mymiles2go

Ok folks; consider this a gift to all FT'ers.

At a point in the past 2-3 weeks, I obtained a copy of the complete rules for VDB’s printed out from a UA printer. This was not done from an angel of any sort, just a random UA employee at a random airport (not my usuall for any stalkers out there) that I walked up to with a question regarding various items (I'm being very vague on purpose in case you can’t tell). I have scrubbed out all incriminating evidence (employee ID, time, date, etc..., and a few select FT’ers proofread that info prior to me scrubbing it as well as verified authenticity). Anyways, on to the content... the big kicker here is the $$$ vouchers instead of free tickets. I've had quite a bit of success in this arena since getting this document. Although I've never had to show it, I instead simply offer the agents that after they are done boarding I will walk them through how to give out $$$ vouchers instead of free tickets. Which is basically as simple as telling them when the screen shows them compensation options (it presents A) Free Ticket B) other) to choose other, and then select the appropriate amount. It does REQUIRE supervisor status to do this, which based on my experience doesn’t seem to be too hard to obtain.

There was one case where agents flat out said “No, not in Ch11", and a few "Sorry, I can't do vouchers" and I've not pushed it, knowing that I'll get bumped again on another flight in just a few days (my flights are always oversold, as they are overstuffed UAX flights that were once mainline UA).

The scanned text is located at:
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...UAL/DENIED-VDB and then click on Rules. If someone can OCR this, that would be great, much more usefull than large files.

Anyways...hope this helps.

Moderator's Note - Archive of older posts may be found here http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-boarding.html

Wingnut

I got my first bump last Saturday, JFK-LHR. It was the first time I'd tried for a bump, and I researched a lot of threads here beforehand. I thought it might be useful to summarise what I'd learnt from both others' posts and my own experiences.

1. Keep an eye on how full your flight is (I used UA's booking tool in "expert" mode). On my flight, everything in Y and C was zeroed out, and F was down to only a few seats available.

2. Check-in early, but don't go mad. Apparently the VDB list (that's voluntary denied boarding) clears by status, then fare, then time added to the list. On a long haul flight with an overnight bump, it's not a particularly popular pastime given that most people have plans. The chances of there being someone with both your status and fare on the list are slim.

3. At check-in, get your seat-assignment if you don't already have it. Then politely enquire about how full the flight is, and say you're willing to bump and would they put you on the list. Even if they say they're unlikely to need you, still ask to be put on the list anyway just in case. They will give you a "departure management card" which is printed on boarding card stock which says something along the lines of "thank you for volunteering; if we need you, we'll see you right". Providing you have a seat assignment, you won't lose it unless they actually bump you, so don't worry about volunteering and ending up losing your E+ aisle seat and ending up down the back in the middle.

4. Don't worry if you have checked bags. Providing you ask to go on the list at check-in, they will tag your bags as if you were a "stand-by" passenger, meaning that your bags won't be loaded till you actually board.

5. You need to be at the gate when it opens (an hour before) but not before, so go shopping, hang out at the RCC, whatever. When the gate opens, wait a few minutes until the already harrassed gate agent has been hassled by a bunch of people wanting seat assignments and upgrades. Approach the gate agent and say (in an adaptation of PremEx's The Speech: "I just wanted to let you know that if you need my seat I'm happy to be bumped. I'm already on the list, my name's Wingnut and I'll be sitting just over there" (select a seat near the gate within the agent's line of sight).

6. Wait to be called. Catch the gate agent's eye now and then and smile sympathetically with a smile that says "I feel your pain. You're having an awful shift and all your passengers are being so unreasonable. Remember, I'm here to make your life easier." Practise that smile in the hotel before you go to the airport.

7. Don't board until the last possible minute. Check with the gate agent before boarding that they're not going to need you.

8. When called, go up to the podium but don't get into the negotiation unless they have the time. If necessary wait until the flight has gone.

9. When it happened to me, they offered $400 in vouchers over the PA (plus accommodation and food and a guaranteed seat on the next, also oversold, flight). My vouchers had been printed off when they raised to offer to $500 to try to get more volunteers. My vouchers were voided and increased without being asked. I was in the Ramada JFK for the night (UA's rate $119 if anyone's interested) and got $35 in food vouchers to be used at the hotel or at the airport. I had been waitlisted for upgrade, and got this confirmed on the next flight (I had to ask for this, "I don't suppose there's any chance you could confirm my upgrade on tomorrow's flight?". Providing you've not been pushy, they're very grateful that you've made their lives easier and will do most things within reason. I was aware from reading the threads that I ought to have got $600 for this bump, but I didn't know what the Apollo Code was (S*UAL/DENIED-VDB, good thread here), and the gate agent was only offering what her supervisor had authorised. Given that they'd confirmed my upgrade on the next flight, and that was worth at least $100 to me, I didn't push it. Also, I was going to try for a bump on the next flight (didn't get it in the end) and was aware that the same gate agents might be on duty the next day (which they were)...

