Originally Posted by
AClover
I am mostly wondering whether OCLI will minimize my chances as opposed to checkin at the airport and "volunterring" myself. The counter to that is I would be nervouse not doing OCLI for an oversold flight because I do not want to get bumped (but I am thinking that it's not too likely as the fare is T+ and I have a selected seat and status.)
Indeed, OLCI will not impact it. Really, it is up to the gate agent. There is a series of rules they follow, but IMHO the personal touch can make a difference.
I recommend discretely loitering at the gate so that you are among the first that gets to talk to the gate agent....~45 mins before departure. I am not sure if that really helps, but I would like to think that it does. In times where I know the Y cabin is oversold with space in J I have always done that....and I think I am hitting about an 80% success rate.
Say something like, "The agent at check in suggested I see you, given that the flight is showing oversold, and that she thought that with my status I might be good volunteer to move to the J cabin." or something like that.