Delta SkyMiles - Potential VDB coming this Friday. Need Advice to proceed

Flying GTR-ATL on 9/16. LSU/MSU game is the night before, all three flights are zeroed out. I am on the middle flight of the three and have no set time to arrive in ATL Friday, although I would like to be there Friday if possible.


1. If I do have the opportunity to VDB, and the only way to get me to ATL that evening is via another airport (JAN, TUP, MEI) will DL cover the transportation there?

2. Could I call the medallion line on 9/15 and offer to take a different routing from departing form JAN?

3. If I end up there for the night, am I maxed out at $600, hotel, airport transportation, and meals?

All my previous VDB options have been in much more accessible locations and routings. Any help would be appreciated.

I wouldn't get your hopes up. All 3 flights are currently selling 1 seat.

While it is always good to have backup plans in case you don't make it on a flight, a potential issue like the OP raises should be at or near the bottom of the list of potential problems. For the first six months of the year, the IDB rate for DL was .29 per 10,000 pax. The total number of IDBs was 1,419. Of the 16 largest carriers, Dl was number 3 in terms of the fewest number of IDBs. While there are posts here about people getting "bumped", the overall numbers are incredibly small. Looking above, the percentage translates to a little more than a 1/4 of a pax out of 10,000 pax being bumped. I realize that stuff does happen, but worrying about being bumped is not a concern of mine.

The source link for my stats is below:



http://m.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110828/BIZ/108280315/-1/WAP09&template=wapart&m_section=

Where? they are zeroed out on Expertflyer and DL.com tells me to try another day to book a flight.

While it is always good to have backup plans in case you don't make it on a flight, a potential issue like the OP raises should be at or near the bottom of the list of potential problems.

It isn't a problem. I'm trying to see what other DL flyers have had happen in a similar instance when the opportunity arises for a VDB in a rural location.

While it is always good to have backup plans in case you don't make it on a flight, a potential issue like the OP raises should be at or near the bottom of the list of potential problems. For the first six months of the year, the IDB rate for DL was .29 per 10,000 pax. The total number of IDBs was 1,419. Of the 16 largest carriers, Dl was number 3 in terms of the fewest number of IDBs. While there are posts here about people getting "bumped", the overall numbers are incredibly small. Looking above, the percentage translates to a little more than a 1/4 of a pax out of 10,000 pax being bumped. I realize that stuff does happen, but worrying about being bumped is not a concern of mine.True enough, but your stats are for IDBs. Most of the posts here (including this thread) relate to VDBs, which is how Delta keeps its IDB rate down. :cool:

David

True enough, but your stats are for IDBs. Most of the posts here (including this thread) relate to VDBs, which is how Delta keeps its IDB rate down. :cool:

David

I don't disagree with you, but in reality shouldn't someone be more worried about the IDB rate? If I must fly and don't volunteer to be a VDB, ultimately I would be more concerned about the IDB rate. It is that rate which is the final basis for letting me know the odds of someone else not volunteering and me being bumped when I really need to get somewhere. In the OPs situation, ultimately the odds of someone else not volunteering , and the OP not getting on that flight are miniscule, .29/10,000, as the article elaborated. In fact, while VDBs do cost the airline money, they are of no consequence to me and generally make VDBed people happy with the compensation offered. I just want to know ultimately what my odds are that there will not be enough VDBed folks, and overall it seems to be really small.

I don't disagree with you, but in reality shouldn't someone be more worried about the IDB rate? If I must fly and don't volunteer to be a VDB, ultimately I would be more concerned about the IDB rate. It is that rate which is the final basis for letting me know the odds of someone else not volunteering and me being bumped when I really need to get somewhere. In the OPs situation, ultimately the odds of someone else not volunteering , and the OP not getting on that flight are miniscule, .29/10,000, as the article elaborated. In fact, while VDBs do cost the airline money, they are of no consequence to me and generally make VDBed people happy with the compensation offered. I just want to know ultimately what my odds are that there will not be enough VDBed folks, and overall it seems to be really small.

I don't think he is concerned about IBD....I think he wants to get a VBD... and I will agree chances of getting IDB are very small!

I don't think he is concerned about IBD....I think he wants to get a VBD...

