Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump Experiences on UA [2019]
Oct 30, 2019, 9:38 pm
#331
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York / Hawaii
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Nov 4, 2019, 2:43 pm
#332
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 403
Any Strategy for VDB when Flight is Fully Sold Out (no longer for sale by UA)?
Flying first leg CHO - IAD on Wednesday. Flight is no longer for sale at ua.com. Seat map full.
Any strategy for VDB?
Any strategy for VDB?
Last edited by shdflyer; Nov 4, 2019 at 5:49 pm
Nov 4, 2019, 2:49 pm
#333
Moderator: United Airlines
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IDB is exceptionally rare (less than 100 annually for UA, out of 150 million passenger)
You might have a chance for a VDB, but there is no strategy for IDB - it is an unicorn event.
And most sold out flights end up taking standbys.
Nov 4, 2019, 4:50 pm
#334
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
Research alternative flights to your destination. Volunteer on the app and/or kiosk. Get to the gate an hour prior to departure. Ask the gate agent if they're oversold, and if so, if they need volunteers; if the agent says they're oversold but have enough volunteers, say, "oh, I volunteered online/at the kiosk; does that count?"
Then, prepare to board your original flight, because, sad to say, VDB is getting to be very rare as they continue to cut down on the number of oversales they allow. (Although, there are actually two zeroed-out CHO-IAD flights on Wednesday, so maybe they do have a load issue)
Then, prepare to board your original flight, because, sad to say, VDB is getting to be very rare as they continue to cut down on the number of oversales they allow. (Although, there are actually two zeroed-out CHO-IAD flights on Wednesday, so maybe they do have a load issue)
Nov 7, 2019, 12:57 pm
#335
Join Date: Nov 2007
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta Gold
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Interesting questions regarding VDB. I hope someone can advise.
I purchased a fully refundable fare for a domestic flight later this evening because due to various factors that are quite complicated I will not know until the last minute if I need to fly or not. When I checked in for the flight VDB offer popped up so I selected the voucher option and which subsequent flight I'm willing to fly on. In the event they accept my offer for VDB, then I have the following 2 questions:
1) Does the ticket on the new flight remain fully refundable (i.e. same fare rules as my current one)?
2) In the event that I do not end up having to fly and cancel my ticket, do I still get to keep the voucher I received for VDB?
I purchased a fully refundable fare for a domestic flight later this evening because due to various factors that are quite complicated I will not know until the last minute if I need to fly or not. When I checked in for the flight VDB offer popped up so I selected the voucher option and which subsequent flight I'm willing to fly on. In the event they accept my offer for VDB, then I have the following 2 questions:
1) Does the ticket on the new flight remain fully refundable (i.e. same fare rules as my current one)?
2) In the event that I do not end up having to fly and cancel my ticket, do I still get to keep the voucher I received for VDB?
Nov 7, 2019, 1:07 pm
#336
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,417
However, the fact that they're soliciting volunteers doesn't mean that they will actually end up needing any. VDBs have gotten increasingly rare.
Nov 7, 2019, 1:46 pm
#337
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Nov 14, 2019, 9:13 am
#338
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 131
I'm flying SFO-IAH-SYD in J. A United agent called me at T-36 and states the flight was overbooked in J. She asked if I was willing to change to the direct SFO-SYD flight in exchange for a $500 voucher. I declined since I will be joining a family member who is departing from IAH.
Nov 14, 2019, 12:28 pm
#339
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I'm flying SFO-IAH-SYD in J. A United agent called me at T-36 and states the flight was overbooked in J. She asked if I was willing to change to the direct SFO-SYD flight in exchange for a $500 voucher. I declined since I will be joining a family member who is departing from IAH.
Nov 14, 2019, 12:44 pm
#340
Original Poster
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I'm flying SFO-IAH-SYD in J. A United agent called me at T-36 and states the flight was overbooked in J. She asked if I was willing to change to the direct SFO-SYD flight in exchange for a $500 voucher. I declined since I will be joining a family member who is departing from IAH.
Many times, these proactive approaches by UA mean they are in a sticky situation.
Nov 14, 2019, 1:35 pm
#341
Join Date: Feb 2016
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I'm flying SFO-IAH-SYD in J. A United agent called me at T-36 and states the flight was overbooked in J. She asked if I was willing to change to the direct SFO-SYD flight in exchange for a $500 voucher. I declined since I will be joining a family member who is departing from IAH.
Nov 14, 2019, 4:56 pm
#342
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 131
Just curious... was it the SFO-IAH that was oversold, or the IAH-SYD that was oversold? Not sure if they mentioned that to you, but if the int'l leg was overbooked, they likely would be asking for a lot more than $500 at the gate.
Many times, these proactive approaches by UA mean they are in a sticky situation.
Many times, these proactive approaches by UA mean they are in a sticky situation.
Nov 14, 2019, 10:15 pm
#343
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: United 1K
Posts: 131
I was able to view the comments the agent left on my PNR:
I've redacted what appears to be the employee ID.
Does anyone know what is meant by DCMT or FFC?
Code:
PSGR DECLINED DCMT FLT 101 IAHSYD/##### 01 REMARKS ADDED BY FFC SU 6P 14NOV 1558Z #####
I've redacted what appears to be the employee ID.
Does anyone know what is meant by DCMT or FFC?
Nov 15, 2019, 8:10 am
#344
Join Date: Apr 2009
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I can’t answer your question regarding the acronyms without guessing. However, I’m so much curious on how you were able to view the notes in your PNR. That’s something new to me. Thanks and enjoy your travels
Nov 15, 2019, 8:27 am
#345
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
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