US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Warning regarding free RT coupons (bump voucher)

I received one of the almost worthless RT bump coupons back in October from a PHL-BWI flight that was oversold on a Saturday morning. This was before the information came out about $ vouchers, but I really didn't care...my ticket cost $72 with tax CLE-BWI and I was getting GOM and all of those bonuses of the past.

After finding some infamous X-class inventory on the dates I wanted for JAX-CLE this July, utilizing the online award booking engine, I called Silver Res to get the reservation made. "Are you flexible with your dates?" was the first question he asked me. I assured him X-class was open that day and no, I wasn't flexible. He proceeded to tell me there were no flights that entire week. Impossible..."I'm showing US1278 to Philly, do you see it?" "Oh! Philly! Never even checked Philly! It's here...there's availability." Checking the flights for the return segment was the same procedure.

Bottom line: Don't always buy what the phone reps feed you regarding the free RT coupons or award availability in general.

I don't even accept these things any more...frankly, they have little value to me. Restricted times and dates, no miles. I've been stuck too many times with these things...

I sold one on ebay for $280 a few months ago.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TimCLE:
This was before the information came out about $ vouchers...</font>

Does US give you the option of $ travel vouchers now? I've certainly passed up the free trip vouchers in the past...



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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Alysia:
I sold one on ebay for $280 a few months ago.</font>

Alysia - YGM

I am so confused right now. I've gotten 4 bump coupons, used TWO, one to San Diego, and one to Asheville. San Diego was across Labor day weekend. Asheville was across this past Memorial Day. I still jump to bump. Am I just getting very lucky??

Heinrich:

My experiences are similar to yours. I've never really had any trouble using the bump vouchers. I'll take one in a heartbeat!

I have always been able to use mine. I use them for one of my kids, use miles for the wife and other kid, and buy a revenue ticket for me so i get the miles + 100% CP bonus.

I have received two bump coupons and redeemed both this year. Both for flights from RDU to Manchester, NH - one in July and one in September. When I called to book, I did not have a choice of all the flights that I knew were available, but I was still able to book reasonable trips with them. (I did have to wait 10 min on hold to book - wish you could book voucher flights on line)

My two cents:

I believe that US offers a choice of a free ticket voucher or a $200.00 travel voucher. If they don't automatically offer both, ask if the travel voucher will be provided if you are a selectee. These vouchers are good on any US Airways ticket purchase and are not limited to availability. You can even use them to discount an international flight.

Customer service agents at the gate are notorious for misleading or outright false statements in answer to questions regarding free ticket voucher's use. I can understand that...although I deplore the dishonesty...they're trying to get volunteers so they don't have to involuntarily deny boarding. Technically, I guess, when a volunteer gets the free voucher they are signing a statement releasing the company from liability, and it also points out on the voucher that seats are limited for using them. Still, from a customer service standpoint, it can lead to bad feelings when someone is told they could use it on any domestic flight, then wants to use the free voucher to go to FLL or TPA during spring break...forget it!

Your best bet, if you can get it, is asking for a $200.00 voucher. It isn't a free ticket, but it doesn't have the potential hassle factor, either.

I usually go for the dollar off voucher, but the last time I took a bump they would not bend, so I took the RT. It was impossible to use out of FL. So what I ended up doing was ticketing it for a friend and then let them stand by for whatever they wanted. That worked out fine, becasue at the airport the as long as there is a Y class seat they get on the plane.

I could see how Florida would be a problem. Airfare TO Florida is so cheap that I would never use miles or a voucher to GO to Florida, in fact, I'm going to Orlando next week on a paid ticket even though I have vouchers. Florida is right at top capacity it seems to me, at least as far as Tampa, Ft Myers, Sarasota and Orlando go - all of those I have firsthand knowledge and fly to regularly or within the past year. I can imagine if you originate in Florida it would be really tough.

BUT you can go on standby with the voucher, too. I'd be surprised if you didn't make within 2-3 flights out of Tampa (not sure how far away that is for you.)

I agree with Randeman...I always ask for the $200 voucher instead of the RTFC. Unfortunately many gate agents and supervisors are getting stingier with these. Some outright refuse to give the $ vouchers knowing others will take the flight credit. Last month I was able to exchange an about to expire flight credit for a $200 voucher, but it was a special case where I could buy cheap RDU-LAS tix with a $ voucher but couldn't get my SO a campanion seat with the flight credit. After the exchange, I was able to upgrade all 4 segments and we both got DM miles (double double DM in my case!)

Note if the flight credit is about to expire, you can exchange it prior to the expiration date for a new one with an extended date.

Is it common for US to exchange a free flight coupon for a new one with extended expiration? Or would I need preferred status? My status recently expired and I'm back to regular-old DM member.

