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]
Sep 22, 2013, 10:51 am
#511
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, DL DM HH Gold, Marriot Titanium
Posts: 1,298
I enjoy a good VDB now and again, but don't have an effective strategy to put myself in VDB situations. Anyone have a more reliable strategy (more reliable than just book Friday/Sunday flights)?
Sep 22, 2013, 11:15 am
#512
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Auckland, NZ/New York, NY/ATL
Programs: DL DM MM, BIS 2.4MM, EK Gold, SQ Gold, Marriott Gold, HH Gold,
Posts: 5,223
Sep 22, 2013, 12:16 pm
#513
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: DL exDM MM
Posts: 762
I do not mind multiple treads addressing different topics relating to the same trip. I do the same with emails when there are different issues to be addressed. I find that many threads get off-topic when there are many issues to be discussed.
Sep 22, 2013, 12:21 pm
#514
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
I understand your point. I dropped the reticketing issue, but I'm curious to know what exactly you think will get me fired from life as a Medallion and relegated to Southwest? I didn't do anything wrong here. Delta screwed up and I called them on it. It's not my fault their gate agents grab Y inventory every time someone takes a VDB for a flight they knowingly oversold. Am I missing something here? Is your point that they'll get annoyed I kept (emphasis on past tense) asking?
Sep 22, 2013, 3:07 pm
#515
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,689
Took the following voluntary bumps:
Delta 200 | Fri Sep 13 2103 | Overbooked by 5+ | $750 Voucher | Hotel @ Airport Marriott | $30 Meal Vouchers | Rebooked on same flight next day
Delta 200 | Sat Sep 14 2103 | Overbooked by 5+ | $750 Voucher | Hotel @ Airport Marriott | $30 Meal Vouchers | Rebooked on same flight next day
Delta 201 | Sat Sep 21 2103 | Overbooked by 7+ | $600 Voucher | Hotel @ Airport "City Lodge" | Meals included with Stay | Rebooked on same flight next day
Delta 200 | Fri Sep 13 2103 | Overbooked by 5+ | $750 Voucher | Hotel @ Airport Marriott | $30 Meal Vouchers | Rebooked on same flight next day
Delta 200 | Sat Sep 14 2103 | Overbooked by 5+ | $750 Voucher | Hotel @ Airport Marriott | $30 Meal Vouchers | Rebooked on same flight next day
Delta 201 | Sat Sep 21 2103 | Overbooked by 7+ | $600 Voucher | Hotel @ Airport "City Lodge" | Meals included with Stay | Rebooked on same flight next day
Sep 22, 2013, 3:14 pm
#516
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA Silver, DL Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,851
Sep 22, 2013, 4:58 pm
#517
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,938
I always monitor my flight using tools like EF starting about 48 hours before departure. Then I check again within 24 hours of departure and more even closer to departure. If the flight looks zeroed out, I will be sure to get to the gate more than 1 hour before departure. Most times the GA's get to the gate about 1 hour before departure. Last time (July) on a DTW-MSP flight I saw the flight was zeroed out. I got to the gate about 70 minutes before departure and the agents were already there. I thought my chances dropped a lot since I was not there before they arrived. Asked about the possibility of an oversell and if they might need volunteers. It was a rare time when they said they needed me, rebooked me and gave me the VDB voucher right then, even before boarding.
If you don't have something like EF, you can call DL and ask if they are overbooked, but they might only say, "yes" but not by how many. Sometimes when they are overbooked they are still selling seats. So it is not as good of an indication as seeing the real-time availability.
Sep 22, 2013, 6:59 pm
#518
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
I understand your point. I dropped the reticketing issue, but I'm curious to know what exactly you think will get me fired from life as a Medallion and relegated to Southwest? I didn't do anything wrong here. Delta screwed up and I called them on it. It's not my fault their gate agents grab Y inventory every time someone takes a VDB for a flight they knowingly oversold. Am I missing something here? Is your point that they'll get annoyed I kept (emphasis on past tense) asking?
The GA rebooked you into Y for convenience and you want more miles and upgrades.
At the end of the day, you got the compensation you were promised and the seat that you paid for. Yes, BE was full of non-revs, but so what? That's an employee benefit.
David
Sep 22, 2013, 9:46 pm
#519
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
Sep 22, 2013, 10:40 pm
#520
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Seattle WA
Programs: Kimpton IC, Hyatt Diamond, Gold Marriott, Lifetime Platinum Starwood
Posts: 8,665
Imo, that is probably a better/kinder course of action than jumping over a relative "newbie."
OP - congrats on your bumps!
Sep 22, 2013, 11:20 pm
#521
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DCA
Programs: DL DM, AA EXP, various hotel
Posts: 2,227
Are you really suggesting that a GA who is lazy enough to be rebooking the OP into Y in the future will take the time to look at notes on his skymiles profile before doing the rebooking?
Sep 23, 2013, 4:33 am
#522
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: N/A
Programs: UA 1K, BA Gold, LH/SN/LX Senator
Posts: 449
No, but ATL-JNB-ATL is heavily booked most of the time. Very rare to find too many open seat at most times of year.
Can't speak for the ATL-JNB leg, but JNB has been experiencing some pretty hot temperatures for this time of year. Given the earlier departure from JNB at this time of year I suspect that there might be some operational issues and hence payload penalties (which can include pax).
Can't speak for the ATL-JNB leg, but JNB has been experiencing some pretty hot temperatures for this time of year. Given the earlier departure from JNB at this time of year I suspect that there might be some operational issues and hence payload penalties (which can include pax).
Sep 23, 2013, 4:45 am
#523
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K, AA EXP, US G, SPG P, HH D, MR G, NEXUS/GE, DL AMEX Reserve
Posts: 2,035
Bump Report: DTW-SFO
Hi All,
Took a VDB yesterday for $600, confirmed first class seats the remainder of the flight, and Westin hotel. Today my flight is oversold and I am going for another $400 VDB voucher. Stockpiling VDB is what you all need to be doing as you get MQD for it.
Regards,
mbwmbw
Took a VDB yesterday for $600, confirmed first class seats the remainder of the flight, and Westin hotel. Today my flight is oversold and I am going for another $400 VDB voucher. Stockpiling VDB is what you all need to be doing as you get MQD for it.
Regards,
mbwmbw
Sep 23, 2013, 5:13 am
#524
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,187
Hi All,
Took a VDB yesterday for $600, confirmed first class seats the remainder of the flight, and Westin hotel. Today my flight is oversold and I am going for another $400 VDB voucher. Stockpiling VDB is what you all need to be doing as you get MQD for it.
Regards,
mbwmbw
Took a VDB yesterday for $600, confirmed first class seats the remainder of the flight, and Westin hotel. Today my flight is oversold and I am going for another $400 VDB voucher. Stockpiling VDB is what you all need to be doing as you get MQD for it.
Regards,
mbwmbw
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...-boarding.html
Other recent threads on VDB:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...b-jnb-atl.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...ta-6254-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...l-airline.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta...rds-delta.html
Sep 23, 2013, 5:14 am
#525
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
Programs: DL DM 2MM, BA Bronze, Various Hotels
Posts: 10,187