UA Flex-Schedule Program,bidding for voluntary bumps & sometimes confirmed rebookings
Dec 19, 2018, 8:52 pm
#151
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Is there any rhyme of reason regarding when pax are asked to "bid" on a bump? For instance, back in April whilst travelling on UA during OLCI I was given a prompt to "bid" for how much money I'll take for a bump. IIRC that flight went out with space available in both J and Y cabins. OTOH, this past week I had a UA flight SIN->SFO which went full Y and J (apparently the previous day's UA2 got cancelled) and was never given the option to bid for a bump.
Safe Travels,
James
Safe Travels,
James
This new system seems way too complex, and the options presented are in no way representative of what protection you will actually get at the gate when the original options are likely gone. Now... IF the system would actually protect your seat on one of those options... now... we are talking about a cool approach. This does not seem to be the case at all.
I checked in with a 1K agent for my SFO-MCO flight tonight, which is over by 4 at the moment (and one hour delayed and according to the agent every connection will make the flight now)... the offers presented last night at check-in were convenient and would get me in only a few hours late. The agent showed me the screen, and there were several others that also volunteered for low amounts, likely because the options were good. This is apparently not the case now, as I will be looking at a 12+ hour delay based on availability. The people that bid low are going to be disappointed I would expect, and the bids at the gate are likely to go up. I am not doing it for less than $1000 + hotel + food vouchers.
Will be interesting to see how this new thing rolls out (and how long it lasts), as I predict the current approach is going to crater).
Dec 19, 2018, 8:52 pm
#152
Join Date: May 2004
Location: SFO sometimes
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Posts: 1,634
Not sure, as this appears to have rolled out in the last week or so. I am on SFO-MCO tonight, and it is oversold by 5 people, and I saw the same thing with 3 different backup itineraries, and I was able to bid an amount for each one. I put high numbers in for all of them and submitted it. As time goes, hopefully people will report results here.
My suspicion is that the GA's won't handle anything differently.... for a couple reasons:
1) Too complicated to sort through all this complexity while in a hurry to get people boarded and people switched off the flight.
2) The options presented at OLCI 24 hours in advance may not be available at the time of boarding (which is the case for my situation tonight where almost NOTHING is available on UA).
I am pretty sure that this is a short-lived change, and UA will fall back on the way things have been done for the last couple years.
Thoughts?
My suspicion is that the GA's won't handle anything differently.... for a couple reasons:
1) Too complicated to sort through all this complexity while in a hurry to get people boarded and people switched off the flight.
2) The options presented at OLCI 24 hours in advance may not be available at the time of boarding (which is the case for my situation tonight where almost NOTHING is available on UA).
I am pretty sure that this is a short-lived change, and UA will fall back on the way things have been done for the last couple years.
Thoughts?
However, also saves them on any overnight hotels as they make it your problem.
Last edited by iloveipods; Dec 20, 2018 at 7:23 pm
Dec 19, 2018, 8:56 pm
#153
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
That’s different from what I experienced. As I mentioned, it wasn’t a bid but rather a CONFIRMED VDB voucher along with a switch to another flight. This is something new. Attached are screenshots of both the confirmed VDB and the “VDB lite” offer I got later for a free flight change (whoopdie doo). Seems like a change they rolled out just in time for the holiday travel season.
I have only seen the proactive approach (voucher issued in advance) for real bad situations, like AC downgauge.
Dec 20, 2018, 12:45 am
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
I agree, but I'll tip my hat to UA here. They don't have to guess right very often for this to be a profitable approach. If the average at-gate cert is $500, and they're able to get somebody to accept a confirmed $200 in advance, they come out ahead if they need that seat more than 40% of the time.
Dec 20, 2018, 3:00 am
#155
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
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I agree, but I'll tip my hat to UA here. They don't have to guess right very often for this to be a profitable approach. If the average at-gate cert is $500, and they're able to get somebody to accept a confirmed $200 in advance, they come out ahead if they need that seat more than 40% of the time.
Dec 20, 2018, 3:23 am
#156
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
Mine was $800, $900 or $1000 for EWR-SFO tonight. I also low-balled my offer to see if it makes any difference. I'll be surprised if the GAs actually use this list or stick with our bid amounts. In the past when I've been VDB'd there's been a very rapid negotiation and resolution, with the GAs sometimes upping compensation of their own accord. It'll be interesting to see what happens with the new approach, assuming any of our flights actually need volunteers.
I wonder if pax checking in via computer or kiosk get the same interface, or if it's limited to OLCI via app?
I wonder if pax checking in via computer or kiosk get the same interface, or if it's limited to OLCI via app?
Dec 20, 2018, 8:32 am
#157
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,335
New VDB Software
As @iloveipods correctly notes, UA recently rolled out an update to their existing VDB program that allows self rebooking with compensation!