I have a free flight voucher, but it expires pretty soon, I'd rather use it in the fall if I could.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PhillyPhlyer:
Is it common for US to exchange a free flight coupon for a new one with extended expiration? Or would I need preferred status? My status recently expired and I'm back to regular-old DM member.

I have a free flight voucher, but it expires pretty soon, I'd rather use it in the fall if I could.</font>

I have been told that, officially, once a voucher or ticket has expired, it's gone. However, you may get lucky with a contact to consumer affairs. They may give you a (brief) extension.

If it expires soon just book it to your destination, and then change it later. That way you've exchanged the voucher and will be altering departure and return times. I am not sure if you can alter the actual destination itself but you can alter the times. I believe you can book up to 1 year out.

Excellent suggestion, Heinrich. Thanks!

Didn't know you could do that for free with voucher tickets. So I could pick my favorite destination, pick almost arbitrary dates, and then change the dates later for free? Or would there be a change fee for that?

Thanks for the advice!

-Dave

Can the $200 vouchers be used in combination? For example, say I take 2 bumps and get 2 $200 vouchers - can I redeem all $400 of their combined value on a single ticket purchase?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PhillyPhlyer:
Excellent suggestion, Heinrich. Thanks!

Didn't know you could do that for free with voucher tickets. So I could pick my favorite destination, pick almost arbitrary dates, and then change the dates later for free? Or would there be a change fee for that?

Thanks for the advice!

-Dave</font>

No change fee.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tober138:
Can the $200 vouchers be used in combination? For example, say I take 2 bumps and get 2 $200 vouchers - can I redeem all $400 of their combined value on a single ticket purchase?</font>

I have submitted multiple $ vouchers on US and other airlines. Just like cash. You even get change with a new expiration date if you don't use the full amount. If you have 2 $200 vouchers and are getting a ticket slightly over $200, it would be advantageous to get a new voucher for the balance with a new expiration date rather than pay cash for the few $ over the first voucher.

I used the same trick with my USDA food stamps before they went to cards. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by outoftown (edited 06-03-2003).]

dupe, sorry



[This message has been edited by outoftown (edited 06-03-2003).]

Phillyflyer- yes, absolutely. You can easily change your dates (subject to availability.) I am not sure if you could change your destination, so get that right :-]

There was no change fee for me last year when I was gold. I'm pretty sure that's not a benefit, I don't believe there's any change fee at all but you might want to double check.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Randeman:
My two cents:

I believe that US offers a choice of a free ticket voucher or a $200.00 travel voucher. If they don't automatically offer both, ask if the travel voucher will be provided if you are a selectee. These vouchers are good on any US Airways ticket purchase and are not limited to availability. You can even use them to discount an international flight.

</font>

Yay! Search works!

(I just wanted to say thanks for this info. I'm looking at my flight tonight and seeing
Y1 B1 M1 H1 K0 Q0 V0 L0 so I would think I have a decent chance, eh?)

Now for the new question/twist:

Has anybody been bumped flying US metal on a United ticket? Does that change the rules of compensation at all? Everybody always says that the "rules of the ticketing carrier apply" but by the time you get to the gate, that certainly isn't the case in every instance (thinking of the battle I would have to stand by on an earlier US flight without a fee for instance)

I too have never had trouble using the RTFC roundtrip bump vouchers. They do allow standby travel (never actually had to go standby), and they do not require a Saturday night stay.

I would take a free ticket voucher any day over a lousy $200 coupon. I figure I get a minimum value of $300-$600 or more out of the free tickets. I try to use them for last minute trips, or trips where I don't have a Saturday night stay.

The dollar voucher would have to be in the range of $300&gt; for me to consider it over an open free ticket anywhere I want to go virtually anytime (remember you can standby). The obvious downside is the tickets are not officially upgradable, though I suspect the ATO actually upgrades them sometimes, although personally the last one the ATO would not upgrade for me per the rules.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jetsetter:
I too have never had trouble using the RTFC roundtrip bump vouchers. They do allow standby travel (never actually had to go standby), and they do not require a Saturday night stay.

I would take a free ticket voucher any day over a lousy $200 coupon. I figure I get a minimum value of $300-$600 or more out of the free tickets. I try to use them for last minute trips, or trips where I don't have a Saturday night stay.

The dollar voucher would have to be in the range of $300&gt; for me to consider it over an open free ticket anywhere I want to go virtually anytime (remember you can standby). The obvious downside is the tickets are not officially upgradable, though I suspect the ATO actually upgrades them sometimes, although personally the last one the ATO would not upgrade for me per the rules.</font>

Nor dot hey earn miles correct?

I'm with jetsetter. I'll take the r/t voucher over the $200 credit any day. For me, it's nice having a freebie in hand for that quick weekend trip to NYC or DCA. These are RJ flights out of RDU so no need for the upgrade. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dingo:
Nor dot hey earn miles correct?</font>

I've used a number of them, you are correct dingo.