UA Flex-Schedule Program,bidding for voluntary bumps & sometimes confirmed rebookings
Jul 17, 2017, 7:06 am
#106
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 214
My employer claims to own whatever VDB compensation I collect on business trips reimbursed by my employer, so I wound never volunteer in such cases. Since I have top tier status, IDBs are not a problem so I haven't checked whether they're like EU 261 comeonsation which is mandated to go to the passenger or not.
Jul 19, 2017, 10:51 am
#107
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: UA 1k, US Airways Silver, SPG PLT, Marriot Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 536
I had a flight at 6AM once on a Friday. Got VDB's for $300 to a 7AM flight, home by 10AM. Client in a different timezone.
Jul 19, 2017, 12:19 pm
#108
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
This program came up in the earnings call this morning. UA indicated that it is a very, VERY small pilot effort today. Expectation is that, at most, about 50 passengers will be moved to a different flight during the test phase.
Jul 19, 2017, 6:05 pm
#109
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
Infrequent flyers aren't going to be as moved by this $250 offer as some think. I think its a fair offer but for people that only fly once a year, what are they gonna do with a $250 voucher that expires in a year. So I think rolling this out to FF members is the way to go.
If I had two options for how the system were set up:
- UA picks my new flight, but gives me a $250 voucher
- UA gives me nothing, but I can pick any other flights on the same day, between the same cities, that aren't expected to be sold out
i'd chose the latter option every time. I know those of you with free SDC are looking at me like I'm crazy, but such is life as a silver.
Jul 19, 2017, 7:14 pm
#110
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
My employer claims to own whatever VDB compensation I collect on business trips reimbursed by my employer, so I wound never volunteer in such cases. Since I have top tier status, IDBs are not a problem so I haven't checked whether they're like EU 261 comeonsation which is mandated to go to the passenger or not.
But, that has nothing to do with external rules, policies or terms of employment to which you agree in taking a job. Perhaps you are obligated to pay it over to your employer, perhaps not.
Jul 19, 2017, 7:40 pm
#111
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA PP (47% MM), HH Gold, National Exec Elite
Posts: 548
Hard to say if I was a part of this test phase, but I was contacted about 20 hours before my flight back home this past weekend (July 16th) looking for volunteers. I was offered $200 and my choice of any of the non stop options the same day as my original flight. I had been upgraded on my original flight via CPU process and the agent was able to keep me in F on the re-booked flight.
Jul 19, 2017, 7:43 pm
#112
Join Date: May 2001
Location: HNL
Posts: 1,013
If I get bumped do I get to keep the Denied Boarding Compensation (DBC)?It depends. There are two categories of “bumping”:
- Voluntary – When there is an actual oversell situation at the gate, the agent will ask for volunteers to give up their seat and take a later flight for a negotiated compensation. This is normally in the form of various valued flight coupons for future flights. If a government traveler volunteers AND still meets the mission requirements then the traveler can keep & use the negotiated compensation for their personal use. A government traveler should never volunteer if giving up their seat for the later flight(s) would result in not meeting the mission requirements.
- Involuntary – When the occasion occurs that there are too many passengers to be accommodated on the flight and not enough volunteers have been found, the gate agent will then “bumping” people from the flight. This is where timely check-in times become critical. Passengers who have not met the advertised check-in times either via the internet, at the check-in counter/kiosk at the airport and at the gate will be the first ones bumped. Even if you have a seat assignment and haven’t met the timelines you can be bumped. The airlines will use these timelines first because if they are not met the airline will not be required to pay the DBC. If a government passenger is actually involuntarily bumped from a flight the compensation belongs to the government as it is the government who is inconvenienced and is due the compensation. The passenger (and the airline) is required to have the compensation in the form of a check (no flight coupons) made out to The Treasurer of the United States.
- Twice the value of the one way coach fare if the passenger is delayed more than an hour or more to their destination
- Three times the value of the coach fare if the passenger is delayed more than two (2) hours
Jul 19, 2017, 7:43 pm
#113
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Hard to say if I was a part of this test phase, but I was contacted about 20 hours before my flight back home this past weekend (July 16th) looking for volunteers. I was offered $200 and my choice of any of the non stop options the same day as my original flight. I had been upgraded on my original flight via CPU process and the agent was able to keep me in F on the re-booked flight.
It does sound like the type of offer the system is supposed to be able to generate for targeted customers.
Jul 19, 2017, 7:51 pm
#114
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA PP (47% MM), HH Gold, National Exec Elite
Posts: 548
Hard to say if I was a part of this test phase, but I was contacted about 20 hours before my flight back home this past weekend (July 16th) looking for volunteers. I was offered $200 and my choice of any of the non stop options the same day as my original flight. I had been upgraded on my original flight via CPU process and the agent was able to keep me in F on the re-booked flight.