Hope that helps others lose their bump cherry.

goalie

goalie-parents just VDB'd off UA266 DEN-MIA to UA902/UX7641 DEN-IAD-MIA

^ $800 in t/c's ($400x2)
^ Full-Y rebook in e+
Couldn't get C or f on 902 (777x3 booked full)

evj

I just had my first VDB experience.

The flight I was on was oversold by one. The GA called my name and asked me if I would give up my seat. He offered 4 x $100 in travel vouchers (this was a flight from Canada to US) and he was able to book me on a flight 20 minutes later than my original one. From what I have read here on FT it seemed like a good very deal so I took it.

I got re-booked in a aisle E+ seat (better than my original seat, which was aisle in E-). I sheepishly asked about upgrade to F but the GA pretty much ignored me and I didn't feel like persisting. The GA that issued my new BP was not the same as the GA who offered the bump, and she seemed quite disengaged and not thrilled to be there. The first GA was just the opposite, very polite and thankful that I took his offer.

As I said, I wasn't going to push the upgrade issue as I felt that I was already getting a good deal for a 20 min delay, however once we boarded I noticed that F had 4 empty seats. Oh well, if it happens another time I will try harder and maybe mention it to the GA who gives the offer.

Overall, it was handled very well and 2 of the GA specifically came over to thank me for helping out.

Antipode

evj that seems like an excellent bump since you were only delayed 20 minutes. Since you're listed as 2P, if there were open F seats, you should have been able to upgrade into it. IME when bumped off a flight, the agent doesn't always add you to the upgrade list, so I specifically ask to be added to the upgrade list. Then check at the gate (if they have gate monitors) to verify that you're on the list. Even if the agent who processed your bump didn't put you directly in F, you would have been upgraded into F.

evj

thanks antipode, that's a very good suggestion. If it happens again I will make sure to ask to get manually added to the upgrade list. I just assumed that it will automatically happen (there were no gate monitors to double-check) and since I didn't get F, I figured it was full.

Cheerfulflyer

Received 400 TCs on the SFO-IAD flight yesterday. Also got hotel (Hyatt: Yay since it is my preferred Hotel!) and meal voucher. Was rebooked in full Y for following morning flight out. First bump of the year and that too over a herd of folks who had all previously signed up to volunteer but only one seat was needed. ^

harry0233

I have an MR next week. SEA-SFO-BWI-SFO-SEA.

If I get bump at SEA-SFO or SFO-BWI segment, can I rebook the return flight for free?

TA

It should be possible, but you would need to ask at the time. I would suggest asking the agent if he/she has time to help you with the change on the spot, or if not, then to note in your record to allow you to make a change later through reservations without charge.

goalie

And to add, have as many flight options (in your order of preference (i.e. max eqm's & preferred a/c type ) available as that will help any agent during any re-booking situation. I've been thanked by agents for "being so prepared" and also got a "boy, you sure know your stuff as I didn't even think of that routing but are you sure you want to go XXX-YYY-ZZZ-HOME"

ORD-LIH

Not sure if anyone else was on UA137 MIA-ORD last night but they ended up VDB'ing about 8-12 customers after they assigned an entire row of seats that didn't exist. I don't think it was an equipment swap as I showed the A320 the entire time while trying to handicap UDU odds.

In any event, they board the flight and people are playing musical chairs as at least three customers have been assigned the same seat, then they realize the last of the seat assignments handed out by the GA don't even exist. I had put myself on the VDB list at check-in but as we were already on a gate hold 10 minutes past departure the GA just comes over the intercom on the plane and says "we're looking for volunteers". At least 8 customers scurry off from coach. I didn't even want to begin to get involved with that mess. They end up loading 4-5 pax that had incorrect seat assignments back on and the plane ends up going out with at least two empty seats in Y (from what I could see). They made up the 40 minute delay in the air at least but I hadn't seen a cluster like that out of UAL in a while.

I know MIA doesn't handle many flights but how does the GA not even realize what kind of equipment he/she has sitting at the gate?

Starting 2011 off right.

SEA1K4EVR

There are 2 kinds of A320s...the ones that have always had 2 classes and the ex-Ted A320's. ex-Ted's have an extra row of economy seats and are missing closets and half of the galley in first class. It must have been a swap between different A320 versions. Regardless, yes the GA should have known in advance this was happening.

ORD-LIH

That makes sense, I forgot about the Ted aircraft coming back into 2-class operations. Thanks for the reminder.

FreFly

I always wondered how this can happen. Even in pre-OLCI times, there were situations when two pax with a boarding pass for the same seat show up on the plane. When boarding passes are issued, the airline must know this is happening. Why not resolve it at this time?

mahasamatman

MIA is one location that's often associated with both "comical" and "tragic".