Jan 3, 2018, 12:29 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Previous thread -
Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump on UA [2017]
Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump on UA [2016]
Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump on UA [2015]
Related thread - Is this IDB? Am I entitled to IDB compensation? [Consolidated]
VDB -- Voluntary Denied Boarding -- is when the flight is overbooked and the airline is looking for volunteers to change their travel plans. It is voluntary and you do not need to participate. The compensation is 100% negotiable. It could be $100's in future travel vouchers, it might be food vouchers, a different routing (perhaps more direct or for MR's more indirect
), perhaps lodging if overnight and sometimes a bump in cabin. It all depends on how desperate the airline is and how flexible you are.
The standard UA policy is after you have agreed to a voucher amount and additional VDBs are still needed, if those passengers get a higher amount, you will also get the higher amount.
The are no DoT requirement for VDB compensation, it is whatever you and the airline agree to. The DoT does require the airline to try VDB before moving to IDB.
Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump on UA [2017]
Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump on UA [2016]
Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump on UA [2015]
Related thread - Is this IDB? Am I entitled to IDB compensation? [Consolidated]
VDB -- Voluntary Denied Boarding -- is when the flight is overbooked and the airline is looking for volunteers to change their travel plans. It is voluntary and you do not need to participate. The compensation is 100% negotiable. It could be $100's in future travel vouchers, it might be food vouchers, a different routing (perhaps more direct or for MR's more indirect
), perhaps lodging if overnight and sometimes a bump in cabin. It all depends on how desperate the airline is and how flexible you are.The standard UA policy is after you have agreed to a voucher amount and additional VDBs are still needed, if those passengers get a higher amount, you will also get the higher amount.
The are no DoT requirement for VDB compensation, it is whatever you and the airline agree to. The DoT does require the airline to try VDB before moving to IDB.
The changing story of IDB on UA since the merge and post-Dao
source: BTS Data
source: BTS Data
Code:
IDB/VDB data for UA (w/o UX) 1st Qtr Year VDB IDB 2018 8,214 27 2017 15,917 900 2016 14,380 929 2015 17,373 1,817 2014 21,469 4,395 2013 14,095 2,592 IDB/VDB data for UA (w/ UX) 1st Qtr Year VDB IDB 2018 16,973 51
Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump Experiences on UA [2018]
Aug 21, 2018, 8:32 pm
#391
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
US$800, not CAN. I believe all UA VDB vouchers are issued in USD, not local currency. Meal vouchers were issued in CAN, in parentheses, equivalent in USD
Aug 25, 2018, 4:31 pm
#392
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
UA535 SFO-EWR 11:35am today, E+. GA asked for one volunteer @$700 voucher + Business seat on the 6am tomorrow. I had the flexibility, and having recently reached Plat was right in front of her in BG1, so a nod was all it took. A couple more hopefuls queued up behind me, so I didn't haggle. A quick Uber home and I'm enjoying the balmy SF afternoon.
Question: I'm considering SDCing to the 11:35am tomorrow. That shows as an option via the app, which only displays open Business seats for the change - is there any reason the SDC wouldn't go through?
Question: I'm considering SDCing to the 11:35am tomorrow. That shows as an option via the app, which only displays open Business seats for the change - is there any reason the SDC wouldn't go through?
Aug 25, 2018, 5:20 pm
#393
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
UA535 SFO-EWR 11:35am today, E+. GA asked for one volunteer @$700 voucher + Business seat on the 6am tomorrow. I had the flexibility, and having recently reached Plat was right in front of her in BG1, so a nod was all it took. A couple more hopefuls queued up behind me, so I didn't haggle. A quick Uber home and I'm enjoying the balmy SF afternoon. ...
Flexibility is the friend of the VDBer.
Aug 26, 2018, 11:34 am
#395
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Looks like your flight UA2044 is in pretty rough shape today as well... will you try for a double-dip?
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 26, 2018 at 1:48 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Aug 26, 2018, 3:14 pm
#396
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
Suggestions? What kind of double dip would you advise? Right now I'm just hunkering down and getting some work done, viewing it as a redeye and being thankful for the lie-flat. But I don't have much faith in the estimated 7:30pm(!) departure (as if that weren't bad enough.) Any coaching welcome
Btw: NO advance notification from UA. Plane coming from EWR - so they must have known in advance. Per the app it actually departed EWR at 4pm and is due SFO at 7:17pm, so I'm guessing we'll actually dep 7:45-8pm. Grrrrr.
Last edited by mehitabel; Aug 26, 2018 at 3:20 pm
Aug 26, 2018, 9:07 pm
#397
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Ha, good catch. It IS in rough shape - in the UC club now crying into my coffee. Looks like half the flights going through EWR are delayed - the 11:35am just announced boarding, 2.5 hours late. UC help desk fielding a long line of pax in similar high dudgeon. They even checked other carriers into JFK, but everything full up this aft and into the evening.
Suggestions? What kind of double dip would you advise? Right now I'm just hunkering down and getting some work done, viewing it as a redeye and being thankful for the lie-flat. But I don't have much faith in the estimated 7:30pm(!) departure (as if that weren't bad enough.) Any coaching welcome
Btw: NO advance notification from UA. Plane coming from EWR - so they must have known in advance. Per the app it actually departed EWR at 4pm and is due SFO at 7:17pm, so I'm guessing we'll actually dep 7:45-8pm. Grrrrr.
