Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump Experiences on UA [2019]
Aug 15, 2019, 9:06 am
#301
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,219
8/14 GVA to EWR, Coach was full and 2 on the standby list but Polaris business was only booked 8(+10) out of 30. When I was at the airport and checking the app, it gave me options to take a later flight with a confirmed seat for $350 ETC or put in a bid for those later flights. I put in $1500 for those 3 flights that showed. When I got to the gate and checked the app, my seat opened up so I thought they took my bid but they ended up bumping me up to Polaris business! Finally a free upgrade 
but i would've been ok for GVA-IAD-EWR for $1500...
but i would've been ok for GVA-IAD-EWR for $1500...
Aug 17, 2019, 7:50 pm
#302
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 51
Is there a realistic chance of getting bumped or should I opt for comfort?
Preface
So I was flying AUH-ORD and then onwards to SEA in UA back in March. While checking in, the overbooked offer came up and I entered $1000 without thinking. When I came to the gate I noticed the GA's talking about 'overbooked flights' and remembering my offer, I went to them and offered to get bumped. They looked relieved (no one else volunteered it was the last flight) and proceeded to bump me with the voucher, a hotel and a taxi (interestingly, another lady who got kicked got nothing except a hotel, I took her along and we flirted a bit but she told me a few hours later she was married). Long story short, I enjoyed the experience and am still using the voucher for cheap UA flights.
Current Situation
I'm taking Air China from LAX at 1:40 AM on the 20th of September and have to (separately, as always) book another flight SEA-LAX. Now, the sensible thing would be to book AA6052 which flies direct and arrives 10 PM with just under 4 hours to go for my onwards flight.
However, I wonder if I could take an earlier UA flight and hope to get bump to a later one. To be precise, I'm looking at the following flights (connection through SFO) on 19 Sept:
Let me know your thoughts!
So I was flying AUH-ORD and then onwards to SEA in UA back in March. While checking in, the overbooked offer came up and I entered $1000 without thinking. When I came to the gate I noticed the GA's talking about 'overbooked flights' and remembering my offer, I went to them and offered to get bumped. They looked relieved (no one else volunteered it was the last flight) and proceeded to bump me with the voucher, a hotel and a taxi (interestingly, another lady who got kicked got nothing except a hotel, I took her along and we flirted a bit but she told me a few hours later she was married). Long story short, I enjoyed the experience and am still using the voucher for cheap UA flights.
Current Situation
I'm taking Air China from LAX at 1:40 AM on the 20th of September and have to (separately, as always) book another flight SEA-LAX. Now, the sensible thing would be to book AA6052 which flies direct and arrives 10 PM with just under 4 hours to go for my onwards flight.
However, I wonder if I could take an earlier UA flight and hope to get bump to a later one. To be precise, I'm looking at the following flights (connection through SFO) on 19 Sept:
- UA 816 -> UA 229
- UA 1494 -> UA1200
- UA 414 (direct)
Let me know your thoughts!
Aug 17, 2019, 7:52 pm
#303
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
I think making a prediction more than a month out is impossible.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:00 pm
#304
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Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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Normally airlines only bump when they are certain that the flight is oversold, which doesn't happen until at least after check in closes for the flight and sometimes just before the door closes at T-15 or whatever. So it would be extraordinary to manage to get yourself bumped to an earlier flight......and if this happens, the airline might not be required to offer compensation as you would presumably not arrive at your destination later than the originally scheduled time.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:02 pm
#305
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 51
Normally airlines only bump when they are certain that the flight is oversold, which doesn't happen until at least after check in closes for the flight and sometimes just before the door closes at T-15 or whatever. So it would be extraordinary to manage to get yourself bumped to an earlier flight......and if this happens, the airline might not be required to offer compensation as you would presumably not arrive at your destination later than the originally scheduled time.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:05 pm
#306
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
Programs: UA/*A Gold, Global Entry, Marriott Plat, Hilton+IHG Gold, Hertz PC, DL
Posts: 1,752
that won't work out for you, man. trust me. anytime i'm actively trying to get a VDB, it never happens.
on the plus side, there are worse airports than LAX to be 'stuck' at for a few hours if you have nothing else to do that day. walk to in-n-out, uber to manhattan beach and hit the bars there. if you have access to the *A lounge in TBIT, catch a buzz there before your TPAC.
on the plus side, there are worse airports than LAX to be 'stuck' at for a few hours if you have nothing else to do that day. walk to in-n-out, uber to manhattan beach and hit the bars there. if you have access to the *A lounge in TBIT, catch a buzz there before your TPAC.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:05 pm
#307
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Who knows how mainland Chinese carriers handle bumps? It wouldn't surprise me if policy is to put you on another flight operated by Air China rather than a partner, which would probably mean the same flight on the following day. Plus, you would probably get a voucher good only on Air China, and it might be difficult or inconvenient to use the funds.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:12 pm
#308
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 51
.on the plus side, there are worse airports than LAX to be 'stuck' at for a few hours if you have nothing else to do that day. walk to in-n-out, uber to manhattan beach and hit the bars there. if you have access to the *A lounge in TBIT, catch a buzz there before your TPAC.
