I just found this site and I'm glad there are others with my same hobby. I used to be pretty good about getting bumped on domestic carriers. International hasn't happened yet.

Here's something I hadn't realized was a bump. I was flying from the carribean on Delta through ATL. When I checked in, the agent said that I had be rescheduled on a different flight, leaving an hour earlier, on American non stop to my final destination because of difficulties. Just what, she didn't say.

I asked if the AA flight was full (big difference between full, sold out, and over sold) she said it was "pretty full". I had her check other airlines and that was the only one. She was looking at me funny so I explained that I wanted to get a travel voucher for being bumped. (I meant on my new flight) She sighed and said, yes, I would get the Delta dollars for the flight there were changing me from. Huh? I don't know if its the same for other airlines, but when Delta reschedules you on a different flight, you get Delta Dollars travel vouchers. But, you MUST ask, they are not required to tell you. She thought I was asking.

I bypassed the AA counter & went to a customer service counter to check in. It was 3 hours before the gate opened and I NEVER go to the check in counter. Anyway, I volunteered & was first on the list. I was then first in line when the gate opened & ask to volunteer. The AA agent said that their policy on that island is to take locals as volunteers because they don't include hotel. I explained that I wanted to be bumped.

He explained AA's policy. They announce $300 because they are supposed to but they are prepared to start at $500. Huh? So, when no one volunteers at $300 they seem like they are going up. He said I was guarenteed a minimum of $500 even though the announcement would be for $300. I also said I wanted to be booked in first class on the next over sold or sold out flight. He said ok. I learned that on continental.

Continental gives the choice of a dollar amount voucher OR a ticket for anywhere in the western hemisphere except Hawaii. They were firm with their $300 offer on a memorial day flight from ERW-TPA. Since it wasn't going up, I took the voucher & went to Rio for Carnival last year. That ticket was A LOT more than $300 so I think I did well.