I didn't bother posting to FT since it was already picked up by the big bloggers but in retrospect I should have. Now we are all on the same page.
https://www.chron.com/chris-mcginnis...e-13475370.php
I didn't bother posting to FT since it was already picked up by the big bloggers but in retrospect I should have. Now we are all on the same page.
https://www.chron.com/chris-mcginnis...e-13475370.php
Dec 20, 2018, 9:24 am
#158
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,324
Dec 28, 2018, 6:22 pm
#159
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 67
What are best responses when offering compensating for getting bumped ?
United put in a new option when you are checking in. Now they tell you upfront if you are willing to give up your seat and they will let you know at the gate "IF YOU ARE SELECTED". They give you 3 different flights and you can select the amount you are asking for in each of the 3 selections.
Anyone know what aare the best outcomes to getting the highest travel vouchers ?
Anyone know what aare the best outcomes to getting the highest travel vouchers ?
Dec 28, 2018, 6:32 pm
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,029
United put in a new option when you are checking in. Now they tell you upfront if you are willing to give up your seat and they will let you know at the gate "IF YOU ARE SELECTED". They give you 3 different flights and you can select the amount you are asking for in each of the 3 selections.
Anyone know what are the best outcomes to getting the highest travel vouchers?
Anyone know what are the best outcomes to getting the highest travel vouchers?
UA thread--->Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump Experiences on UA [2018]
Dec 28, 2018, 6:43 pm
#161
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
Welcome to FT!, Daytrader
The short answer is there are too many variables to have a simple strategy.
How overbooked is the flight?
Are there any potential issues that could cause other flights to be delayed/canceled? (this could mean some additional passengers for your flight OR this could mean some of the present passengers will misconnect and their seats will become available)
How flexible/ willing are the other passengers on your flight (are they on tight leisure/business travel or do they have some flexibility?)
How convenient are the alternative flight options for the other passengers?
and more ....
And any of these will vary on a particular day for a particular flight.
Additionally, in the end, UA usually will not need to use the volunteers (although the holiday season tends to have more VDB). The amount of VDB is significantly lower than in past years, see
Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump Experiences on UA [2018]
How overbooked is the flight?
Are there any potential issues that could cause other flights to be delayed/canceled? (this could mean some additional passengers for your flight OR this could mean some of the present passengers will misconnect and their seats will become available)
How flexible/ willing are the other passengers on your flight (are they on tight leisure/business travel or do they have some flexibility?)
How convenient are the alternative flight options for the other passengers?
and more ....
And any of these will vary on a particular day for a particular flight.
Additionally, in the end, UA usually will not need to use the volunteers (although the holiday season tends to have more VDB). The amount of VDB is significantly lower than in past years, see
Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump Experiences on UA [2018]
Dec 28, 2018, 6:44 pm
#162
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Just saw this option a few days ago. Nothing about.3 flights. When going back to the checkin tool, there were 3 pre-selected offers we could choose from to request on an oversold ORD-FRA. I think it was $500, $600 or $700. Was also an option to enter our own amount. Given we were three pax, plus a lap infant, going to BLR, and knowing both ours and the later FRA flight were oversold, we didn’t bite. If it wàs just me, I probably would have My understanding is if they determine they need a volunteer, they’ll take the lowest bid. And the offer is just to get someone on the list...putting your name down doesn’t compel you to actually accept the offer. I talked to an agent at CS, asking about our flight, and was told we were oversold by 2.
Onboard, they announced while still boarding they were looking for 1 volunteer, and had a $1500 voucher. Not sure if someone did bite at that point...they also specifically announced a seat on the later FRA flight, but given it was oversold, not sure what happened there..I assume they had an offer out on that flight, as well. Typically, they don’t offer your alternatives until they know they need you at the gate...and you aren’t bound to accept the offer until you sign the paperwork. So basically, the electronic offer on the app/kiosk is just adding you to the ‘interest’ lost and not compelling you for anything.
Onboard, they announced while still boarding they were looking for 1 volunteer, and had a $1500 voucher. Not sure if someone did bite at that point...they also specifically announced a seat on the later FRA flight, but given it was oversold, not sure what happened there..I assume they had an offer out on that flight, as well. Typically, they don’t offer your alternatives until they know they need you at the gate...and you aren’t bound to accept the offer until you sign the paperwork. So basically, the electronic offer on the app/kiosk is just adding you to the ‘interest’ lost and not compelling you for anything.
Dec 28, 2018, 7:00 pm
#163
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,359
Onboard, they announced while still boarding they were looking for 1 volunteer, and had a $1500 voucher. Not sure if someone did bite at that point...they also specifically announced a seat on the later FRA flight, but given it was oversold, not sure what happened there.
Safe Travels,
James
Dec 28, 2018, 8:02 pm
#165
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