Correct. However, I don't want to VDB if its going to inconvenience me too much. I've always taken VDB's in BTR (with MSY nearby), and hub airports with options for reroute.

GTR is practically in the middle of nowhere, TUP is 90 min away and JAN is 135 min away. Out of BTR it has been common for them to provide transportation to MSY in a VDB situation, GTR on the other hand doesn't have the luxury of accessible options. I'm sure someone on here has been in a situation similar and wanted their data point(s) for planning on Friday since I'm being dropped off without a vehicle.

I wouldn't get your hopes up. All 3 flights are currently selling 1 seat.

Where? they are zeroed out on Expertflyer and DL.com tells me to try another day to book a flight.

You can straight up buy a seat at this moment on the 450pm flight.

If you use it as a connection, e.g. GTR-ATL-MCO, you can buy a seat on any of the 3 flights.

It's dynamic. Could change by the time you check. Point being, it is not a dramatic oversale, so don't get your hopes up.

Flying GTR-ATL on 9/16. LSU/MSU game is the night before, all three flights are zeroed out. I am on the middle flight of the three and have no set time to arrive in ATL Friday, although I would like to be there Friday if possible.


1. If I do have the opportunity to VDB, and the only way to get me to ATL that evening is via another airport (JAN, TUP, MEI) will DL cover the transportation there? Probably not, but you can ask.
2. Could I call the medallion line on 9/15 and offer to take a different routing from departing form JAN? I've tried this...agent said not a chance. Your only hope is them calling you, which I heard they down a few times and offfer someone $200 Delta $$ to switch to another flight
3. If I end up there for the night, am I maxed out at $600, hotel, airport transportation, and meals? Hard to say, I received $600, a hotel cert, and about $20 in meals a few weeks ago. Here is a bonus tip...if you wanting for you new flight and there is a connection keep checking the next non-stop flight and see if a seat opens up. It did for me last time and seat opened up, so I SDC on to that....got bumped again for $400......so I got a 1K going from 5pm non-stop to a 7am non-stop the next morning....

All my previous VDB options have been in much more accessible locations and routings. Any help would be appreciated.

Correct. However, I don't want to VDB if its going to inconvenience me too much. I've always taken VDB's in BTR (with MSY nearby), and hub airports with options for reroute.

GTR is practically in the middle of nowhere, TUP is 90 min away and JAN is 135 min away. Out of BTR it has been common for them to provide transportation to MSY in a VDB situation, GTR on the other hand doesn't have the luxury of accessible options. I'm sure someone on here has been in a situation similar and wanted their data point(s) for planning on Friday since I'm being dropped off without a vehicle.



If it was me, I would look into how much it will cost me to rent a oneway rental to those other airports and factor that into my decision. Also look at flights that will work to get you where you want to go. I probably won't do it for $400, but if the offer was $600 for a two-hour drive and spend $100 cash on a rental I would do it. Don't for get ask to be put in 1st as well :)

Don't for get ask to be put in 1st as well

Where is that on the CR2? :)

Where is that on the CR2? :)

Oh...then ask for two seats! Sorry!

Keep in mind that the yield analyst working this market at Delta likely knows that the football game is the night before, which being mostly leisure-driven traffic that won't cancel means they might tend to not overbook the CRJs by much, if at all. From my past experiences with CRJ overbookings, it tends to be by no more than 1, and often it's right at capacity.

With the new DOT rules in place about IDB, I'd expect airlines to clamp down even further on overbooking.

Keep in mind that the yield analyst working this market at Delta likely knows that the football game is the night before, which being mostly leisure-driven traffic that won't cancel means they might tend to not overbook the CRJs by much, if at all. From my past experiences with CRJ overbookings, it tends to be by no more than 1, and often it's right at capacity.

With the new DOT rules in place about IDB, I'd expect airlines to clamp down even further on overbooking.

I'm not so sure about that...Those last min Y fares are usually much higher then a IDB will cost....also the IBD rate would have to get much higher. VBD used to be cake...now it's a dog fight to get one. There is way too many people looking to get one....They will give away $200-$600 all day long for VDB...There making $$$ when that happens. Much better to VBD 3, then go out with 3 empty seats!

