Congratulations on your 3X$1000 voucher.
Question 1: These vouchers (I have 3, they are $1k each) say they cannot be combined when buying a new ticket. Does anyone know if that is really the case? Is it different if I call and pay the phone booking fee? Also, are they really limited to UA metal? Or just UA flight numbers, regardless of metal? (Or any * ticketed by UA?) Anyone have experience here?
It is really the case - only one per booking. UA does have the authority to combine ETCs. But it is in its sole discretion.
All UA ETCs can be used for UA and UAX flights only. Codeshare are not allowed.
Question 2: I need to fly NYC-LON again very soon. Need to book ASAP, be in LHR July 1 and 2, and have to keep the ticket under $2,200.
Other than that, I'm very flexible - depart/return dates I can do +/- 3 and I have a couch to crash on in London - so I'm happy to take my chances, even last-minute.
Given the above, how do I maximize my potential for getting bumped?
Are there any tools I should know about other than UA's 'expert mode' for search?
Considering schedules and summer weather, do you think Y8 on a 9:00am departure EWRLHR is worth more/less than Y8 on the departure 12 hours later?
[Are there any UA-specific threads about voluntary bumps that I should read up on? (I looked but didn't see any)]
Actually - there is no way. Too many variable for getting bumped.
Expert mode can be only used as a reference. It is not always the indicator for potential bump.
The VDB thread is here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ua-2013-a.html
Last but not the least - $1000 offer or triple bump is rare. With both combined, extremely rare.
My 2 cents - don't keep your hope high. Nowadays, typical VDB offer is about $150-300.