Last December, I volunteered for an oversold flight ATL - PHF. I was given $400 DD, hotel, vouchers for dinner and breakfast. I asked the gate agent if there was space on flights to ORF that night. Without checking, she said no.

Since it was relatively early (~7 PM), I headed to the CRC and got a drink. I checked with the CRC agent to check on the availability of flights to ORF. By golly, there were seats to ORF. She put me on the flight and since I had recently become a FO, she got me a V upgrade since they were still available. I was asked to give back the breakfast voucher and hotel voucher.

I ended up flying in F to an airport closer to home and got $400 DD for it. My bags were picked up by other members of my party and they picked me up on their way home from PHF.

Moral of the story: Just because one gate agent tells you no (when she didnt even check) doesnt mean you dont have options.