How to get bumped

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Feb 15, 2011, 8:56 pm

patriots68

Original Poster

Join Date: May 2010

Location: BDL

Programs: DL PM, HHonors Silver

Posts: 440

How to get bumped

I'm flying for leisure this week/next and I'm wondering what the best strategy is for getting bumped, usually I can't miss my flights due to work commitments. I don't know what the odds are but seeing as it's school vacation week up here in MA/CT and I'm flying to MCO I figure there might be a chance.
Jeff

Feb 15, 2011, 9:16 pm

cmn.jcs

Join Date: Dec 2009

Location: WAS

Posts: 3,006

Quote:

Originally Posted by patriots68

You could get an ExpertFlyer trial subscription and look for flights that are zeroed out. If you have any ability to change flights for free (are you GM/PM/DM?), you might be able to try SDCing to a flight that is showing Y1 and hope that an IROP happens somewhere that forces a bunch of people onto your flight.

If you can't change flights, well, then it's pretty much luck. Hope you picked the flights well.

Happy travels!

Feb 15, 2011, 9:36 pm

traveltravel

Join Date: May 2004

Location: BNA

Programs: DL Platinum

Posts: 112

Important for bumps: be first (or second) to add your name to the volunteer list. It's a sad day when you're #2 on the list and they only need one!

Feb 16, 2011, 9:14 am

patriots68

Original Poster

Join Date: May 2010

Location: BDL

Programs: DL PM, HHonors Silver

Posts: 440

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveltravel

Important for bumps: be first (or second) to add your name to the volunteer list. It's a sad day when you're #2 on the list and they only need one!

can i add my name to the list via olci or do i need to do it at the airport, should i check in at the airport, check at the gate, or check at the sky club

Feb 16, 2011, 9:53 am

GBadger

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Generally, you can only add your name at the gate. Recently there have been reports of it being an option at OLCI (at DL's discretion), but few reports of that list actually being used. The gate is still your best bet.

Feb 16, 2011, 10:17 am

thepointsguy

Join Date: Nov 2005

Location: NYC

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Posts: 2,858

I wrote a blog post about getting bumped and some tips. Good luck!

Feb 16, 2011, 10:31 am

traveltravel

Join Date: May 2004

Location: BNA

Programs: DL Platinum

Posts: 112

Quote:

Originally Posted by patriots68

can i add my name to the list via olci or do i need to do it at the airport, should i check in at the airport, check at the gate, or check at the sky club

Speak to the GA at the gate.

Sometimes I'll ask at the counter (when checking baggage) if the flight is oversold to get an indication if there is a chance of a bump. A few years ago, the counter employee said he was heading to the gate to work my flight, and he said it was severely overbooked. He already knew he needed volunteers, so he took my name on the spot.