I have been thinking this as well. When I was in college and in grad school, I'd kill for a bump so I could go somewhere on a road trip. I was on US a lot and seems like I got $$$ or the free tickets qualified for points b/c I managed to get Preferred Plus that way.

Last time I took a bump was a couple years ago from SFO-SEA during the holidays. Mrs. Dog and I took the bump and got on a flight an hour later and got the free tickets (didn't know about negotiating for vouchers). Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but those tickets have waaaaay too many restrictions for my travel plans... for one thing, I'm lucky to know 21 days in advance if I'm going to go somewhere.

I'm finding myself fighting more often than not to fly standby to get home earlier vs. the other way around.