Increase odds of getting bumped?
Jul 2, 2011 | 9:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 12
Increase odds of getting bumped?
Is there a way to increase your odds of getting bumped? I am booked on a flight that looks like it is close to sold out and I would really like to stay in town a while longer. Should I check in early or late or does it not matter.
Jul 2, 2011 | 9:36 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 677
It won't really matter unless they have a definitely oversold situation. They will take your name if it is overbooked, but they won't let you know until the last minute if you are needed or not. If you need to stay in town, just use a Same-Day-Confirmed (free if you are Gold or above, otherwise it is $50). You would need to call 3 hours before the flight of your choice departs to be put on that one. Just make sure there is room on the flight you are wanting to move to before you miss your flight!
Jul 2, 2011 | 9:47 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.5MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold, OW Emerald, HY Globalist
Posts: 5,515
Looking at the seat map and seeing that there are only a few seats left is very, very, very poor method for determining how sold a flight is. Remember that many seats are held back until the airport for assignment.
Jul 2, 2011 | 2:09 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: Whatever's Cheapest, Accruing Miles, Redeeming for Premium Cabins, Not Chasing Status Unnecessarily
Posts: 2,265
buy as many coach tickets as you can for the flight and show up really early
That will most likely create an oversold opportunity.
That will most likely create an oversold opportunity.
Jul 2, 2011 | 3:13 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM - IC RA - HHonors Gold - Hertz Gold - AA - US - CO - Choice Privileges
Posts: 2,085
Checking in late will increase the odds you will miss your flight.
Day to day operations seldom result in bump opportunities. Out of the ordinary situations such as weather and mechanical often result in bump opportunities. The key is to be prepared to take advantage of such opportunities if you so desire. The information provided in ExpertFlyer and the information provided by the airline web site are good indications of the status of a flight. Ideally solo traveler, carry on luggage only, boarding pass in hand, at the gate 1 hour prior to departure to volunteer, remaining at the gate, alternate routes determined in advance, etc.
Day to day operations seldom result in bump opportunities. Out of the ordinary situations such as weather and mechanical often result in bump opportunities. The key is to be prepared to take advantage of such opportunities if you so desire. The information provided in ExpertFlyer and the information provided by the airline web site are good indications of the status of a flight. Ideally solo traveler, carry on luggage only, boarding pass in hand, at the gate 1 hour prior to departure to volunteer, remaining at the gate, alternate routes determined in advance, etc.
Jul 3, 2011 | 1:32 am
#7
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: DL Million Miler
Posts: 1,976
>>>>>>>buy as many coach tickets as you can for the flight and show up really early .... That will most likely create an oversold opportunity.
Except that you will need to buy them for friends who are willing to show up at the airport and fly on that flight. If nobody shows up to use all those tickets, they will not need you as a volunteer.
Except that you will need to buy them for friends who are willing to show up at the airport and fly on that flight. If nobody shows up to use all those tickets, they will not need you as a volunteer.