Next week I'll be on a flight from SEA to DTW. The last time I took this flight, I was voluntarily bumped, and the odds for another voluntary bump look good. I'm upgraded with miles this time, though, and I have two questions:

1) Am I correct in assuming that NW would try to book me in F on my new flight?

2) If my new flight has no room in F and I have to ride in back, will my miles be deposited back to my account?

1. Yes. However, make sure you know the gate agent is aware that you're an FC pax giving up his/her seat and want to be accomodated in FC on the new flight.

2. No idea.

1) with CO they will try to put you if F. 2)if not, i have always explained that i used miles and was not up'd for free. they would give me a one segent cert for use on any flight in the americas (south, all the way to canada)

i would think NW would do the same.

on the contrary, my mom did that with delta once and the agent said, "you decided to bump, so you will forfit the miles if FC is not available." even though the agent had a stack of up certs, she refused to issue one. Delta is the absolute worst airline flying (imo).

I guess it would depend on how full the flight is. I have attempted to volunteer several times and the FA had said they would have nothing to offer me since I was an F passenger. I told them I was on an elite u/g and if they needed me I was willing to accept the normal compensation and fly coach on the next flight.

If you are DENIED boarding, I think they would have to put you in the same class on the next flight. If you VOLUNTEER, I think they would try, but it would not be required. Many times there is not F available only an hour or two before the flight due to all the free U/G's.

However! I think with NW being a customer friendly airline that if you volunteered for the bump and were not U/G on the next flight, you could contact Customer Service or WP and explain that you helped them by taking a bump and would appreciate them returning your miles that were not used for an U/G. I think you would get them back as a courtesy even if it is not a requirement.

Get with the gate agent ASAP, explain your situation and ask them if you take a bump, can they re-book you into F on your next leg.

A few months ago I was doing GEG to MSP. While in the boarding area they announced that the plane was overweight and needed (15) volunteers.
I was standing near the gate agent and she looked at me and said, �How about you sir, would you be interested?� (I am 6�and 232+-)
I laughed and said, �Come on now, I just started Atkins give me a break.�
At that, every one laughed and the gate agent turned red.
Bottom line, I was in F and they were very accommodating and put me back in F.
My experience is they will work with you if you work with them.

Fortunately, the next flight to DTW departs 10 hours after my scheduled flight, so I'm hoping an F seat will still be available. We'll see what happens.