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Compensation: “Bumps” — Voluntary and Involuntary Denied Boarding [2000-2019]

Old Nov 30, 2018, 8:49 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: ryandc99
Link to open 2020 and beyond version of this thread:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delt...20-beyond.html


My (LoganFlyer's) guide to maximizing your bump chances on Delta:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/30484249-post1713.html

(The concise version:

1. Use the App to see if more people are looking for seats than there are seats available. As part of the Customer Commitment, gate agents, phone res agents, and tickets agents must tell you if a flight is overbooked if you ask. (They don't need to say by how many seats.)
2. Do everything you can to get on the volunteer list through OLCI or a kiosk at the airport, since some GAs use that list.
3. Talk to the GA as soon as the gate opens up--don't wait for them to make an announcement.
4. Don't be afraid to negotiate with the GA.)
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Compensation: “Bumps” — Voluntary and Involuntary Denied Boarding [2000-2019]

Old Nov 15, 2018, 8:25 pm
  #1696  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: PSC
Programs: Hilton Diamond/IHG Platinum/DL Plutononium
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Originally Posted by lexi
I was trying to fly out of DCA today. Lots of flight delays and cancellations due to the weather. I kept an eye on my flight (scheduled to depart in the evening), but it kept saying "on time." Early afternoon, I received a notice from Delta informing me my flight was cancelled. I immediately logged into Delta's website and picked flights where I could get non-middle seats (knowing the planes would fill up fast). Lucked out and got an aisle in the Main Cabin on the first leg and window Comfort + on the second leg (original flight was a direct flight and I'm a lowly Silver, so I'd count the new flights as a win).

When I checked in at the kiosk when I arrived at the airport, it indicated they were soliciting volunteers. I clicked "yes" to volunteer and selected $500, then printed my new boarding passes.

When I got to the gate I parked myself as close to the desk as possible. About 75 minutes prior to the flight I overheard the gate agents talking about my flight. The red coat asked the gate agent what she was doing and she said she was rebooking passengers on new flights (presumably standbys that weren't going to get seats). The red coat asked, "aren't you going to ask for volunteers first?" I stepped up and confirmed they were discussing my flight to ATL and the red coat said yes. I said I wanted to volunteer. She said, "great!" I said, "I'll stand right over here until you need me."

About twenty minutes later the gate agent called me up to the desk, confirmed my final destination, and started looking for new flights for me. No other flights would get me home tonight, so volunteering would require an overnight stay. I said I'd take the bump if they provided overnight lodging and as long as I received the same amount as the highest bid when they announced the need for volunteers. She agreed.

I felt like I was taking a gamble since we discussed no dollar amounts, but I decided to see how it played out.

Just after she finished protecting me on new flights, the flight changed to a new gate. I asked the gate agent if I should stay here with her to finish the voucher process or go to the new gate. She escorted me to the new gate where the red coat was now stationed. The red coat then proceeded to process my VDB.

She asked me how much we had agreed to. I said we didn't agree to any amount. She said how much did you bid at the kiosk. I avoided the question. She then said how much do you want? About that time, the new gate agent was starting to look up my bid in the system. I told the red coat, "How about a thousand bucks?" She said ok. The gate agent protested as she saw I had only bid $500. The red coat dismissed her and said, "it'll take a thousand to get all the volunteers we need anyway."

She started to process my voucher and I insisted that I wanted to be sure I got the same amount as the highest bid in case they didn't get enough volunteers. I said, I can wait until you close out the flight. She agreed. They then announced that they were offering $1,000 vouchers and they needed seven more volunteers. People couldn't run to the desk fast enough.

Needless to say they got all the volunteers they needed. I still got my $1,000 voucher, $45 in meal vouchers, and a hotel voucher.
Nice, big win. All on a DCA-ATL flight.
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Old Nov 17, 2018, 12:20 pm
  #1697  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 2
Potential Bump on LAX-MSP route tomorrow!

Just checked in for a direct flight from LAX to MSP for tomorrow at 11am and was prompted with the volunteer bumping screen. Put my conservative bid in and hoping for the best! Has anyone ever called the airline ahead of time to see how many it's oversold by?
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Old Nov 17, 2018, 12:28 pm
  #1698  
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Now in SLC
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I have asked when I've called for other issues. Sometimes the phone agent will divulge that info, but usually not. Technically, they're only required to tell you whether it's oversold or not, not how much it's oversold by. Good luck!
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Old Nov 17, 2018, 12:29 pm
  #1699  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 2
Thanks! I'll update with any info I receive.

Update: Called customer service and he said it was “oversold by a couple” but not to worry. Guess we’ll wait and see!

Last edited by dftbkatie; Nov 17, 2018 at 4:56 pm Reason: Additional Info
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Old Nov 18, 2018, 6:53 am
  #1700  
 
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ATL to BNA 11/17/18

They started off offering $300, then went up to $800, which caused a line. They were asking for 7 volunteers to take a later (same day) flight, I volunteered but they ended up not needing me and most of the other volunteers, but I think a couple lucky people did get the $800 vouchers.
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Old Nov 18, 2018, 8:08 am
  #1701  
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
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Originally Posted by defrosted
They started off offering $300, then went up to $800, which caused a line. They were asking for 7 volunteers to take a later (same day) flight, I volunteered but they ended up not needing me and most of the other volunteers, but I think a couple lucky people did get the $800 vouchers.
When there are lots and lots needed, like in this case, try to be the first one to volunteer. They always go with the first person in line (the online list doesn't matter). Even if the offer starts low, sign up. Worst thing that can happen is you decline if you're not happy with the offer and force them to either up it on the spot or go with someone else.

