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]
Jan 11, 2018, 1:10 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
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So, I have a red-eye SFO-ORD tonight which prompted for volunteers at check-in. I'm connecting to a trip ORD-IAD-ZRH-BOM which is also booked with UA but on a separate PNR (I booked this before moving from ORD to SFO, cheaper to buy surrounding flight than pay change fee/fare difference) with about 4 hours in between. Looking at SFO-ORD flights for late tonight/early tomorrow, they all seem pretty full (F=0, Y = 5 or fewer). If they do end up needing volunteers for my flight, would they be willing/able to combine the PNRs and bump me to some routing that gets me to IAD? How desperate would they have to be to consider this? :P
Besides, you can fly all UA metal with this reroute.
Jan 11, 2018, 2:35 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,393
Unless you are trying to run miles, you should try for SFO-EWR-BOM ... and see if they will give you J on the P.S. flight. As long as I would get a decent E+ seat on the EWR-BOM in making that change, I would be very happy to take any offer for this routing.
Besides, you can fly all UA metal with this reroute.
Besides, you can fly all UA metal with this reroute.
My advice is to arrive at the gate early, and be prepared if they need volunteers. Validate that there's a seat available on the flights that you want, and be ready to explain the situation as well as exactly what you want. They will take volunteers who don't need hotel rooms ahead of those who do, so if you can get onto another redeye, that will help.
Jan 11, 2018, 3:25 pm
#18
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Join Date: Aug 2005
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So, I have a red-eye SFO-ORD tonight which prompted for volunteers at check-in. I'm connecting to a trip ORD-IAD-ZRH-BOM which is also booked with UA but on a separate PNR (I booked this before moving from ORD to SFO, cheaper to buy surrounding flight than pay change fee/fare difference) with about 4 hours in between. Looking at SFO-ORD flights for late tonight/early tomorrow, they all seem pretty full (F=0, Y = 5 or fewer). If they do end up needing volunteers for my flight, would they be willing/able to combine the PNRs and bump me to some routing that gets me to IAD? How desperate would they have to be to consider this? :P
Jan 11, 2018, 4:05 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
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Posts: 6,850
Jan 11, 2018, 4:20 pm
#20
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
Jan 11, 2018, 5:16 pm
#21
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,850
Jan 11, 2018, 6:00 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
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Posts: 1,511
Offered to volunteer LHR-IAD this past Sunday which was way oversold (EWR storm). Was going to process the voucher at check in, but because I had a connecting IAD-SFO segment it was a no go. The agent was actually very competent, but could literally find no availability to SFO/SJC on UA in Y/J and ANY airline in Y for the next 2 days, by when I had to be back. I checked myself to make sure, and everything was indeed sold out. There was availability to the east coast for those days, but nothing connecting to SFO/SJC. Bummer.
Jan 11, 2018, 6:15 pm
#23
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
Offered to volunteer LHR-IAD this past Sunday which was way oversold (EWR storm). Was going to process the voucher at check in, but because I had a connecting IAD-SFO segment it was a no go. The agent was actually very competent, but could literally find no availability to SFO/SJC on UA in Y/J and ANY airline in Y for the next 2 days, by when I had to be back. I checked myself to make sure, and everything was indeed sold out. There was availability to the east coast for those days, but nothing connecting to SFO/SJC. Bummer.
Jan 11, 2018, 6:33 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
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Posts: 32,028
Offered to volunteer LHR-IAD this past Sunday which was way oversold (EWR storm). Was going to process the voucher at check in, but because I had a connecting IAD-SFO segment it was a no go. The agent was actually very competent, but could literally find no availability to SFO/SJC on UA in Y/J and ANY airline in Y for the next 2 days, by when I had to be back. I checked myself to make sure, and everything was indeed sold out. There was availability to the east coast for those days, but nothing connecting to SFO/SJC. Bummer.
flights sell out months in advance
Jan 11, 2018, 8:01 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 451
They can do anything when sufficiently motivated. The key here is to have them change SFO-ORD to SFO-EWR and ORD-BOM to EWR-BOM. (or SFO-IAD and IAD-BOM). Neither of those are insane changes, so there's a possibility that it would work out. However, you'd need a fairly experienced agent and they'd probably have to really need your seat.
