunteers to give up their seats. She was offering hotel and meal for those from out of town, rebooking for today, and a free domestic future ticket. I asked if she would make it a voucher rather than free ticket, but she wouldn't, so no appeal to me.

What is it about giving a voucher as opposed to a free ticket? I could understand if it was a matter of giving actual $s rather than a free ticket, but a voucher while denominated in $s is worthless except for use against a future ticket. For me, of course, a free ticket means flying but not getting any EQM/RDM, but why should the GA be unwilling to part with a voucher, while willing to hand out a free ticket, when the free ticket might be good for a $300 flight and a voucher only good for $200 against the purchase of a ticket? Is it so much tougher to coax a voucher out of them than a free ticket?


Whether you get a voucher or a free flight is a very subjective decision. Personally I almost always opt for the free ticket - generally I can plan my trips far in advance and can use the free ticket for a value well above the voucher value. I prefer to forego the EQM and put the monetary savings in the bank (compared theoretically to what I would have paid for the ticket less the voucher value). I routinely use the free tickets for tickets that otherwise would cost $500-$1000. For me, a MUCH better deal.

AA just notified me of flight changes on upcoming AA award (T) flights from the mainland USA to STT. I had them all streamlined since they were convoluted to begin with. I also noticed they all went from T to Y. Does this mean I can get miles on these as well? The good thing was that the rule of 80 allowed me to completly redo everyones itinerary, alleviating the stop and overnight in SJU.

Jim

When planning an MR, you should be planning "slop time" if possible, to be able to take advantage of potential bumps and/or buffer your plans from irregular operations that can eat into your time or re-route you.

Even if there is no free time in your schedule, you should plan possible alternatives in case of irregular ops. In my case I have three airports at home that are usually considered co-terminals, so I have more options.

In one MR that got cancelled due to ice, I already had an alternative to a co-terminal home that I had been keeping an eye on to leap on if/when mine got cancelled, that not only allowed me to keep to my multi-day/multi-MR schedule, but also got me another 100% miles for the segment there (and next morning's segment back) because that co-terminal was part of a promotion I was registered for (but wasn't included on the cheapo fare I was riding on). The unrequested CS miles they also threw at me for the cancellation was just extra frosting. ^

Steve

"...a richochet biscuit is the kind of a biscuit that is supposed to bounce off of the wall back in your mouth.

...if it don't bounce back...<neighing>...you go hungry! Bow-bow-bow!"


"Rubber Biscuit" sung by The Blues Brothers (originally written/played by the Chips), which I recall from my high school years, listening to that running on an 8-track tape in a pick-up.

I was doing a segment run last weekend, STL-ORD-DTW-ORD-STL.

Due to spring break and a last minute downgrade from a 757 to an MD-80, the ORD-DTW flight was oversold by 40 people.

I took the voucher and told them to just send me back to STL.

There wasn't going to be another flight with seats open until the next day (they were looking for people willing to re-route to FNT, TOL or via DFW or LGA), I figured that I was coming out $230 ahead anyway (each segment cost me $35) and that there were people who actually needed to make it to DTW ASAP.

I'm going to write in to see if I can get original routing credit anyway.

Greg

Should I ask for anything over this one? Recently I booked a trip SAN-FLL. In actuality, more or less a mileage run since it was a very cheap fare but I have some friends in Florida and figured I'd spend the night out there and hang out at the beach the next day. Day of travel, my friends get called out of town and it's raining so the beach is out. Really no reason to even make the trip but as a mileage run. EUA'd SAN-IAH, exit row IAH-FLL. On boarding the second flight in IAH I find my assigned seat prominently marked "out of service" and the FA tells me to talk to the gate agent. So I head back out and explain this to the GA who sighed, apologizes, says no one had told them a seat was out of service so they had already filled the flight from the stand by list. They decided they would have to go on and pull out the last standby who they had already boarded and give me their seat. Now since I really didn't want to go to Florida anyway and the last standbys to clear were a really nice looking couple I told the GA, wait a second, before you pull someone off the plane who really needs to get to Florida, I could care less at this point if I make it to Florida or not, if you'll just turn me around and send me back to San Diego on the next plane I'm ready to just write this whole trip off as doomed from the beginning. They were very happy I was not mad and that they weren’t going to have to throw a standby off the plane whom they had already boarded and was probably part of a couple traveling together. In effect I bailed them out of an unfortunate situation created by a breakdown of communication somewhere between those who knew a seat was out of service and the gate agents who did not know that until I discovered it was my seat.

But.... I was never denied boarding, either voluntarily or involuntarily. It wasn’t really a bump. They were quite prepared to go kick the last standby off the plane and allow me to board (to a middle seat no doubt.). My solution was much better for them and for me but they were quite prepared to fulfill all of their obligations and it was I who voluntarily changed my routing. No voucher since they weren’t oversold or looking for volunteers.
They booked me back to SAN less than an hour later in A which was nice. But do you think I should be entitled at least to a partial refund or credit of my fare for the unused segments as well as miles for the original routing? I’m not trying to be greedy but it was there screw up after all.

Follow up on this one. I fired off a friendly good natured letter to customer care about this. I got 1918 bonus miles (I have know idea how they arrived at that odd number) and a PC Club pass out of it. Won't win any FT records for most successful mileage run but since it wasn't meant to be a millage run I'll call it a good deal for all. It was an ill fated trip that became an unintended mileage run and in the end I suppose it worked out in the best interest of me, Continental and the unknown stand by passenger who didn’t get kick off the plane that day.