Technically no, but the IDB threshold becomes the VDB limit, in practice.

Yes, you're right and that is part of the problem. In many cases the VDB amount needed will be higher than the IDB threshold. But UA, or any carrier, should focus on not disrupting the passengers more than being as cheap as possible. Hence, the big increases today in DLs corporate limits on VDB.

Hey, while we're at it let's design a system for bad weather. After all the airlines are knowingly selling more seats than they have actual capacity for on bad weather days. We should either prohibit the airlines from engaging in this deceptive and unfair system or we should design a simple system for rainy day auctions or else dictate that the airlines must individually re-negotiate every weather re-booking on terms agreeable to the passenger.

Here's an inexpensive IDB system UA could adopt and in turn, screw us all....

Limit the selection of advance seat assignments to FFer elites, refundable fares, and those who purchase them. Which is kind of where the industry is heading anyway. HOWEVER... if a flight's load factor is 90% or higher, do not allow for seat selection at the check-in window. Make it be done by the GAs at the gate counter. And because this will take up more time in boarding a flight, move up the boarding close-off window to 20 or 25 minutes. So if you haven't boarded your flight by that window, your seat gets cancelled. Thus, there is no need to drag someone off of a plane if they were never allowed to board in the first place. And the normal IDB vouchers will be handed out to those passengers at the gate who can't get on the flight .

Or.... we can all realize that this event was truly isolated and unique. And therefore, no real corrective action needs to be taken regarding IDBs.

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wire...seats-46803441

Given how UA follows DL in almost everything it does, will it follow this?

DL OKs offers of up to $9,950 to flyers who give up seats. Will UA?
 

ARTICLE: https://lasvegassun.com/news/2017/ap...yers-who-give/

UA should have done this first. Great PR move by DL.

Calling the IDB threshold a "cap" or a "limit" is very misleading. Lets be clear. All airlines are free to offer any compensation they see fit over and above that limit. The "cap" is the limit of Mandatory compensation they MUST pay. It isn't a limit to what they MAY pay.

Now in practice, the cheap airlines have assumed that if they don't pay a cent more than that cap, then they'll never get in trouble. They assumed wrong.

Sure, great PR move that cost them nothing.

But in reality, I doubt they will really offer that much. That just means they are AUTHORIZED to. I highly doubt a lowly kettle on a $100 fare is going to win the $10,000 lottery when a single VDB is needed. It just would not make business sense.


If they are really anticipating paying out some of these VDB's, then I would expect their fares to be ever so slightly increased to compensate. Airlines are a business, they are going to make money. Don't let the smoke and mirrors fool you.

$9951.

Dumb move DL. Now nobody will take $400. If someone even makes a small movement to the desk when the offer is $400 he will get Dao'd by the others holding out for more.

if you advertise free pots of gold people will want it.

$9950, but spread out in 10 flight vouchers with massive restrictions(one at a time, can't be used by other people)... you probably can't use it all before expiry

DL only gives out (AMEX/amazon/...) gift cards in certain airports (LAX, JFK, ...) and flight vouchers for the rest

there are 150 people in a plane... u think u can get everyone to collectively stop taking VDB until 9950? i will take 9949..

Let me see...

Maybe give MP members a "Bumping Compensation" profile section where they can specify:

1 - if they will participate
2 - the expectations for different situations (i.e. how much for how many hours)

Then make them agree to some T&C that totally gives UA power :D

Then pop up offers on the United App when flights are oversold and start pulling people based on the cost to UA.

I am sure IBM Watson would be glad to do this :D

VDB is a reverse auction. DL knows that. "Authorized" doesn't mean "will offer" and you may be assured that someone will grab the brass ring at roughly current values.