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]
Sep 26, 2018, 8:33 am
#436
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SFO
Programs: COdbaUA Platinum 2MM
Posts: 5,532
Took $2000 for de-planing UA1796 SFO-EWR on 2018-08-30. They were over by 4, 2 people got $700 and business on the 6am. Got offered the 11:30am departure the next day, tried standing by for the 1am (missed it by 3 minutes when the last passenger arrived), and took the 5am to DEN and then connected onward to EWR. Spent the night in the terminal working, and my one meeting the next day got moved, so I'm very happy with that outcome.
The irony is, I had put myself on the list at check-in, but didn't hear them call my name since I was in the lounge! Probably netted me $1000!
The irony is, I had put myself on the list at check-in, but didn't hear them call my name since I was in the lounge! Probably netted me $1000!
When I volunteer, I always make a point to check with gate agent at T-60 to make sure I am on the volunteer list.
Sep 26, 2018, 9:36 am
#437
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: San Fransisco, CA
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 172
fun other tidbit: people on the 777 were applauding me as I walked up to L2, I’m guessing it was all families traveling for Labor Day weekend.
Oct 13, 2018, 6:30 am
#438
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
At the last step during check-in for a flight tomorrow on a CR2, I got a VDB form. First time I see one of those. Form asked me to check one of $100, $200, $300, $400 or name my own price. I declined to volunteer.
Oct 13, 2018, 9:23 am
#439
Moderator: Smoking Lounge; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SFO
Programs: Lifetime (for now) Gold MM, HH Gold, Giving Tootsie Pops to UA employees, & a retired hockey goalie
Posts: 28,878
Oct 13, 2018, 8:42 pm
#440
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
I always write in $1000 .... and then try to be the first in line when the GA arrives. It's pretty rare these days in VDB situations that it is worth less than $500 (with the exception of some rare occasions where you can get in an hour or two late). Many of mine this year have involved taking flights to alternate airports, which has been a saving grace, but definitely not convenient for most.
Oct 14, 2018, 12:07 am
#441
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 131
Ms. Resonant Programer was travelling SFO-BOS on Wednesday. She was booked in Y, but I gave here an RPU. As expected, she was hopelessly far down the upgrade list.
GA asked for volunteers due to oversold flight. Ms. Resonant Programer accepted and was rebooked on the next flight. The GA rebooked her on a C fare in business class. Ms. Resonant Programer was told she was being upgraded since there were no Y seats left on the next flight. The RPU was returned to my account. The flight left with a lengthy uncleared upgrade list.
GA asked for volunteers due to oversold flight. Ms. Resonant Programer accepted and was rebooked on the next flight. The GA rebooked her on a C fare in business class. Ms. Resonant Programer was told she was being upgraded since there were no Y seats left on the next flight. The RPU was returned to my account. The flight left with a lengthy uncleared upgrade list.
Oct 14, 2018, 12:10 am
#442
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Ms. Resonant Programer was travelling SFO-BOS on Wednesday. She was booked in Y, but I gave here an RPU. As expected, she was hopelessly far down the upgrade list.
GA asked for volunteers due to oversold flight. Ms. Resonant Programer accepted and was rebooked on the next flight. The GA rebooked her on a C fare in business class. Ms. Resonant Programer was told she was being upgraded since there were no Y seats left on the next flight. The RPU was returned to my account. The flight left with a lengthy uncleared upgrade list.
GA asked for volunteers due to oversold flight. Ms. Resonant Programer accepted and was rebooked on the next flight. The GA rebooked her on a C fare in business class. Ms. Resonant Programer was told she was being upgraded since there were no Y seats left on the next flight. The RPU was returned to my account. The flight left with a lengthy uncleared upgrade list.
David
Oct 14, 2018, 12:36 am
#444
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,395
Oct 14, 2018, 5:33 am
#445
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
I always write in $1000 .... and then try to be the first in line when the GA arrives. It's pretty rare these days in VDB situations that it is worth less than $500 (with the exception of some rare occasions where you can get in an hour or two late). Many of mine this year have involved taking flights to alternate airports, which has been a saving grace, but definitely not convenient for most.
Oct 14, 2018, 11:27 am
#446
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
With the increased PQD requirements coming into play next year, earning some 'free' PQD via VDB will be more important than ever! 
Oct 14, 2018, 11:46 am
#447
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,218
Oct 14, 2018, 12:06 pm
#449
Join Date: May 2001
Location: RNO, NV, USA.
Programs: UA 2MM
Posts: 5,062
Oct 15, 2018, 9:25 pm
#450
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bethesda, MD
Programs: UA Million Miler, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 814
Took a bump from IAD - BNA and got $500. Was rerouted DCA - ORD and ORD - BNA.