Suggestions? What kind of double dip would you advise? Right now I'm just hunkering down and getting some work done, viewing it as a redeye and being thankful for the lie-flat. But I don't have much faith in the estimated 7:30pm(!) departure (as if that weren't bad enough.) Any coaching welcome
Btw: NO advance notification from UA. Plane coming from EWR - so they must have known in advance. Per the app it actually departed EWR at 4pm and is due SFO at 7:17pm, so I'm guessing we'll actually dep 7:45-8pm. Grrrrr.
Looks like they finally got you out... red eye flight in J is not a bad deal..... 5 hours late stinks though. At least you aren't on the 11:35am flight, which is delayed til 9pm because of ATC + mx now. LOL
Aug 27, 2018, 10:48 am
#398
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
My guess would be ATC in EWR... they likely changed aircraft logistics and utilized your aircraft for another flight that was likely impacted by inbounds.... hard to say for sure. Yeah... what a mess. I just left SFO an hour ago and saw the mess on the boards.
Looks like they finally got you out... red eye flight in J is not a bad deal..... 5 hours late stinks though. At least you aren't on the 11:35am flight, which is delayed til 9pm because of ATC + mx now. LOL
Looks like they finally got you out... red eye flight in J is not a bad deal..... 5 hours late stinks though. At least you aren't on the 11:35am flight, which is delayed til 9pm because of ATC + mx now. LOL
Sep 14, 2018, 8:01 pm
#399
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: BWI/DCA/IAD
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titan., Hilton Diamond, Hertz Pres
Posts: 143
9/14 BHM-ORD. Board as normal and ready to push when the GA comes down and sheepishly says we’re +1. $2,000. I’m in downtown Birmingham celebrating and searching for R>1 for an anniversary trip.
Sep 14, 2018, 8:46 pm
#400
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 58
Is there a way to proactively sign up for VDB? Or is it only when the gate agents make an announcement?
Sep 14, 2018, 9:51 pm
#401
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
Generally, I ask about an oversale situation any time it looks promising (F0Y0 a day or two before the flight is often a good indicator, as is the kiosk prompt). I never wait for the announcement, as it's much better to be proactive than to be part of a mad rush up to the gate.
Sep 15, 2018, 12:00 am
#402
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Sometimes UA will ask for your interest before traveling, generally at check-in but occasionally even earlier (pretty rare).
Proactive would not make sense since there is no need for creating a list for most flights. But when UA thinks there is a chance, it will let you know.
However, if you think the flight is oversold and you haven't seen a request, you can ask the GA.
Sep 15, 2018, 7:07 am
#403
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
You'll often be prompted to volunteer on the app, during online check in, or at the kiosk. However, doing so just puts your name on an interest list; you'd still want to check with the agent, preferably as soon as the gate is staffed.
Generally, I ask about an oversale situation any time it looks promising (F0Y0 a day or two before the flight is often a good indicator, as is the kiosk prompt). I never wait for the announcement, as it's much better to be proactive than to be part of a mad rush up to the gate.
Generally, I ask about an oversale situation any time it looks promising (F0Y0 a day or two before the flight is often a good indicator, as is the kiosk prompt). I never wait for the announcement, as it's much better to be proactive than to be part of a mad rush up to the gate.
Proactively no
Sometimes UA will ask for your interest before traveling, generally at check-in but occasionally even earlier (pretty rare).
Proactive would not make sense since there is no need for creating a list for most flights. But when UA thinks there is a chance, it will let you know.
However, if you think the flight is oversold and you haven't seen a request, you can ask the GA.
Sometimes UA will ask for your interest before traveling, generally at check-in but occasionally even earlier (pretty rare).
Proactive would not make sense since there is no need for creating a list for most flights. But when UA thinks there is a chance, it will let you know.
However, if you think the flight is oversold and you haven't seen a request, you can ask the GA.
Sep 15, 2018, 8:28 am
#404
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 58
Got it. Thank you!
thanks!
Thanks for the advice!
Proactively no
Sometimes UA will ask for your interest before traveling, generally at check-in but occasionally even earlier (pretty rare).
Proactive would not make sense since there is no need for creating a list for most flights. But when UA thinks there is a chance, it will let you know.
However, if you think the flight is oversold and you haven't seen a request, you can ask the GA.
Sometimes UA will ask for your interest before traveling, generally at check-in but occasionally even earlier (pretty rare).
Proactive would not make sense since there is no need for creating a list for most flights. But when UA thinks there is a chance, it will let you know.
However, if you think the flight is oversold and you haven't seen a request, you can ask the GA.
You'll often be prompted to volunteer on the app, during online check in, or at the kiosk. However, doing so just puts your name on an interest list; you'd still want to check with the agent, preferably as soon as the gate is staffed.
Generally, I ask about an oversale situation any time it looks promising (F0Y0 a day or two before the flight is often a good indicator, as is the kiosk prompt). I never wait for the announcement, as it's much better to be proactive than to be part of a mad rush up to the gate.
Generally, I ask about an oversale situation any time it looks promising (F0Y0 a day or two before the flight is often a good indicator, as is the kiosk prompt). I never wait for the announcement, as it's much better to be proactive than to be part of a mad rush up to the gate.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Sep 15, 2018 at 11:38 am Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Sep 17, 2018, 8:07 am
#405
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
UA 5375 DEN-FAT over by 1 today.... everyone showed and I took $500 to fly to SJC. Only arriving at my final location 2hr late.... not bad.... though I should have put in for more as I was the o ly person on the vol list.