Was there an equipment swap on your original flight? Sounds like the "magic desk" doing its thing rather than the automated system. Also, I'm pretty sure they said in the call that they were still getting ready to start; I don't think it is truly live yet. But I'm not certain.
It does sound like the type of offer the system is supposed to be able to generate for targeted customers.
It does sound like the type of offer the system is supposed to be able to generate for targeted customers.
You're right. I still have the original voicemail as I did not recognize the original caller, but called back. They mentioned the aircraft was changed out and created an oversell situation.
Jul 19, 2017, 11:49 pm
#115
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,302
Let's see how it works. I mean, it's not like they hadn't offered $250 at the gate previously (and got no takers), which is what led them to the $1k offers.
I do agree that I could probably have more flexibility if asked a few days out instead of at the gate. But it would have to be confirmed ASAP; the "within 24 hours" bit makes it less desirable to me. YMMV.
I do agree that I could probably have more flexibility if asked a few days out instead of at the gate. But it would have to be confirmed ASAP; the "within 24 hours" bit makes it less desirable to me. YMMV.
I went to the lounge, and got to the gate in time to hear them page me, by name, asking if I'd instead like a non-stop.
No, I was going to meet a friend for drinks in the connecting city. I would have foregone that if I'd been on the earlier flight, but not after sitting around for 4 hours.
They had to pay volunteers.
Make my trip better for me, and I'll accept the better schedule as my compensation.
I buy a refundable ticket for the 3pm.
I get the email, 3pm is really full, they offer me $200 to take the 4pm.
Fine, I still get where I'm going in time for dinner.
At 3pm, the 4pm posts a 2 hour delay. Dinner is no longer possible.
I cancel and go home.
Am I really undeserving of the $200?
(and I'll note that I have bought refundable tickets, for a dinner trip, and cancelled after a 3 hour delay was posted while I was sitting in the lounge, so this isn't exactly far-fetched).
In this case, I'm not trying to abuse anything. Though I suppose a posted delay would make that clear.
Jan 2, 2018, 7:42 pm
#116
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,202
My experience - IAD-EWR RT this past week. No UA status. Not offered anything via OLCI. For both flights, I checked a bag, and therefore used the kiosk. Do you want to volunteer?, "YES". Given a choice of $220, $300, or $400 in compensation. Notation that the lowest bids would be accepted first. Had not seen this before, so choose $300.
Asked the GA for both flights whether or not volunteers were needed; none were needed. (A bit surprised that I wasn't VDB on either flight - both flights packed and a long standby list.)
What if I had been accepted, would $300 be my limit, even if higher compensation was offered to others at the end?
Asked the GA for both flights whether or not volunteers were needed; none were needed. (A bit surprised that I wasn't VDB on either flight - both flights packed and a long standby list.)
What if I had been accepted, would $300 be my limit, even if higher compensation was offered to others at the end?
Jan 2, 2018, 9:11 pm
#118
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Haze gray and underway
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, HH Diamond, Marriott 'clink clink' Titanium
Posts: 1,784
Great plan if they can get it to work. I have my doubts.
Frequent flyers can come up with some very creative ways to abuse programs like this. One way that comes to mind immediately for this is with refundable tickets.
Infrequent flyers aren't going to be as moved by this $250 offer as some think. I think its a fair offer but for people that only fly once a year, what are they gonna do with a $250 voucher that expires in a year. So I think rolling this out to FF members is the way to go.
I suspect that even if this is wildly successful, that UA will promptly break it by trying to scalp business travelers by more seats overbooked on more flights.
Frequent flyers can come up with some very creative ways to abuse programs like this. One way that comes to mind immediately for this is with refundable tickets.
Infrequent flyers aren't going to be as moved by this $250 offer as some think. I think its a fair offer but for people that only fly once a year, what are they gonna do with a $250 voucher that expires in a year. So I think rolling this out to FF members is the way to go.
I suspect that even if this is wildly successful, that UA will promptly break it by trying to scalp business travelers by more seats overbooked on more flights.
Feb 26, 2018, 12:23 am
#119
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Hertz PC
Posts: 657
Volunteering to be bumped on app question
Was checking in for my flight Monday evening LAS-DEN-MCI. On app it ask what amount of money I would be willing to take a next day flight. I typed in $1000 and finished check in process.
Orginally thought I was flexible to stay extra night in Vegas but now may have to be back to KC by noon on Tuesday.
Question is I'm I locked into being bumped or still my decision at airport before boarding?
Orginally thought I was flexible to stay extra night in Vegas but now may have to be back to KC by noon on Tuesday.
Question is I'm I locked into being bumped or still my decision at airport before boarding?
Feb 26, 2018, 12:38 am
#120
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,214
I am interested in knowing the answer as well. I declined the offer for LAS-SFO on Monday morning as I knew I needed to be back in SAN in the early afternoon.
However, my recollection of the offer was that I could change my mind at the airport but not certain on that point.
However, my recollection of the offer was that I could change my mind at the airport but not certain on that point.