My advice is to arrive at the gate early, and be prepared if they need volunteers. Validate that there's a seat available on the flights that you want, and be ready to explain the situation as well as exactly what you want. They will take volunteers who don't need hotel rooms ahead of those who do, so if you can get onto another redeye, that will help.
My advice is to arrive at the gate early, and be prepared if they need volunteers. Validate that there's a seat available on the flights that you want, and be ready to explain the situation as well as exactly what you want. They will take volunteers who don't need hotel rooms ahead of those who do, so if you can get onto another redeye, that will help.
Jan 12, 2018, 12:28 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
Programs: OZ Diamond (*G), KQ Asante Gold (ST+), Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,511
Like I have said before, standby usually works out well in these cases.... especially weather disruptions as there are many no-shows. Even though no availability shows, most flights go out with standbys taken. If you had a day to spare, you would probably be fine (if not out on one of the first flights you stand by for)..... this only works well if you have status.
Would they even cover hotel if we got moved to stand by and didn't clear?
Jan 12, 2018, 12:32 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK
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Jan 16, 2018, 6:16 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
For the first time ever, I think I regret vdb’ing.
due to the weather waiver in iah I was able to reroute sfo-ewr-iah-qro, in business. I was in paid business class and it was going to be my first time trying a domestic premium product. They announced they needed a volunteer for the 1040pm redeye starting at 500 and a hotel. I jumped on it since I was going to have a 1hour layover in iah anyways due to flight cancellations today to queretaro.
at the very end, they let me board, then came running back down to grab me because they did need me. I was rerouted sfo-mex-qro, mex-qro on Aeromexico. I had to fight for compensation because they said I was getting in four hours earlier.
i said I would only volunteer my seat for compensation, since J in a 772 overnight to a 4 hour a320 flight is a pretty big downgrade, and a 10 hour layover in Mexico City now.
I tried to ask for more since Ua wouldn’t need to get a hotel, but they wouldn’t budge, and I think we’re frustrated at me to begin with since I was still going for compensation despite getting in earlier.
so business from sfo-ewr-iah-qro to biz sfo-mex and economy mex-qro, $500, and a $20 food voucher that I don’t even know if it works in Mexico’s t2.
I Would think needing a biz class seat for a premium route would go for at least 1k. I now have 8 hours to kill in mex, and kind of regret doing this. I could really use the voucher though.
i guess the silver lining is not laying over in Newark and Houston? And Maybe I will have avoided more
due to the weather waiver in iah I was able to reroute sfo-ewr-iah-qro, in business. I was in paid business class and it was going to be my first time trying a domestic premium product. They announced they needed a volunteer for the 1040pm redeye starting at 500 and a hotel. I jumped on it since I was going to have a 1hour layover in iah anyways due to flight cancellations today to queretaro.
at the very end, they let me board, then came running back down to grab me because they did need me. I was rerouted sfo-mex-qro, mex-qro on Aeromexico. I had to fight for compensation because they said I was getting in four hours earlier.
i said I would only volunteer my seat for compensation, since J in a 772 overnight to a 4 hour a320 flight is a pretty big downgrade, and a 10 hour layover in Mexico City now.
I tried to ask for more since Ua wouldn’t need to get a hotel, but they wouldn’t budge, and I think we’re frustrated at me to begin with since I was still going for compensation despite getting in earlier.
so business from sfo-ewr-iah-qro to biz sfo-mex and economy mex-qro, $500, and a $20 food voucher that I don’t even know if it works in Mexico’s t2.
