Explain Bumps to me
Aug 13, 2007 | 6:58 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LAX/BOS/HKG/AMS/SFO...hmm, I need a life.
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A bump is when you volunteer to take a later flight when you are on a plane that is overbooked. The usual Domestic "Bump" is $300.00 a hotel room if overnighting, a meal voucher ($10) and **sometimes** you will get put in FC for taking the "bump". If you are skilled at finding oversold flights you can rack up some big $$. I do not look for bumps but one lucky weekend I made $900, got a free hotel room, cab ride, dinner, and all in FC (I was there anyway though)
Aug 13, 2007 | 6:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: ATL
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Airlines typically sell more tickets than they have seats on a flight, knowing that some people will not show up. When too many show-up, the airline has to convince someone to take another flight (VDB - voluntary denied boarding) or IDB (involuntary - which can really upset the last person to check-in for the flight). So, they offer a voucher (usually a couple of hundred dollars) good for another ticket in exchange for you taking a later flight. Depending on the delay, airlines may offer meal vouchers and/or a hotel room for the night.
For more info., search for 'bump' or 'voucher'.
For more info., search for 'bump' or 'voucher'.
Last edited by scoow; Aug 13, 2007 at 6:59 pm Reason: avidflyer beat me to it.
Aug 13, 2007 | 7:09 pm
#5
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Aug 13, 2007 | 7:14 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toledo, Ohio
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Aug 13, 2007 | 7:59 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: TPA, PHL
Programs: NW: SE & WC
Posts: 2,136
A bump is when you volunteer to take a later flight when you are on a plane that is overbooked. The usual Domestic "Bump" is $300.00 a hotel room if overnighting, a meal voucher ($10) and **sometimes** you will get put in FC for taking the "bump". If you are skilled at finding oversold flights you can rack up some big $$. I do not look for bumps but one lucky weekend I made $900, got a free hotel room, cab ride, dinner, and all in FC (I was there anyway though)
Aug 17, 2007 | 3:39 am
#8
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: BOI
Programs: UA Silver, DL, AA, WN, Marriott, IHG Plat, Hertz 5*, National Exec
Posts: 285
I was able to type in the ticket number on the DB210 voucher (for a free ticket in W-class) and got it to take $250 off a flight, earned miles and everything. Don't know how common this is.. heard it mentioned once before in this forum.
Aug 17, 2007 | 4:18 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: TPA, PHL
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That's always possible (and then the flights are booked into whatever class you purchase, earning the miles that class earns) and it does give you more flexibility, but I'd rather just get the $300 voucher when possible since my usual tickets are less than $300 unless I'm booking flights I need to take into a mini MR or booking an actual MR around other flights that I need to take.
Aug 17, 2007 | 6:10 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2000
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