Take a bump for an upgrade?
Oct 20, 2013, 2:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 63
Take a bump for an upgrade?
Has anyone had any success negotiating a business/first upgrade (on their re-scheduled flight) for taking a bump? Or do people usually just take the certificate and go...
Just wondering if it worth negotiating. Thanks
Just wondering if it worth negotiating. Thanks
Oct 20, 2013, 2:33 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
I have always had success when the seat is available. I did this for a one hour bump ORD-ATL not too long ago, and have done it MYS-ATL, too.
Oct 20, 2013, 2:53 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Absolutely it as least worth asking. It has happened to me occasionally -but it has been a while since I took a bump.
Oct 20, 2013, 3:13 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: ATL
Programs: HH Diamond, DL plat, UA Silver, Marriott Platinum, IHG Gold, National Executive
Posts: 121
Routinely flying full flights in ATL, I have had success at least once a month. Just have to have the seat available
Oct 20, 2013, 3:23 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
By the time of a bump, if there's a seat up front, it's likely going as a freebie UG anyway, so giving it as part of a VDB is relatively easy.
Needless to say, some elite looking for the freebie/SWU is the loser here.
Needless to say, some elite looking for the freebie/SWU is the loser here.
Oct 20, 2013, 3:38 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
I have often negotiated an upgrade to domestic first or international business class when taking a VDB. Just depends on the situation, availability, etc.
Oct 20, 2013, 4:26 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: May 2013
Location: BOS
Posts: 317
I'd also say it depends on how many are volunteering. For instance, if they need 2 volunteers and 4 people offer to give up their seats and you're the one asking for F, whom do you think they'll look to take last?
I think this only works if they can't find volunteers and you're the only one who offers to take a bump pending a F seat on the next flight.
I think this only works if they can't find volunteers and you're the only one who offers to take a bump pending a F seat on the next flight.
Oct 20, 2013, 5:55 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
IN
A
HEARTBEAT
my last VDB was off BWI-ATL-LAX, when I saw an A319 instead of the expected A320 taxiing to the gate at BWI ... had to endure an E145 BWI-JFK, but 76W BE JFK-LAX more than compensated (of course the $400 voucher was a part of the deal as well)
Last edited by jrl767; Oct 20, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Oct 20, 2013, 5:58 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
Oct 20, 2013, 6:55 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Planet Earth(most days)
Programs: Hilton Honors, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 1,544
IN
A
HEARTBEAT
my last VDB was off BWI-ATL-LAX, when I saw an A319 instead of the expected A320 taxiing to the gate at BWI ... had to endure an E145 BWI-JFK, but 76W BE JFK-LAX more than compensated (of course the $400 voucher was a part of the deal as well)
A
HEARTBEAT
my last VDB was off BWI-ATL-LAX, when I saw an A319 instead of the expected A320 taxiing to the gate at BWI ... had to endure an E145 BWI-JFK, but 76W BE JFK-LAX more than compensated (of course the $400 voucher was a part of the deal as well)
Oct 20, 2013, 7:01 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
I'd also say it depends on how many are volunteering. For instance, if they need 2 volunteers and 4 people offer to give up their seats and you're the one asking for F, whom do you think they'll look to take last?
I think this only works if they can't find volunteers and you're the only one who offers to take a bump pending a F seat on the next flight.
I think this only works if they can't find volunteers and you're the only one who offers to take a bump pending a F seat on the next flight.
Oct 20, 2013, 7:03 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: DL PM, UA Silver, Nexus, Global Entry, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hertz 5 Star
Posts: 102
I usually have great success with this tactic. I generally just ask for the confirmed seat and don't worry about the voucher. The newest thing I tried, that was horribly unsuccessful, was to extend my sky club membership for a year. They were offering $600 in travel for a vdb and I told them, I didn't want the $600, I just wanted another year on my sky club membership. I was given an immediate, "great idea but not a chance..."
Oct 20, 2013, 7:11 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 63
This is more what I was trying to target. Vouchers are an OK incentive for me, but I've had a couple expire already because my leisure routes are usually better (price, route-wise) on other carriers. But arriving one hour later to my destination with a F seat? Totally worth it to me in most cases.