Who knows how mainland Chinese carriers handle bumps? It wouldn't surprise me if policy is to put you on another flight operated by Air China rather than a partner, which would probably mean the same flight on the following day. Plus, you would probably get a voucher good only on Air China, and it might be difficult or inconvenient to use the funds.
- Take earlier UA flight to LAX
- Hope to get VDB, take next available flight and still arrive before Air China departure 1:40 AM next day
- If not, arrive early in the day and wait out the extra time
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 17, 2019 at 8:19 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
Aug 17, 2019, 8:16 pm
#309
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
No
First, best to realize UA VDBs 1 passenger per 50 flights throughout the year. VDBs are rare and UA attempts to avoid them.
Very true, most VDBs occur due to irrops or peak leisure travel periods and UA has plenty of data to avoid most VDB situations, so predictable regular patterns do not exist. So best to think of VDB as double 00 on a roulette wheel.
Years ago it was easy to play the VDB game, the airlines have wised up and it most just plan luck nowadays.
First, best to realize UA VDBs 1 passenger per 50 flights throughout the year. VDBs are rare and UA attempts to avoid them.
Very true, most VDBs occur due to irrops or peak leisure travel periods and UA has plenty of data to avoid most VDB situations, so predictable regular patterns do not exist. So best to think of VDB as double 00 on a roulette wheel.
Years ago it was easy to play the VDB game, the airlines have wised up and it most just plan luck nowadays.
Aug 17, 2019, 8:25 pm
#310
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 51
This turns out to a probability of 0.006% which is quite surprisingly low. Given that me, my sister (both on UA) and my friend (TK) have all been bumped in the last year, it seemed a higher percentage anecdotally. This does put it into perspective though.
Aug 19, 2019, 5:43 am
#311
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
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Posts: 2,820
Watching MCO outbounds closely today.... many disruptions last night resulting in crew rest delays, and out of position crews. Delayed flights are putting pressure on already-full flights. I fly MCO-ORD at noon today.. betting it will be a high percentage to take a VDB or two. Update coming.
UPDATE: No bueno. Several people showed up to the check-in counter a couple minutes after the deadline (8 to be exact), and they were denied. Oversold by 4 ended up being 4 cleared stand-by pax. Flight prior to mine did take volunteers (not sure what the comp was). UA633, however, did not.
UPDATE: No bueno. Several people showed up to the check-in counter a couple minutes after the deadline (8 to be exact), and they were denied. Oversold by 4 ended up being 4 cleared stand-by pax. Flight prior to mine did take volunteers (not sure what the comp was). UA633, however, did not.
Last edited by jjmoore; Aug 19, 2019 at 11:32 am
Aug 22, 2019, 1:35 pm
#312
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: DL GM/MM; AS MVP-G
Posts: 600
UA5596, TVC-ORD, 8/22.
One volunteer taken -- $800 or 35k miles.
However, apparently 2 standbys cleared also, according to the GA?
And the volunteer wasn't processed correctly when they closed the flight, so now they're on the phone with the halp desk.
One volunteer taken -- $800 or 35k miles.
However, apparently 2 standbys cleared also, according to the GA?
And the volunteer wasn't processed correctly when they closed the flight, so now they're on the phone with the halp desk.
Aug 22, 2019, 6:15 pm
#313
Join Date: Sep 2018
Programs: hilton, amtrak, united, marriott, hyatt
Posts: 26
My recent experience with United voluntary bumping -- thoughts and advice, please.
At DTW, I checked in at the kiosk for a 4:49 pm flight to EWR. The electronic terminal displayed that the flight was in an overbooked status, and asked if I would be willing to give up my seat for compensation. I was given 3 alternate flights, and bid on each – $600 for the 6:22pm flight, $1,000 for the 7:10pm flight, and $1,000 for the 7:55pm flight.
At the gate, the agent asked for one volunteer for $500 (a little less than I bid, but still an acceptable amount to me). I volunteered; she took my name, pulled my details up on the computer, verbally confirmed I previously volunteered electronically, and could view my bid. She asked me to wait at my seat (next to the GA desk) until she called me.
She finished calling the boarding groups, and closed boarding. She addressed a lengthy issue with two travelers trying to make a connect with their international flight. I waited for her to finish, and caught her attention as she was readying to leave the desk – she had forgotten about me. She said I should have been on the departed flight.
She was polite, and apologetic. She rebooked me on the 6:22pm flight. I was given a $20 meal voucher and was emailed a customer care $150 electronic travel voucher.
