Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump Experiences on UA [2019]
Aug 1, 2019, 6:14 am
#256
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
ORD-PWM was oversold this morning. Flight was something like 9am-noon. Only option app gave today was the next UA nonstop at like 9pm. Still, I put my name on the list, and once I got to the gate, I saw I was protected on ORD-EWR-PWM getting in at 3pm. When I asked what the compensation was, the GA mummered something about $300, she asked what I was looking for, so I mentioned the app offered me $550 as the lowest amount (which is true, albeit for a 10hr delay). She said let's just do $600.
So I got my first score of the year, as well as a $20 meal voucher. Only downside is I like to collect airline routes, and ORD-PWM would have been a new one for me.
I'll be using the voucher to take myself and fiancee to San Diego for my birthday
Also, I was given the option of my travel voucher being emailed, which I did (and received immediately). I know my last post I mentioned it for another guy, but is this a new trend? I've never had the option (although it's been like a year since I got a VDB). It's much nicer then getting the paper receipt.
So I got my first score of the year, as well as a $20 meal voucher. Only downside is I like to collect airline routes, and ORD-PWM would have been a new one for me.
I'll be using the voucher to take myself and fiancee to San Diego for my birthday
Also, I was given the option of my travel voucher being emailed, which I did (and received immediately). I know my last post I mentioned it for another guy, but is this a new trend? I've never had the option (although it's been like a year since I got a VDB). It's much nicer then getting the paper receipt.
Aug 7, 2019, 10:41 am
#257
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SBA and LAX
Programs: AA, UA
Posts: 334
Does UA allow changing flights to nearby airports when rescheduling after VDB? Specifically, I am flying BOS-SFO-SBA at the end of labor day weekend and unless most people who bought BE paid for seats, it seems like potentially they will have to ask for VDB volunteers. If that is to be the case, would they let me rebook, BOS-LAX (no connecting SFO-SBA flights if I take a later BOS-SFO).
Last edited by daKav; Aug 7, 2019 at 1:52 pm
Aug 7, 2019, 10:43 am
#258
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,422
Does UA allow changing flights to nearby airports when rescheduling after VDB? Specifically, I am flying BOS-SFO-SBA at the end of labor day weekend and unless most people who bought BE paid for seats, it seems like potentially they will have to ask for VDB volunteers. If that is to be the case, would they let me rebook, BOS-LAX (no connecting SFO-SBA flights ), if I take a later BOS-SFO.
Aug 7, 2019, 10:44 am
#259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413
Does UA allow changing flights to nearby airports when rescheduling after VDB? Specifically, I am flying BOS-SFO-SBA at the end of labor day weekend and unless most people who bought BE paid for seats, it seems like potentially they will have to ask for VDB volunteers. If that is to be the case, would they let me rebook, BOS-LAX (no connecting SFO-SBA flights ), if I take a later BOS-SFO.
Aug 7, 2019, 12:48 pm
#260
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: SBA and LAX
Programs: AA, UA
Posts: 334
Aug 8, 2019, 12:12 am
#261
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
Interesting experience for VDB for a flight tomorrow. I need to arrive by a certain time but for a price would be willing to cut it finer. I put in $5,000 and it returned as an error. Maximum was $2,000. I input $2,000 knowing it is unlikely they will pay it nor would I take it, but for a higher amount may be willing.
However, what was of greater interest was the acknowledgement of the policies including the maximum amounts United needs to pay. Depending upon whether you get there within an hour or another time (2 hours?). The maximum that would be paid is 400% of the fare or $1,350 so my bid of $2,000 apparently exceeds the IDB(?) that needs to be paid.
So I think United is looking to set limits on VDB payments. I certainly am unlikely to accept VDBs on the terms they outlined in the notice. I an generally going somewhere for a reason and want to be there at a certain time. I guess as a 1K they are less likely to pull me from a flight than a lower tier elite for IDB but it seems a concerning trend (or perhaps I was just not aware of the previous limits).
However, what was of greater interest was the acknowledgement of the policies including the maximum amounts United needs to pay. Depending upon whether you get there within an hour or another time (2 hours?). The maximum that would be paid is 400% of the fare or $1,350 so my bid of $2,000 apparently exceeds the IDB(?) that needs to be paid.