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I'm not so sure about that...Those last min Y fares are usually much higher then a IDB will cost....also the IBD rate would have to get much higher. VBD used to be cake...now it's a dog fight to get one. There is way too many people looking to get one....They will give away $200-$600 all day long for VDB...There making $$$ when that happens. Much better to VBD 3, then go out with 3 empty seats!

Depends on the situation. Not all DB situations are cut and dry. Alas, that is all I can say on the matter.

I flew out of GTR last Tuesday going GTR-ATL-DFW. The flight was oversold by 2, and the agents were offering up to $1300 to take a later flight. I was able to snag $1200 (check, not voucher), an extra afternoon with my family, and a seat in F on the flight to DFW.

However, in my case I was fortunate to be able to call for a ride. There are no hotels near GTR, but some of the ones in town may offer a shuttle service. My guess is that if you are able to cash in, it will be up to you to figure out what to do in the meantime.

The flight was oversold by 2, and the agents were offering up to $1300 to take a later flight. I was able to snag $1200 (check, not voucher), an extra afternoon with my family, and a seat in F on the flight to DFW.

Did they start at $1,200?

Did they start at $1,200?

Checks are issued for INVOL only...

Did they start at $1,200?

No, they just said "up to $1300", then told me I would get $1200. I assume they handled it like an IDB, which I believe is based on the ticket price. Not sure why they did it like that but I didn't argue. Check arrived via fedex the next day.

I flew out of GTR last Tuesday going GTR-ATL-DFW. The flight was oversold by 2, and the agents were offering up to $1300 to take a later flight. I was able to snag $1200 (check, not voucher), an extra afternoon with my family, and a seat in F on the flight to DFW.Wow - that's a huge score. Congrats!

David

WOW! Congratulations! That's a nice payday. $1200!!! I didn't even know they had an airport. GTR was a new one on me...Agreed, for that amount of pocket change, I would have paid a friend or my hubby to pick me up at GTR after the bump. But I don't know how I'd end up there in the first place. My husband goes there sometimes for business, but in a company car, not an airplane...

I've had so much trouble getting any bumps lately, to hear of a big one like this is a thrill.

No, they just said "up to $1300", then told me I would get $1200. I assume they handled it like an IDB, which I believe is based on the ticket price. Not sure why they did it like that but I didn't argue. Check arrived via fedex the next day.

Interesting. So you volunteered and still received IDB-esque credit?

Interesting. So you volunteered and still received IDB-esque credit?

i call that bs. If it did happen that person is probably no longer working for DL or he/she would soon be out of job...

If it did happen that person is probably no longer working for DL or he/she would soon be out of job...

Well the person at GTR doesn't work for DL anyways...

No, they just said "up to $1300", then told me I would get $1200. I assume they handled it like an IDB, which I believe is based on the ticket price. Not sure why they did it like that but I didn't argue. Check arrived via fedex the next day.

Why would they FedEx the check? I guess I am confused because IDB requires a check paid on the spot for the amount. Maybe IDB changed to a higher 400% the one-way fare (with the new regulations) or a maximum of $1300 for an arrival at your destination over 2 hours late. So if your RT GTR-DFW was $600, then $1,200 could make sense ($300 each way x 400%). Per IDB guidelines "the airline must give each passenger who qualifies for involuntary denied boarding compensation a payment by cash or check for the amount specified above, on the day and at the place the involuntary denied boarding occurs". So it would make no sense for them to have sent you a check in the mail. So that part confuses me. Plus, if you were volunteering then this story makes almost no sense since volunteer compensation is much less and much different.

Why would they FedEx the check? I guess I am confused because IDB requires a check paid on the spot for the amount. Maybe IDB changed to a higher 400% the one-way fare (with the new regulations) or a maximum of $1300 for an arrival at your destination over 2 hours late. So if your RT GTR-DFW was $600, then $1,200 could make sense ($300 each way x 400%). Per IDB guidelines "the airline must give each passenger who qualifies for involuntary denied boarding compensation a payment by cash or check for the amount specified above, on the day and at the place the involuntary denied boarding occurs". So it would make no sense for them to have sent you a check in the mail. So that part confuses me. Plus, if you were volunteering then this story makes almost no sense since volunteer compensation is much less and much different.

You are 100% correct on all points.