I volunteer to be bumped often, and the gate agents have always told me to board whenever my seat was not needed.
My question to you Flyertalkers – Given the scenario, was the $150 customer care compensation appropriate? Or should I have received the $500 that was originally offered? Or the $600 I bid?
Your perspectives and advice is much appreciated.
At DTW, I checked in at the kiosk for a 4:49 pm flight to EWR. The electronic terminal displayed that the flight was in an overbooked status, and asked if I would be willing to give up my seat for compensation. I was given 3 alternate flights, and bid on each – $600 for the 6:22pm flight, $1,000 for the 7:10pm flight, and $1,000 for the 7:55pm flight.
At the gate, the agent asked for one volunteer for $500 (a little less than I bid, but still an acceptable amount to me). I volunteered; she took my name, pulled my details up on the computer, verbally confirmed I previously volunteered electronically, and could view my bid. She asked me to wait at my seat (next to the GA desk) until she called me.
She finished calling the boarding groups, and closed boarding. She addressed a lengthy issue with two travelers trying to make a connect with their international flight. I waited for her to finish, and caught her attention as she was readying to leave the desk – she had forgotten about me. She said I should have been on the departed flight.
She was polite, and apologetic. She rebooked me on the 6:22pm flight. I was given a $20 meal voucher and was emailed a customer care $150 electronic travel voucher.
I volunteer to be bumped often, and the gate agents have always told me to board whenever my seat was not needed.
My question to you Flyertalkers – Given the scenario, was the $150 customer care compensation appropriate? Or should I have received the $500 that was originally offered? Or the $600 I bid?
Your perspectives and advice is much appreciated.
Aug 22, 2019, 9:16 pm
#314
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,597
My recent experience with United voluntary bumping -- thoughts and advice, please.
At DTW, I checked in at the kiosk for a 4:49 pm flight to EWR. The electronic terminal displayed that the flight was in an overbooked status, and asked if I would be willing to give up my seat for compensation. I was given 3 alternate flights, and bid on each – $600 for the 6:22pm flight, $1,000 for the 7:10pm flight, and $1,000 for the 7:55pm flight.
At the gate, the agent asked for one volunteer for $500 (a little less than I bid, but still an acceptable amount to me). I volunteered; she took my name, pulled my details up on the computer, verbally confirmed I previously volunteered electronically, and could view my bid. She asked me to wait at my seat (next to the GA desk) until she called me.
She finished calling the boarding groups, and closed boarding. She addressed a lengthy issue with two travelers trying to make a connect with their international flight. I waited for her to finish, and caught her attention as she was readying to leave the desk – she had forgotten about me. She said I should have been on the departed flight.
She was polite, and apologetic. She rebooked me on the 6:22pm flight. I was given a $20 meal voucher and was emailed a customer care $150 electronic travel voucher.
I volunteer to be bumped often, and the gate agents have always told me to board whenever my seat was not needed.
My question to you Flyertalkers – Given the scenario, was the $150 customer care compensation appropriate? Or should I have received the $500 that was originally offered? Or the $600 I bid?
Your perspectives and advice is much appreciated.
At DTW, I checked in at the kiosk for a 4:49 pm flight to EWR. The electronic terminal displayed that the flight was in an overbooked status, and asked if I would be willing to give up my seat for compensation. I was given 3 alternate flights, and bid on each – $600 for the 6:22pm flight, $1,000 for the 7:10pm flight, and $1,000 for the 7:55pm flight.
At the gate, the agent asked for one volunteer for $500 (a little less than I bid, but still an acceptable amount to me). I volunteered; she took my name, pulled my details up on the computer, verbally confirmed I previously volunteered electronically, and could view my bid. She asked me to wait at my seat (next to the GA desk) until she called me.
She finished calling the boarding groups, and closed boarding. She addressed a lengthy issue with two travelers trying to make a connect with their international flight. I waited for her to finish, and caught her attention as she was readying to leave the desk – she had forgotten about me. She said I should have been on the departed flight.
She was polite, and apologetic. She rebooked me on the 6:22pm flight. I was given a $20 meal voucher and was emailed a customer care $150 electronic travel voucher.
I volunteer to be bumped often, and the gate agents have always told me to board whenever my seat was not needed.
My question to you Flyertalkers – Given the scenario, was the $150 customer care compensation appropriate? Or should I have received the $500 that was originally offered? Or the $600 I bid?
Your perspectives and advice is much appreciated.
Aug 22, 2019, 9:22 pm
#315
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
The agent's problem is if they give you an unneeded VDB, this will come to the attention of their supervisor. The $150 is a bit light in this situation and I perhaps would have pushed for $250 which is in the agent's discretion range (I believe) -- anything more and the agent has got some explaining to do.
I would write this off as a "learning experience" to stay engaged with the gate agent. At this point to get more, which will be tough, would probably get back on the GA. Your choice.