I Would think needing a biz class seat for a premium route would go for at least 1k. I now have 8 hours to kill in mex, and kind of regret doing this. I could really use the voucher though.
i guess the silver lining is not laying over in Newark and Houston? And Maybe I will have avoided more
Houston weather problems.
Last edited by BThumme; Jan 16, 2018 at 6:22 am
Jan 16, 2018, 7:14 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: UA 1K; *G, AA Plat
Posts: 1,700
For the first time ever, I think I regret vdb’ing.
due to the weather waiver in iah I was able to reroute sfo-ewr-iah-qro, in business. I was in paid business class and it was going to be my first time trying a domestic premium product. They announced they needed a volunteer for the 1040pm redeye starting at 500 and a hotel. I jumped on it since I was going to have a 1hour layover in iah anyways due to flight cancellations today to queretaro.
at the very end, they let me board, then came running back down to grab me because they did need me. I was rerouted sfo-mex-qro, mex-qro on Aeromexico. I had to fight for compensation because they said I was getting in four hours earlier.
i said I would only volunteer my seat for compensation, since J in a 772 overnight to a 4 hour a320 flight is a pretty big downgrade, and a 10 hour layover in Mexico City now.
I tried to ask for more since Ua wouldn’t need to get a hotel, but they wouldn’t budge, and I think we’re frustrated at me to begin with since I was still going for compensation despite getting in earlier.
so business from sfo-ewr-iah-qro to biz sfo-mex and economy mex-qro, $500, and a $20 food voucher that I don’t even know if it works in Mexico’s t2.
I Would think needing a biz class seat for a premium route would go for at least 1k. I now have 8 hours to kill in mex, and kind of regret doing this. I could really use the voucher though.
i guess the silver lining is not laying over in Newark and Houston? And Maybe I will have avoided more
due to the weather waiver in iah I was able to reroute sfo-ewr-iah-qro, in business. I was in paid business class and it was going to be my first time trying a domestic premium product. They announced they needed a volunteer for the 1040pm redeye starting at 500 and a hotel. I jumped on it since I was going to have a 1hour layover in iah anyways due to flight cancellations today to queretaro.
at the very end, they let me board, then came running back down to grab me because they did need me. I was rerouted sfo-mex-qro, mex-qro on Aeromexico. I had to fight for compensation because they said I was getting in four hours earlier.
i said I would only volunteer my seat for compensation, since J in a 772 overnight to a 4 hour a320 flight is a pretty big downgrade, and a 10 hour layover in Mexico City now.
I tried to ask for more since Ua wouldn’t need to get a hotel, but they wouldn’t budge, and I think we’re frustrated at me to begin with since I was still going for compensation despite getting in earlier.
so business from sfo-ewr-iah-qro to biz sfo-mex and economy mex-qro, $500, and a $20 food voucher that I don’t even know if it works in Mexico’s t2.
I Would think needing a biz class seat for a premium route would go for at least 1k. I now have 8 hours to kill in mex, and kind of regret doing this. I could really use the voucher though.
i guess the silver lining is not laying over in Newark and Houston? And Maybe I will have avoided more
Houston weather problems.
Jan 16, 2018, 9:48 am
#30
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
For the first time ever, I think I regret vdb’ing.
due to the weather waiver in iah I was able to reroute sfo-ewr-iah-qro, in business. I was in paid business class and it was going to be my first time trying a domestic premium product. They announced they needed a volunteer for the 1040pm redeye starting at 500 and a hotel. I jumped on it since I was going to have a 1hour layover in iah anyways due to flight cancellations today to queretaro. ...
due to the weather waiver in iah I was able to reroute sfo-ewr-iah-qro, in business. I was in paid business class and it was going to be my first time trying a domestic premium product. They announced they needed a volunteer for the 1040pm redeye starting at 500 and a hotel. I jumped on it since I was going to have a 1hour layover in iah anyways due to flight cancellations today to queretaro. ...