Nov 30, 2018, 8:49 am
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.)
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.)
Compensation: “Bumps” — Voluntary and Involuntary Denied Boarding [2000-2019]
Aug 31, 2010, 11:00 am
#286
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 887
Several agents I asked confirmed the same thing. $400 voucher good for a year to be used like cash, since I would be delayed by more than 4 hours. Supposedly they would pay for a hotel, ground transportation to their hotel, and meals. Passengers paying cash would also receive a refund of this portion of their itinerary, or half the roundtrip price. Passengers on an award ticket, like me, would get half their SkyMiles back. But I wouldn't arrive in JFK until late the next day, I had things to do waiting at home for me, and I had an assigned seat. So the gate agents agreed that it's in my best interest to board as originally planned. In the end, the gate agent got 3 volunteers and 1 involuntary.
Dec 26, 2010, 1:52 pm
#287
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: NY
Programs: AA Plat 1MM, IC RA, HH Gold
Posts: 2,791
Not a regular DL flyer but was scheduled to fly on an IAD-JFK flight yesterday. Arrived at the gate after spending time at the Admirals Club. As I sat down, an announcement was made for volunteers offering $400. Since my final destination was NY, I approached the counter and stated that I could accept a flight to either JFK or LGA. They gave me a $400 voucher, a $6 meal voucher and a voucher for a taxi to DCA to catch a DCA-JFK flight arriving 2 1/2 hours later. Was very pleased since I only paid $68 for the one way ticket! 
Dec 27, 2010, 10:47 am
#288
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: EDI, CGN, NYC
Programs: LH-SEN, DL-Platinum
Posts: 973
VDB compensation, Delta contact
Hi, Delta folks. I'm new to this forum (I spend most of my time on the LH forum).
My in-laws are booked tomorrow FRA-ATL. The online checkin indicates that DL is looking for volunteers to take a flight another day. My in-laws would be willing to do this if the compensation was right, but would really prefer not to travel to FRA at 5:30 tomorrow morning in order to find out.
The DL number in the US seems to be down and their European call centers seem to have no authority to discuss compensation.
What's standard in this situation? They'd be willing to go any time in the next 4 or 5 days if they could get upgraded to business class.
Any hints on how to contact someone at DL beyond the usual US phone numbers?
Thanks for your help.
My in-laws are booked tomorrow FRA-ATL. The online checkin indicates that DL is looking for volunteers to take a flight another day. My in-laws would be willing to do this if the compensation was right, but would really prefer not to travel to FRA at 5:30 tomorrow morning in order to find out.
The DL number in the US seems to be down and their European call centers seem to have no authority to discuss compensation.
What's standard in this situation? They'd be willing to go any time in the next 4 or 5 days if they could get upgraded to business class.
Any hints on how to contact someone at DL beyond the usual US phone numbers?
Thanks for your help.
Dec 27, 2010, 10:56 am
#289
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
As a general rule this is done at the gate. What did it say on the checkin? Did it say "ask at airport" If so, they meant it. Sorry!
Dec 27, 2010, 10:57 am
#290
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MKE
Programs: DL-MM-Diamond HH-Diamond
Posts: 3,218
This is only done at airport, because there might be other no shows and they would be able to fly and not need to volunteer
Dec 27, 2010, 10:57 am
#291
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: EDI, CGN, NYC
Programs: LH-SEN, DL-Platinum
Posts: 973
I'll keep trying the US 800 number... although seems a hopeless case given the east coast weather.
Dec 27, 2010, 11:00 am
#292
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: JFK/LGA
Posts: 1,423
just because you put your name on the list it does not mean you will be VDB so you would still have to go to the airport. The list is just because they expect to potentially be in an oversell situation and will need volunteers and they would rather know ahead of time who has the most flexibility
Dec 27, 2010, 11:05 am
#293
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: EDI, CGN, NYC
Programs: LH-SEN, DL-Platinum
Posts: 973
just because you put your name on the list it does not mean you will be VDB so you would still have to go to the airport. The list is just because they expect to potentially be in an oversell situation and will need volunteers and they would rather know ahead of time who has the most flexibility
Dec 27, 2010, 11:06 am
#294
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta 2M DM, Southwest A List and CP
Posts: 1,102
The usual procedure is that unless one is rebooked ahead of time (and that negates the right to compensation) one needs to be at the airport in time to catch the flight, as there is no guarantee that they will need volunteers (for example, there may be a lot of no-shows or people who missed a connection). Indication of being willing to volunteer upon check-in does not mean that they will actually need your seat. The amount of compensation depends on how much the flight is overbooked, and there is no set standard; for international flights often it is $500 or so in the form of a Delta voucher. I would think that this time of year business class will be pretty much filled due to IRROPS (irregular operations). I do not think there is a way around showing up at the airport in time for the flight if one wants to be a compensated volunteer....
Dec 27, 2010, 11:07 am
#295
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,276
Usually depends on the time it takes for them to get you out on another flight. For anything greater than 2 hours, $400 tends to be a minimum. Not sure how this is affected by the rollout of the PMNW bidding system.
Dec 27, 2010, 11:08 am
#296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
The usual procedure is that unless one is rebooked ahead of time (and that negates the right to compensation) one needs to be at the airport in time to catch the flight, as there is no guarantee that they will need volunteers (for example, there may be a lot of no-shows or people who missed a connection). Indication of being willing to volunteer upon check-in does not mean that they will actually need your seat. The amount of compensation depends on how much the flight is overbooked, and there is no set standard; for international flights often it is $500 or so in the form of a Delta voucher. I would think that this time of year business class will be pretty much filled due to IRROPS (irregular operations). I do not think there is a way around showing up at the airport in time for the flight if one wants to be a compensated volunteer....
There have been a few reports of people receiving phone calls from Delta offering a voucher and a re-route a few days in advance but those are few and far between. Your only option is to go to the airport and see what the situation is.
Dec 27, 2010, 11:08 am
#297
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Never say never, but I don't believe you will arrange for VDB anywhere but at the airport within three hours of scheduled departure. A weather cancellation or a bunch of no-shows could 'solve' the day's problem so Delta is unlikely to commit to compensation well in advance.
Last edited by 3Cforme; Dec 27, 2010 at 3:00 pm
Dec 27, 2010, 11:17 am
#298
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
Dec 27, 2010, 11:22 am
#299
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Bye Delta
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Plat, Marriott Plat, Nat'l Exec Elite, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 16,276
I have heard $800 as of late.
Never say never, but I don't believe you will arrange for VDB anywhere but at the airport within three hour of scheduled departure. A weather cancellation or a bunch of no-shows could 'solve' the day's problem so Delta is unlikely to commit to compensation well in advance.
Never say never, but I don't believe you will arrange for VDB anywhere but at the airport within three hour of scheduled departure. A weather cancellation or a bunch of no-shows could 'solve' the day's problem so Delta is unlikely to commit to compensation well in advance.
Dec 27, 2010, 11:25 am
#300
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K (MM), DL, AA, AS, HHonors, SPG, Kimpton, Hyatt, IC PC, Marriott Titanium (LT PLT), Hertz PC
Posts: 7,231
Inefficient for everyone except the airline. This is the only way that they can make sure that they're not giving out VDBs unnecessarily. As others have said, missed connections, changed flight plans, etc. make it really easy for oversold flights to just become full.