Does VX really not overbook?
May 28, 2016, 6:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,299
Does VX really not overbook?
I just read in the FAQ sticky that VX doesn't oversell or overbook - does anyone know if this is true? Seems odd to me from a revenue management standpoint given no-shows.
The reason I ask:
I need to book a one-way CUN-SFO on June 7th and saw that VX has a non-stop. No seats are available for pre-assignment, so was really hoping for a MCS to be assigned at the airport, but it doesn't sound like that'll happen. I'm hoping that a Tuesday in a leisure market means very few elites and I'm more than willing to pay at T-6 if I can snag it, but the no overbooking thing just seems bizarre for an airline.
The reason I ask:
I need to book a one-way CUN-SFO on June 7th and saw that VX has a non-stop. No seats are available for pre-assignment, so was really hoping for a MCS to be assigned at the airport, but it doesn't sound like that'll happen. I'm hoping that a Tuesday in a leisure market means very few elites and I'm more than willing to pay at T-6 if I can snag it, but the no overbooking thing just seems bizarre for an airline.
May 28, 2016, 10:58 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,299
Interesting. You would think a flight in this market would have a lower chance of no-shows than say LAX-SFO, but something seems to be up with this specific flight. I know that seat maps are an unreliable indicator of loads, but there is only one MCS seat left for sale with 8 seats available on the map.
May 30, 2016, 12:42 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver, Hilton Gold, Hertz Pres Circle
Posts: 1,509
Often they overbook main cabin on flights where J and W loads tend to be a bit lower. I wouldn't count on a free upgrade, but availability for the T-24 upgrade is quite likely.
May 31, 2016, 1:22 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: AA EXP, DL Plat, VX Gold, VS Gold, HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 238
Interesting. You would think a flight in this market would have a lower chance of no-shows than say LAX-SFO, but something seems to be up with this specific flight. I know that seat maps are an unreliable indicator of loads, but there is only one MCS seat left for sale with 8 seats available on the map.
Jul 11, 2016, 2:43 am
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LAX
Programs: Virgin America Gold, Virgin Atlantic Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, B6 Mosaic, HHonors Gold
Posts: 215
They definitely overbook now. I believe up to 2% on flights with multiple frequencies a day. 1x daily flights aren't overbooked (at least as of now).
I found myself accidentally cancelling a MC flight to vegas over the holiday weekend and could not reinstate it (despite trying three seconds later) due to the fact it was overbooked. (Eventually 3 hours before departure a spare F seat opened up, so I ended up fine.)
I found myself accidentally cancelling a MC flight to vegas over the holiday weekend and could not reinstate it (despite trying three seconds later) due to the fact it was overbooked. (Eventually 3 hours before departure a spare F seat opened up, so I ended up fine.)
Jul 18, 2016, 10:25 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA GLD, Marriott PLT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,900
Flew VX for the very first time on Friday. DAL-DCA. My flight was not overbooked, but the flight to LGA at the adjacent gate was. I heard the announcement seeking volunteers with flexible travel plans.