Tried to SDC to an earlier flight yesterday. Except for first 6 am flight, all 4 UA YVR-SFO flights were unavailable. Which was quite unusual, must be cruise season. Did not attempt to SDC. Showed up 2 hours before flight time. Volunteered at kiosk.
At T-60, asked a gate agent, there were five of them instead of normal two, if there were still looking for volunteers. Immediately a more experienced looking agent replied yes, and asked if we had any check-in luggage which we did not have. She said that was the best. She then showed me available WestJet flight on her screen, departing 2:54 later. I asked for last UA flight, she said she would but that flight was over sold also. I then asked her how much was compensation. She replied $800, from the way she said it, I interpreted $800 for each one of us, not $800 for two of us. She asked me to go to the other end of counter so a less experienced looking agent would process our VDB.
I was standing next to less experienced agent while she processed us, I saw five volunteers, we were
#1 and
#2 volunteers. She followed steps and selected our scheduled delay arrival time. $400 popped up. I informed 2nd agent that 1st agent told us $800/PAX.
#2 agent confirmed with
#1 agent, then some more typing. I asked for meal vouchers because it was close to dinner time.
#2 agent again asked
#1 agent.
About ten minutes later, we each received an $800 VDB voucher and $14 Canadian meal voucher. Best VDB for me so far.
During all that time and until our original flight had boarded, did not hear any announcement for additional volunteers.