Actually, I think the IDB rules allow them to deliver it within 24 hours in some cases.

My RT ticket was about $600, so the math makes sense. The agent had to fill out a check request form, so it probably came from the ASA home office.

As it turns out, OP's flight (and the two surrounding) aren't overbooked but are available for sale right now. As others point out, the CR2's tend not to be oversold and if they are, by very few.

In the event that the flight is actually overbooked at the gate in that too many people are physically present in a timely manner and there are leisure flyers, you will be surprised at how little some will accept by way of VDB.

While it was ORD and UAX, not long ago, the GA asked for 2 volunteers on a flight to PWM which meant a reroute via IAD and a 4-hour delayed arrival and got the 2 volunteers for $50 + F. That's a total of $100 and the two F seats just mean that there were seats avail for UDU which just didn't go to those in queue.

Summary: Have a backup plan, but don't spend the cash just yet.

My RT ticket was about $600, so the math makes sense. The agent had to fill out a check request form, so it probably came from the ASA home office.

Who paid? ASA or Delta?

Summary: Have a backup plan, but don't spend the cash just yet.

That was the entire premise of the thread.

And I can't book anything but the 4:50 flight.

So what was the outcome, lsugolfer?

I am also interested in the outcome lsugolfer as well as more details on MOBFlyer's situation. The details you describe indicate they processed you as an IDB, but I was under the impression that the cash compensation rules do not apply to flights operated by a/c with less than 60 seats. Did I dream that up?

lsugolfer: How are you getting to Morgantown? I am heading to PIT, but am STILL waiting on the company to get flights booked :td::td::td:

So what was the outcome, lsugolfer?

Got to GTR about 1:20 before the flight. Asked if it was oversold, agent confirmed it was and I put myself on the list. I was told if I was needed I would receive $622. My fare was $311, IIRC.

Turns out they didn't need either of us on the list and there were 2 seats available. The agent said it often happens when the game is televised and fully refundable tickets are booked by ESPN, donors, corporate execs, etc. in the event they cannot travel via corporate jet.

lsugolfer: How are you getting to Morgantown? I am heading to PIT, but am STILL waiting on the company to get flights booked

BTR-MEM-PIT-ATL-BTR renting a car, staying near PIT though.

Ouch! Looks like only Y and B fares to/from BTR and very few seats into/from PIT on Friday and Sunday. ND/Pitt game is in PIT on Saturday too...

Got to GTR about 1:20 before the flight. Asked if it was oversold, agent confirmed it was and I put myself on the list. I was told if I was needed I would receive $622. My fare was $311, IIRC.

Turns out they didn't need either of us on the list and there were 2 seats available. The agent said it often happens when the game is televised and fully refundable tickets are booked by ESPN, donors, corporate execs, etc. in the event they cannot travel via corporate jet.

Was that $622 in cash or voucher?

BTR-MEM-PIT-ATL-BTR renting a car, staying near PIT though.

Ouch! Looks like only Y and B fares to/from BTR and very few seats into/from PIT on Friday and Sunday. ND/Pitt game is in PIT on Saturday too...

Yeah, I have a feeling I'm going to end up on AA/UA. It's going to be an ugly weekend. My only hope is that I can get time Saturday morning to go over to Shanksville, PA to check out the UA93 memorial...

Was that $622 in cash or voucher?

He didn't specify.

Yeah, I have a feeling I'm going to end up on AA/UA. It's going to be an ugly weekend. My only hope is that I can get time Saturday morning to go over to Shanksville, PA to check out the UA93 memorial...

If you see a guy in a white LSU visor there, say hey. Trying to figure out our schedule might end up there Sunday, though.

I took a VDB on a flight from ORD-DTW on Sunday. Earlier flight was delayed, they were looking for someone to volunteer, I had a previously scheduled 3:20layover at DTW. Taking the 1 hour later flight, still left me with over 2 hours to kill in DTW and for the inconvenience I got a $300 voucher and a guaranteed seat in F for the short flight. Sometimes a VDB is wonderful and costs nothing, in this case, still arrived home at exactly the same time I was supposed to and made money!

I wonder if it's an ASA thing. Sounds like you got the same offer I did, 2x ticket price.

I don't know all the ins and outs of denied boarding compensation, as this was my first experience with it.