Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump on UA [2015]
Mar 17, 2015, 5:28 pm
#196
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: New England
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 519
Yep, Mrs. PATRLR and I were on that flight, connecting to PDX. Got the $800 certs, put us in the Embassy Suites across the street, and got us to our destination about 22 hours later than planned which was perfectly fine with us because we planned to fly that day anyway but couldn't find an award ticket for that day.
Oh - and they flew us to our destination on Delta in First Class.
So for the cost of 2 standard awards we got to our destination in FC and we've got $1600 to spend on future flights.
Oh - and they flew us to our destination on Delta in First Class.
So for the cost of 2 standard awards we got to our destination in FC and we've got $1600 to spend on future flights.
(fortunately, he didn't give away our seats)
Mar 17, 2015, 8:59 pm
#197
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bethesda, MD
Programs: UA Million Miler, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 814
Flying out of A gates at IAD last Thursday to ATL, I must have heard at least 4 cities that were offering $400 for bumps plus hotel on the last flights of the night. Fast forward to Sunday night in ATL and I was offered $150 and hotel for overnight bump. I countered with $400, since that was the standard at IAD, but the GA said no can do. Since I was with my family I declined the bump. With taxi from IAD to home, I would have netted less than $100. Sure not worth it for a 6 am flight.
Mar 20, 2015, 9:10 pm
#198
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: IAH
Programs: UA GS, TK Gold
Posts: 304
UA1242 IAH-DEN 03/22/15 downgaged from 787 to 752Int T-48
V fare, CPUed at T-96. At T-48 got an email from UA regarding the flight with an offer to change flights. Surprisingly I kept the upgrade after the downgage.
Called UA. Took an early flight, 1.5 hrs earlier, with confirmed R seat also in 752Int, and $300 ecert.
Seems more than fair to me
Called UA. Took an early flight, 1.5 hrs earlier, with confirmed R seat also in 752Int, and $300 ecert.
Seems more than fair to me
Mar 21, 2015, 7:50 am
#199
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
I think it is ludicrous to take a bump that involves an overnight stay for $<400 ...... I can't see a situation where UA wins by taking IDBs in such situations.... Unless they are IDBing award tickets that will likely not be compensated much due to the value of their tickets. I have turned down a couple such VDB situations simply because I didn't think a 24 hour inconvenience was worth that.... Especially on a Friday night.
Just curious... Do you know how a IDB on an award ticket is compensated? .... Based on the DOT literature... It doesn't look good for that person.
Just curious... Do you know how a IDB on an award ticket is compensated? .... Based on the DOT literature... It doesn't look good for that person.
Mar 21, 2015, 12:23 pm
#200
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: United Platinum, Chase Presidential Plus
Posts: 299
MKE-IAH on Thursday late afternoon, was offered $500 to fly through Chicago, with a first class seat for the ORD-IAH segment (arriving 3 hours later). Accepted, but at the last minute a seat opened up and I wasn't needed. The gate agent noted that she started at $500 because most are reluctant to give up a seat on the direct flight. They didn't announce what the alternate flight was during the announcement, so I'm guessing most expected that they would not get out until the next morning.
Mar 21, 2015, 8:27 pm
#201
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,971
I never agree on the kiosk, figuring they would be more desperate and offer better compensation if they see no volunteers on the list.
A gate agent told me that even if I agreed to xxx amount on the kiosk, the final amount is what they end up offering.
So, I still don't know what is the proper way to do this.
A gate agent told me that even if I agreed to xxx amount on the kiosk, the final amount is what they end up offering.
So, I still don't know what is the proper way to do this.
Mar 22, 2015, 6:07 am
#202
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 10
SFO-CDG-MUC in E+
With the Lufthansa strike, I guess there was a bit of overbooking on any reasonable itinerary getting into Germany. Didn't get on a list but overheard a GA asking someone on the plane after I had settled in. Inquired and told her I didn't have any checked bags.
Got an SFO-ORD-MUC the next day in First / BusinessFirst, a $400 voucher and got to go home to spend some more time with the lady. Declined a hotel voucher.
The person that got my seat was really appreciative.
With the Lufthansa strike, I guess there was a bit of overbooking on any reasonable itinerary getting into Germany. Didn't get on a list but overheard a GA asking someone on the plane after I had settled in. Inquired and told her I didn't have any checked bags.
Got an SFO-ORD-MUC the next day in First / BusinessFirst, a $400 voucher and got to go home to spend some more time with the lady. Declined a hotel voucher.
The person that got my seat was really appreciative.
Mar 22, 2015, 6:21 am
#203
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,240
I never agree on the kiosk, figuring they would be more desperate and offer better compensation if they see no volunteers on the list.
A gate agent told me that even if I agreed to xxx amount on the kiosk, the final amount is what they end up offering.
So, I still don't know what is the proper way to do this.
A gate agent told me that even if I agreed to xxx amount on the kiosk, the final amount is what they end up offering.
So, I still don't know what is the proper way to do this.
Mar 22, 2015, 7:23 am
#204
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
Programs: UA/*A Gold, Global Entry, Marriott Plat, Hilton+IHG Gold, Hertz PC, DL
Posts: 1,752
in your experience, does status help or hinder a willingness to take a VDB? i'm unsure whether UA would want to get FFs on their way, or be responsive to a willingness to take a bump.
Mar 22, 2015, 9:58 am
#205
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
If you're in F as a result of an upgrade, an agent may be reluctant to use you if they have other volunteers and/or they're unable to (or afraid to) reaccommodate you in F on the replacement flight.
However, if you have status and as a result, knowledge of schedules/options/etc., it may help since you may be easier to deal with.
Mar 22, 2015, 11:14 am
#206
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
I never agree on the kiosk, figuring they would be more desperate and offer better compensation if they see no volunteers on the list.
A gate agent told me that even if I agreed to xxx amount on the kiosk, the final amount is what they end up offering.
So, I still don't know what is the proper way to do this.
A gate agent told me that even if I agreed to xxx amount on the kiosk, the final amount is what they end up offering.
So, I still don't know what is the proper way to do this.
If you're in F as a result of an upgrade, an agent may be reluctant to use you if they have other volunteers and/or they're unable to (or afraid to) reaccommodate you in F on the replacement flight.
However, if you have status and as a result, knowledge of schedules/options/etc., it may help since you may be easier to deal with.
Mar 22, 2015, 12:00 pm
#207
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Or the agent doesn't know how to VDB an F pax if economy is oversold. Not as big of a problem now but shortly after the merger and system conversion, mostly only PMCO truly knew how to do it and if you were dealing with a PMUA agent, they more often had to call to get it done (something about underselling F to get you out of first so they could get you off the flight)
If they ignore the list and do it manually, they're fine. If they insist on putting the pax on the VDB list, that's where it gets hairy, and you encounter some resistance because adding an F passenger is more difficult.
I've seen it on both sides, depending on how the station wants to manage the VDB process.
Mar 24, 2015, 4:48 am
#209
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 57
Feb 15, UA895 VDB due to weather/overbooking.
about 30 pax got rebooked on CX 807 w/ $400 voucher. Response were good, almost everyone wanted to be rebooked on CX, and $400 for 2 hours late is not a bad deal.
about 30 pax got rebooked on CX 807 w/ $400 voucher. Response were good, almost everyone wanted to be rebooked on CX, and $400 for 2 hours late is not a bad deal.
Mar 24, 2015, 6:37 am
#210
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
UA should have asked any volunteers willing to pay United $100 to be moved to a Cathay Pacific flight instead. They'd probably get their 30 pax and $12,000 less in vouchers on the books