We are holding two bf tickets to Lisbon leaving this friday coming back the 29th.

I saw that the plane was completely full. We can spend however an extra day in Lisbon and was wondering what CO gives you for giving up your seat. Are there any stategies that we should follow that would increase this amount?

I never flew CO before.

Also, I am not sure where my miles should go. Do you get EQM with Northwest Worldperks if you fly on a CO flight ( I booked a true CO flight, no codeshare ) ? The same for KLM: could I get EQM on the FD program when flying CO ?

The airline only makes offers when the flight is overbooked and more people show up than there are seats on the plane. What they offer depends on how many people they have to compensate for not flying on the same day. It's usualy starting from a $400 travel certificate and a hotel for the night. It might go up if needed.

Is there any difference between coach and first regarding the amount they offer ? I assume not if it's voluntary

However, if it's an involuntary bump, they must offer you more than 400$ I assume ?

Few years ago with Sabena they offered 1000$ if you wanted to be booted out of C (but they are gone so that might explain this generous offer )

While it's well-known that CO (and most airlines) will overbook their flights, this usually just applies to the coach cabin. I've never heard of them overselling the BF cabin. The Sabena story may explain why---Sabena probably had to offer hotel accommodations and meals in addition to the $1000. CO is much more frugal

I guess they would take BF passengers as volunteers but would not offer them anything more than coach passengers. If BF is full the next day, you might be in trouble ...

I'm actually off to LIS this weekend as well. I was told by a few people in the know that they will only take BF volunteers as a last resort, since that's one less seat that can be potentially sold tomorrow.

That said, I'm going to try as well.

You'd better be lucky because they'll only take BF volunteers as the last "possible" resort...

What type of tickets are you holding? Paid? Awards?

Northwest: "Elite Qualifying Fare Classes (or codeshare equivalent) on Continental-coded, Continental-operated flights (except where noted)
Elite Qualifying Miles at 150%: J, C, Z, Y, A, D, H
Elite Qualifying Miles at 100%: K, N, B, V, U
Elite Qualifying Miles at 50%*: Q, I, S, W, T, X, L
Elite Qualifying Segments: A, C, D, J, Z, Y, H "

aloha

I think i heard somewhere that if you are involuntarily bumped you can request cash instead of a voucher. Is there any truth to this?

From CO's Contract of Carriage:

"4) Compensation for Passengers Denied Boarding Involuntarily
a) Subject to the following exceptions, CO shall pay compensation to Passengers denied boarding involuntarily from an Oversold flight at the rate of 200% of the sum of the value of the Passenger�s remaining flight coupons up to the Passenger�s next Stopover, or if none, to the Passenger�s final destination with a maximum of $400. However, the compensation shall be half the amount described above, with a $200 maximum, if CO arranges for comparable air transportation, or other transportation used by the Passenger that, at the time either such arrangement is made, is planned to arrive at the airport of the Passenger�s next Stopover or if none, at the airport of the Passenger�s destination, not later than two hours after the time the direct or connecting flight on which confirmed space is held is planned to arrive in the case of interstate and overseas air transportation, or four hours after such time in the case of foreign air transportation."

"CO may offer free or reduced rate air transportation in lieu of monetary compensation due under this Rule, if the value of the transportation credit offered is equal to or greater than the monetary compensation otherwise required and CO informs the Passenger of the amount and that the
Passenger may decline the transportation credit."

aloha

You can usually get a cash refund for the remaining unused portion of your ticket, but then you have to make your own arrangements to get home.

I am holding a Z-class ticket.

I am planning to collect the miles through KLM (unless somebody tells me that those miles will *NOT* count as EQM miles in the FD program)

Your chances for involuntary bump with BF ticket are slim to none. By volunteering, you are giving yourself a chance to fly coach the next day (if BF is full).

I believe KLM counts all CO flights for EQM if I remember correctly. As far as getting bumped on the flight, I dobut it will happen. I've volunteered from my BF seat a couple of times knowing I didn't need to get overseas for another day and figuring someone else just might. Been told all times that they will not take a BF passenger as a volunteer because 1) it will mean someone who didn't pay for it gets a BF seat and 2) one less seat to sell the next day.

flyerCO

Thanks all, you answered my questions!

In 2001 I was on the EWR-HKG flight in BF and volunteers were requested for bumps. I don't remember the amount of the offer but it was extremely generous. Along with cash CO offered a flight later that day on AF in C. Due to schedule constraints I wasn't able to accept.