Same thing happened to me on DL609 on Friday evening... there were 12 volunteers needed on that ATL-MCO flight, price went up to $800, but ultimately there were a ton of local no-shows and everyone boarded... flight went out exactly even (they held me until the very last second before allowing me to board, and the door closed behind me). Disappointment...... would have loved the AMEX card to spend on UA flights.
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Old Nov 18, 2018, 12:03 pm
  #1702  
 
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Originally Posted by jjmoore
When there are lots and lots needed, like in this case, try to be the first one to volunteer. They always go with the first person in line (the online list doesn't matter). Even if the offer starts low, sign up. Worst thing that can happen is you decline if you're not happy with the offer and force them to either up it on the spot or go with someone else.
There is no "always" when it comes to vouchers. I have never received a voucher in a consistent manor. As an example....one time each, even though I was first in line, I have been denied a voucher because they DID use the list, someone had higher status, I had an international itinerary, I did not speak spanish, etc etc. VDBs are like a box of chocolates...you never know what you are going to get.
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Old Nov 18, 2018, 4:12 pm
  #1703  
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,424
Originally Posted by pgh234
There is no "always" when it comes to vouchers. I have never received a voucher in a consistent manor. As an example....one time each, even though I was first in line, I have been denied a voucher because they DID use the list, someone had higher status, I had an international itinerary, I did not speak spanish, etc etc. VDBs are like a box of chocolates...you never know what you are going to get.
Yep...selection of volunteers is up to the GA. They can pretty much choose who they VDB.
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Old Nov 18, 2018, 6:06 pm
  #1704  
 
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Originally Posted by OHDL1
Yep...selection of volunteers is up to the GA. They can pretty much choose who they VDB.
I can tell you from my experience, being first in line at the podium maximizes your chances. You're right that it's up to the GA, but if you come up there, act respectfully, and have your backup options in hand, it makes their lives easier and you will likely be the first one to be bumped, regardless of status. This was the case for me (no status on DL currently), and I was their #1 , and hence, the last one to board. This is usually the case when I try to bump on AA and DL, but it all comes down to how you approach the situation.
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Old Nov 19, 2018, 9:22 am
  #1705  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: San Francisco
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Gate agent came on board SFO-DTW on Sat after everyone had boarded and asked for 9 volunteers for a $1k gift card. I took it; eventually it was bumped up to $1.2k to get the 9 people needed.

I ended up with $1.2k + $100 eCredit + 10k miles + seat in F on a flight the next day, not too bad. (Even got the 100% MQM bonus)
olegator, jjmoore and btonkid12345 like this.

Last edited by dlflyer00; Nov 19, 2018 at 9:30 am
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Old Nov 19, 2018, 1:55 pm
  #1706  
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Originally Posted by dlflyer00
Gate agent came on board SFO-DTW on Sat after everyone had boarded and asked for 9 volunteers for a $1k gift card. I took it; eventually it was bumped up to $1.2k to get the 9 people needed.

I ended up with $1.2k + $100 eCredit + 10k miles + seat in F on a flight the next day, not too bad. (Even got the 100% MQM bonus)
Nice score.

I wonder how a Gate Agent can go through the whole boarding process before realizing that the flight is not only oversold, but it's over by 9!!! SFO is not a connecting airport for DL so it's not like there are possible connections they'd be waiting for. Did you happen to notice if it was one big group of 9?
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Old Nov 19, 2018, 2:49 pm
  #1707  
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
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Originally Posted by FSUnole03
Nice score.

I wonder how a Gate Agent can go through the whole boarding process before realizing that the flight is not only oversold, but it's over by 9!!! SFO is not a connecting airport for DL so it's not like there are possible connections they'd be waiting for. Did you happen to notice if it was one big group of 9?
No, they seemed to be individuals; one asked me if people were getting off. The only thing I noticed is that >10 people cleared standby, so I’m not sure if the gate agent accidentally gave away seats or what.

It did not appear to be the record that day, though — I overheard the gate agent exclaim that an AC flight he was trying to rebook another volunteer onto was oversold by 21.
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Old Nov 19, 2018, 5:31 pm
  #1708  
 
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Originally Posted by dlflyer00


No, they seemed to be individuals; one asked me if people were getting off. The only thing I noticed is that >10 people cleared standby, so I’m not sure if the gate agent accidentally gave away seats or what.

It did not appear to be the record that day, though — I overheard the gate agent exclaim that an AC flight he was trying to rebook another volunteer onto was oversold by 21.
Could have been a last moment weight issue, or last moment crew movements due to irrops.... a few variables could have been in play.
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Old Nov 20, 2018, 6:42 pm
  #1709  
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Originally Posted by dlflyer00


No, they seemed to be individuals; one asked me if people were getting off. The only thing I noticed is that >10 people cleared standby, so I’m not sure if the gate agent accidentally gave away seats or what.

It did not appear to be the record that day, though — I overheard the gate agent exclaim that an AC flight he was trying to rebook another volunteer onto was oversold by 21.
If they're real standbys (nonrev) they're certainly willing to pull them off. I'm not sure about cleared SDS.

I expect it was crews they were moving around, the mess on the East Coast caused a lot of that.
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Old Nov 23, 2018, 1:01 pm
  #1710  
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Originally Posted by sethb
If they're real standbys (nonrev) they're certainly willing to pull them off. I'm not sure about cleared SDS.

I expect it was crews they were moving around, the mess on the East Coast caused a lot of that.
Was wondering that too, but wasn’t sure if DL has a crew base in SFO?
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