DB Ethics
Apr 16, 2012 | 10:07 am
#16
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
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On Saturday's ORD-MUC (UA906) overbooked flight I was offered $300 for VDB at the check-in kiosk. That seemed ridiculously low for a $1,600 RT TATL flight, especially since they couldn't get me out until the next day. I believe the lowest fare in that market is about $900 (~$450 o/w) on the one day of the month when the moon and stars line up properly. Does anyone know if the policy is different for international vs. domestic, or is it strictly fare-based?
VDB is a reverse auction. Carriers, including UA, will offer the least VDB comp. that they reasonably expect to be accepted. If it's not accepted, they can always raise it up to the time the door closes.
I recently saw UAX offer $50 on an ORD-PWM with a reroute through IAD requiring a 3-hour delay in arrival. Two people hopped up instantly and it was done.
Yes, it's my impression that VDB offers are declining, but I'm also seeing people jump up to accept them.
Apr 16, 2012 | 10:10 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2004
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You may have turned it down, but I'll bet that somebody took it.
VDB is a reverse auction. Carriers, including UA, will offer the least VDB comp. that they reasonably expect to be accepted. If it's not accepted, they can always raise it up to the time the door closes.
I recently saw UAX offer $50 on an ORD-PWM with a reroute through IAD requiring a 3-hour delay in arrival. Two people hopped up instantly and it was done.
Yes, it's my impression that VDB offers are declining, but I'm also seeing people jump up to accept them.
VDB is a reverse auction. Carriers, including UA, will offer the least VDB comp. that they reasonably expect to be accepted. If it's not accepted, they can always raise it up to the time the door closes.
I recently saw UAX offer $50 on an ORD-PWM with a reroute through IAD requiring a 3-hour delay in arrival. Two people hopped up instantly and it was done.
Yes, it's my impression that VDB offers are declining, but I'm also seeing people jump up to accept them.
Wow...some people place an extremely low value on their time
Apr 16, 2012 | 10:42 am
#18
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Apr 16, 2012 | 11:04 am
#19
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On Saturday's ORD-MUC (UA906) overbooked flight I was offered $300 for VDB at the check-in kiosk. That seemed ridiculously low for a $1,600 RT TATL flight, especially since they couldn't get me out until the next day. I believe the lowest fare in that market is about $900 (~$450 o/w) on the one day of the month when the moon and stars line up properly. Does anyone know if the policy is different for international vs. domestic, or is it strictly fare-based?
n, but it does make at least some sense. In this case, the $450 one way likely does not include taxes/fees.
Last edited by Xyzzy; Apr 16, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Apr 16, 2012 | 11:13 am
#20
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Every offer I've heard this year was $400 (and I took one), though the kiosks have asked me several times at lower amounts (ranging from $75 to $250). GAs have seemed to have a hard time finding takers even at $400 IME--even when the next flight was less than 2 hours later.
Depends on the route, time & day of week, and pax demographics IMHO whether or not you'll get takers at the lower levels.
Depends on the route, time & day of week, and pax demographics IMHO whether or not you'll get takers at the lower levels.