Yes, the other airline needs to release your ticket first. If you are planning on using this program, you should not check in for your flight. It will make it much easier to switch to NWA. If it is a multi segment trip the other airline involve needs to release all segments of the trip to make it work for you and NWA. It is a good program and I think NWA is wise to keep it available. A goodwill gesture that hopefully will Bring Us(NWA) More Passengers. I think if you use the term BUMP most agents will think you are trying to give up your seat on NWA instead of trying to get a seat.