What's the deal with NW checkin and bump bids?
Jul 19, 08, 7:45 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: TPA/AUS
Programs: AA EXP/2MM/AC; Marriott LTT; National Car Elite
Posts: 2,394
What's the deal with NW checkin and bump bids?
Sorry, I haven't flown NW for a long time. I did OLCI tonight for a flight that expertflyer showed as P1 Y0, so I figured it was oversold.
OLCI asked me for a bid on the bump. I have never seen that before. I bid $300, for NW 480, the last flight DTW-TPA on a Sunday night. Did I bid too high? Too low?
OLCI asked me for a bid on the bump. I have never seen that before. I bid $300, for NW 480, the last flight DTW-TPA on a Sunday night. Did I bid too high? Too low?
Jul 19, 08, 7:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MSP/PIT
Programs: DL PM, AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 98
Interesting... If I look at the loads the flight is showing that it is booked to capacity right now but not oversold.
Jul 19, 08, 8:39 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: MN
Programs: Lots of programs, dirt on all of them!
Posts: 11,937
Interesting - so now they have you bid (at least on some routes). I am sure some would bid $200 or even $100. I wonder if there is an option to bid for a free W ticket, or if the rules of the voucher are explained during OLCI.
Right now there is one P seat available on that flight. I wonder how it will end up.
John
Right now there is one P seat available on that flight. I wonder how it will end up.
John
Jul 19, 08, 8:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: TPA,DTW
Posts: 254
Originally Posted by MsEverywhere
I bid $300, for NW 480, the last flight DTW-TPA on a Sunday night. Did I bid too high? Too low?
Jul 19, 08, 9:11 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sarasota, FL
Programs: Northwest Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Intercontinental Royal Ambassador, National Executive Elite
Posts: 611
Originally Posted by MsEverywhere
Sorry, I haven't flown NW for a long time. I did OLCI tonight for a flight that expertflyer showed as P1 Y0, so I figured it was oversold.
OLCI asked me for a bid on the bump. I have never seen that before. I bid $300, for NW 480, the last flight DTW-TPA on a Sunday night. Did I bid too high? Too low?
OLCI asked me for a bid on the bump. I have never seen that before. I bid $300, for NW 480, the last flight DTW-TPA on a Sunday night. Did I bid too high? Too low?
Jul 19, 08, 9:52 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: TPA, PHL
Programs: NW: SE & WC
Posts: 2,136
AFAIK, this bidding is pretty new. They pretty much used to give $300 ECV or free flight requiring W (sometimes K) availability. If they only need a couple of pax to take a VDB, I'd say $300 was probably high, but it also really depends on how many pax can/are willing to take a VDB from that flight as well. I took a VDB a few years ago where they were looking for volunteers for the last DTW-PHL flight on a Friday. They only got two volunteers (I was one of them) and had to IDB about another ten pax.
Currently they are still showing one B2PBF ticket for sale at $929.50 on that flight or From $1,153.00 Roundtrip, including that flight.
Currently they are still showing one B2PBF ticket for sale at $929.50 on that flight or From $1,153.00 Roundtrip, including that flight.
Jul 19, 08, 11:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Motown
Programs: DL, WN, AA, IHG Spire, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,347
The bidding process for bumps started sometime in early June, with two big changes for volunteers. First, now only credt vouchers are offered. No more free round trip tickets. Second, if needed the volunteers are chosen by lowest bid, not first to volunteer. Supposedly this new system will be a cost saver for NW, and for domestic flights the maximum bid is $300.
If no passengers submit bids via online checkin, the gate agent still needs to solicit for volunteers. You should get the $300 that way.
If no passengers submit bids via online checkin, the gate agent still needs to solicit for volunteers. You should get the $300 that way.
Jul 19, 08, 11:12 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2005
Location: MKE / MSP
Programs: NWA GE -- PRIORITY CLUB PE
Posts: 118
wow -- what next!
Talk about lowest bidder ...
is this a good thing?
Seems to me that W space ticket was much better value than the $300 voucher.
What happens if there are no takers at $300 ... do they invol bump or raise the anty?
Talk about lowest bidder ...
is this a good thing?
Seems to me that W space ticket was much better value than the $300 voucher.
What happens if there are no takers at $300 ... do they invol bump or raise the anty?
Jul 19, 08, 11:34 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: TPA, PHL
Programs: NW: SE & WC
Posts: 2,136
Originally Posted by FlyerboyJ
wow -- what next!
Talk about lowest bidder ...
is this a good thing?
Seems to me that W space ticket was much better value than the $300 voucher.
What happens if there are no takers at $300 ... do they invol bump or raise the anty?
Talk about lowest bidder ...
is this a good thing?
Seems to me that W space ticket was much better value than the $300 voucher.
What happens if there are no takers at $300 ... do they invol bump or raise the anty?
I don't particularly like the bidding deal, at best you still only get the $300 ECV they used to give you.
Jul 20, 08, 12:35 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: US
Programs: DL GE
Posts: 1,654
I am fine with this, I think as an elite if my time and the trouble it causes is worth $300 - that is what I'll bid, is someone else bids $200 and that to them is good enough then more power to them!
Jul 20, 08, 12:44 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: LRM
Programs: UA/DL plat to AA
Posts: 525
Interesting system (actually, pretty clever). I agree with previous poster...I don't bid, or bid $300 . If someone else's time/hassle is worth less, have at it.
Jul 20, 08, 3:26 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Phx, AZ
Programs: BA Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 655
So let's say, if I take the bump for $200 when check in the kiosk, and get approve or whatever for it. When I come to the gate, I find out that the offer goes up to $300. So can I go to the GA and get the $300 or I'm stuck with the $200? Cause some airlines, if you find a better offer, you have the right to get it too, or some tips over farecompare when volunteered for a bump. Any one has an answer for that?
Jul 20, 08, 3:44 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: TPA/AUS
Programs: AA EXP/2MM/AC; Marriott LTT; National Car Elite
Posts: 2,394
Originally Posted by jjlovecub
Odd...We are on the same flight. I checked in and got no such message??
I saw no T&C or any rules to explain it, beyond the amount I was asked to bid.
Jul 20, 08, 5:36 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Roanoke, VA
Programs: DL Gold Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,435
So I'm thinking I'll bid $299 if this happens to me - and hope that Bob Barker says "Come on down!"
Jul 20, 08, 5:47 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,106
if one makes a bid on the bump, will OLCI automatically confirm you on a different flight if you "win" the bid? Or would you have to call in to talk to an agent?
