So, Empress. What happened? Were you able to give up your seat and fly later, and what compensation were you offered on a free ticket? Or were they putting overbooked passengers onto Cathay?

One Friday evening I was flying Canadian from Edmonton to Toronto on the last flight out (at 5pm) using a deeply discounted M-class ticket. There was no chance to use J/R-class upgrades since J-class was full, and it was clear from the crowds gathering that the rear cabin was full too. Sicne I had no need to be in that night, no hotel waiting, etc. I asked the Empress Club receptionist what the situation was with the Toronto flight. She confirmed it was going to be a problem for them since it was overbooked.

So, I went out to the gate agent (it was 45-minutes before boarding) and indicated I would be prepared to be voluntarily bumped if they needed to get some other passengers back home for the weekend. I had had the Empress Club receptionist check and so knew there was a Red-Eye out of Calgary, and another out of Vancouver, and that there was both economy and business space open on the one ex-Vancouver. The gate agent accepted my offer and I gave up my seat on the Toronto flight.

In exchange I was confirmed in J-class to Vancouver, where I picked up the Red Eye, also in J-class. I was also given a voucher for dinner until the Vancouver flight left at 7pm, as well as $100 cash. I suspect I could have asked for a domestic ticket or a few hundred dollars more if I'd taken in vouchers, but I was appreciative of the upgrades -- and full mileage credit without using any of my own stickers -- and being able to help someone who needed to get to Toronto sooner than I did, get home.

In most overbooking situations, as an elite member in Canadian Plus and Aeroplan, I find I am automatically upgraded if in economy should space be available on that same flight, or when I check in am offered the opportunity to take the next flight out, confirmed in J-class without the need to use upgrade stickers or coupons. A voucher for a few hundred dollars is also offered by way of compensation. I've never been bumped when flying in J-class, either when paying full fare, on an upgrade, or a free ticket. Must be the elite level status, though I suspect they never overbook the front cabin...

Or do they? Has anyone ever been bumped from the front cabin, either flying on a paid, up- grade or fee ticket?