1. College son called from Ontario, CA on a $59 RT ticket, should he volunteer? I said "FOOL! Run back!" Got free ticket to Alaska on UA. Went fly fishing for 2 weeks.

2. Got $1500 London to JFK on AA, put me up deluxe hotel, etc. I took great double decker tour of London - hadn't been in a while. Went out the next day. Had a blast. Could have done it again but needed to get home. Haven't spent it yet.

3. One lazy afternoon in San Diego, we volunteered all afternoon and racked up $600 each before we were finally forced to fly - on a $59 fare with AA. Went to Caribbean on the vouchers.

I love volunteering - except when you are not selected and end up in a middle seat somewhere separated from family. We have 2 vouchers for anywhere Reno flies and are still trying to figure out what to do with them. First class upgrades too.