So I think United is looking to set limits on VDB payments. I certainly am unlikely to accept VDBs on the terms they outlined in the notice. I an generally going somewhere for a reason and want to be there at a certain time. I guess as a 1K they are less likely to pull me from a flight than a lower tier elite for IDB but it seems a concerning trend (or perhaps I was just not aware of the previous limits).
Aug 8, 2019, 12:56 am
#262
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
Aug 8, 2019, 5:51 am
#263
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Interesting experience for VDB for a flight tomorrow. I need to arrive by a certain time but for a price would be willing to cut it finer. I put in $5,000 and it returned as an error. Maximum was $2,000. I input $2,000 knowing it is unlikely they will pay it nor would I take it, but for a higher amount may be willing.
However, what was of greater interest was the acknowledgement of the policies including the maximum amounts United needs to pay. Depending upon whether you get there within an hour or another time (2 hours?). The maximum that would be paid is 400% of the fare or $1,350 so my bid of $2,000 apparently exceeds the IDB(?) that needs to be paid.
So I think United is looking to set limits on VDB payments. I certainly am unlikely to accept VDBs on the terms they outlined in the notice. I an generally going somewhere for a reason and want to be there at a certain time. I guess as a 1K they are less likely to pull me from a flight than a lower tier elite for IDB but it seems a concerning trend (or perhaps I was just not aware of the previous limits).
However, what was of greater interest was the acknowledgement of the policies including the maximum amounts United needs to pay. Depending upon whether you get there within an hour or another time (2 hours?). The maximum that would be paid is 400% of the fare or $1,350 so my bid of $2,000 apparently exceeds the IDB(?) that needs to be paid.
So I think United is looking to set limits on VDB payments. I certainly am unlikely to accept VDBs on the terms they outlined in the notice. I an generally going somewhere for a reason and want to be there at a certain time. I guess as a 1K they are less likely to pull me from a flight than a lower tier elite for IDB but it seems a concerning trend (or perhaps I was just not aware of the previous limits).
Aug 8, 2019, 7:34 am
#264
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,422
However, what was of greater interest was the acknowledgement of the policies including the maximum amounts United needs to pay. Depending upon whether you get there within an hour or another time (2 hours?). The maximum that would be paid is 400% of the fare or $1,350 so my bid of $2,000 apparently exceeds the IDB(?) that needs to be paid.
So I think United is looking to set limits on VDB payments. I certainly am unlikely to accept VDBs on the terms they outlined in the notice. I an generally going somewhere for a reason and want to be there at a certain time. I guess as a 1K they are less likely to pull me from a flight than a lower tier elite for IDB but it seems a concerning trend (or perhaps I was just not aware of the previous limits).
So I think United is looking to set limits on VDB payments. I certainly am unlikely to accept VDBs on the terms they outlined in the notice. I an generally going somewhere for a reason and want to be there at a certain time. I guess as a 1K they are less likely to pull me from a flight than a lower tier elite for IDB but it seems a concerning trend (or perhaps I was just not aware of the previous limits).
Aug 8, 2019, 7:42 am
#265
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: Amex Plat, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold, Carlson Gold, CM Presidential / *A Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 1,648
Aug 8, 2019, 8:00 am
#266
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 258
On 8/8/19 EWR to PDX. Over by 1.
$1000 etc to take same flight 24 hours later
$1000 etc to take same flight 24 hours later
Aug 8, 2019, 8:01 am
#267
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Also IDBs yield an unhappy customer and bad media coverage, whereas VDBs tend to be happy and post glowing stories to their social media about how United "flew them to their vacation for free" or whatever.
Aug 8, 2019, 11:43 am
#268
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
Aug 8, 2019, 1:34 pm
#269
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,335
I doubt UA is going to implement limits (aside from the existing 10k cap). They are probably trying to trick (or prime if you prefer) people into choosing reasonable figures. IIRC ETCs are accounted as 25% of the face value so your VDB bid did not exceed the IDB comp. Plus there are public perception benefits outlined above. I once had a GA tell me "you'll be getting in within an hour of the scheduled arrival so you should be happy to take $150" and he was certainly right (about the first part lol). That ETC ended up getting lost (he claimed it would be emailed) and the customer service agent who reissued it bumped it up to $200 without me asking
Aug 8, 2019, 5:53 pm
#270
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,413