VDB - rules?
 

Ok I searched for this but couldn't find a thread that was less than 5 years old.

I flew CDG-EWR last week (Jan. 2nd). The flight was oversold, so I asked what was offered for VDBs. I was told $600 in vouchers, that's it. Now, maybe I'm naif, but I thought you could get a lot more. I asked if I could get a seat in BF. My request was denied (after checking with a manager). I then asked if I would be allowed to wait for the following flight in the AF lounge. New call to the manager, and denied again. I mentioned I was elite (only silver), that a new year was starting and that after working hard to attain status, I was disappointed by their offer. But they obviously weren't very afraid of not having enough volunteers, and that was it.

Could I have gotten more (and how)? Is this the normal offer for VDBs on trans-atlantic flights? And does CO never give in to negotiations, or only in France (where no company ever cared about their client) ?

Be happy it wasnt out of TLV, there $500 voucher is the Max along with a Hotel in Tel-Aviv and transport to/from the Hotel

No BF, No Lounge

No negotiation @ TLV either but then they usually get more Vols then they need.

I am surprised that the opening bid was $600!

Nope, probably not. Check the contract of carriage and see what's offered for IDB's. If CO could get passengers out the next day, my guess would be that the IDB requirement is the ceiling.

IMHO, looking just at the voucher amount, $600 was a reasonable.
If I had to give it a letter grade it would be a B-

The lack of upgrade may have been simply been because of the lack of availability.
No lounge pass was just plain petty on the part of the agents.

ALSO:

Aren't IDB rules in European Union countries set by law (not contract of carriage)?

i thought the same thing. wasn't there all sorts of "fuss and feathers" a year or so ago about the new european union (EU) rules regarding delayed flights, cancellations, bumping, etc.?

IDB rules are, but VDB are not. If the passenger agrees to the VDB offer no need to IDB and meet the EU minimums.

As for CO upping the VDB offer to not have to IDB people, there is a fair amount of evidence here that CO will IDB people for more $$ than VDBs might require by not increasing the VDB offer.

You're probably referring to 261/2004. While there are regulatory requirements, there isn't a good enforcement mechanism. That being said, the statutory compensation requirement doesn't differ all that much from what CO offers in its Contract of Carriage. The major difference that I recall is the cash compensation ceiling of EU 600, which is close to $750 based on today's exchange rate. It's somewhat higher than the amount in the CoC.

CO typically has one of the highest IDB rates in the industry. I believe this is a result of not being generous enough on VDB offers.

I've seen them IDB people when a little more in voucher would have done the trick. So I'm not surprised at the hardline offer.

With that said, a $600 voucher sounds like a very good deal, especially since it was a same-day bump.

Yes, the later flight was leaving only 2 hours later. I was a fool not to accept it, and regretted it when in line for security. Unfortunately, it took me more than 30 minutes to clear it, and when I got to the GA, they did not need any more VDB. Oh well, fool me once...

Out of curiosity (and also because it would make a very interesting thread), what are the best offers folks have been getting as VDBs or IDBs on trans-atlantic flights? How often do you get a seat in BF if you were previously in coach?

Ive been bone dry for the past 2 yrs, before that it was a pourin. Most I got was $700 out of EWR. Never got BF or even offered it was told once, even though its available No Way. I usually got FIMed over to another Carrier or took CO into Europe and connected onward from there.

As a Plat I have access to any ST Lounge even if Im in Coach so the question about getting Lounge access never came up, since I have it.

as an aside, i always thought the bump vouchers amounts were determined by some department in houston via some beancounter computer model. i was surprised to learn recently (via a Flyertalk thread) that the amounts are actually determined by the station in which the flight takes place and that each station has a budgeted bump amount for each year. correct me if i am wrong, but i thought i read that here recently.

CO has 3 flights in this order a 777-757-767

If the VDB was to get off the 757 I would have jumped at it even for less then $600, if was off the 777 and onto the 757, I dont know if I would have jumped at the $600, thats a hrad call for me to make.

I have enough problems on a 757 or 737 TransConing it adding a couple of more hrs to that isnt easy for me, although the time will pass with trying to figure where and how to blow the VDB.

I would hav egrabbed it if getting off the 777 and being able to get onto the 767. I like a wide body since I have a few places to walk around and just stand and hang out, both of these cant be done on the 757 in much Comfort to me.

thats what happened to me, same trip EWR-TLV got me $700 was told to hang till the 90 at 10pm it was 4pm. Got them to FIM me instead, Hotel room denied.

TLV-EWR $500 not a penny more. Didnt have to ask for a hotel room they told me they will supply it as well as transport to/from the hotel. when I said EWR gave me $700 1 1/2 weeks ago, was told TLV has a Max of $500 per VDB nothing more. Then again TLV usually has plenty of people going up and asking if they need Vols that would grab the $500 in a sec. Never heard of a CO passenger being IDB out TLV due to lack of Vols

It's called supply and demand. I do domestic flights and it might be a bit easier to get people to VDB since we can put you on another flight within a few hours. The shorter the time between the flight I need you to get off from and the flight you will now be leaving, means less money that I offer. I tend to start low ($150) and offer more if I don't get any volunteers.

The lounges are not a tool that we are allowed to use. First class offerings are also rare.

Just remember you can also accept the initial offer of the VDB and should the GA need more volunteers and offers more you also get the higher amount.

$600 VDB for another flight in two hours is a great deal, you were silly not to take it.

:td::td::td:

CO is STUPID to allow g/a's to start with this ridiculous amount! That is why CO has a higher IDB rate then others. I have seen 6+ hours delay offered at $200 and IDB's given out due to the reluctance to move up on the VDB.

Heres to hoping that the US has a MAJOR increase in IDB rates, so hopefully CO will get its head out of its @ZZ!