Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump Experiences on UA [2019]
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,422
I'm not sure if it's rare or not. I doubt most agents will check the actual load if they see inventory available when doing a VDB. The only time I've seen agents worry about load is when re-accommodating on another airline (they'll call to verify space) or during IRROPS.
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
-RM
#94
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,336
Of course you can. But @sexykitten7's point is that you can't VDB while on the standby list. And you're only going to clear the standby list after all passengers are loaded and if empty seats remain (assuming an oversold flight). If the flight isn't oversold then you'll clear at the 30 minute mark and no additional (or any) volunteers needed.
-RM
-RM
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Floating around
Programs: UA 1K (1MM), DL Gold (1MM), Marriott LTT
Posts: 10,346
Actually that's not what I meant. Perhaps I should have been clearer. You cannot take the bump and say just list me on standby for the next/last flight out, I'll risk it. You need to be confirmed on a different itinerary where all legs have space, not just the first one for example.
-RM
#96
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Right, but once you're confirmed, you can standby for those flights where you'll "risk it". That is, if you VDB on the 6PM and they confirm you on the 9PM, you can standby on the 7PM and 8PM.
#97
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: PWM
Programs: AA Plat
Posts: 1,336
In that case yes. But hypothetically (and in my case) if you were on the penultimate flight out and the last flight was also oversold, I don't think you would be able to rebook for the following day and SBY for the last flight, as SBY applies only to same (calendar) day flights. But I could be mistaken. Presumably the GA could force you on the list even if against protocol. Has anyone tried this?
#98
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Penultimate is a fabulous word, and should be used more often.
I have not had that exact experience, but did have one (involving a cancellation, not a VDB) with an airport change and I was not allowed to do it. I could neither standby at the old airport (since I was now confirmed out of the new airport) nor the new airport (since my flight was tomorrow). Once it was tomorrow, I was able to standby (and in fact cleared).
I have not had that exact experience, but did have one (involving a cancellation, not a VDB) with an airport change and I was not allowed to do it. I could neither standby at the old airport (since I was now confirmed out of the new airport) nor the new airport (since my flight was tomorrow). Once it was tomorrow, I was able to standby (and in fact cleared).
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,422
In that case yes. But hypothetically (and in my case) if you were on the penultimate flight out and the last flight was also oversold, I don't think you would be able to rebook for the following day and SBY for the last flight, as SBY applies only to same (calendar) day flights. But I could be mistaken. Presumably the GA could force you on the list even if against protocol. Has anyone tried this?
#102
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: The Internets
Posts: 8,266
EWR-YQB 3/29 $5,000. Five thousand dollars.
#103
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Platinum, Starbucks Gold, PF Chang's Warrior, Wine Century 100
Posts: 1,107
CLE-MCO 3/23. They needed 1 volunteer, I was called to the podium and offered $2000 travel voucher. Spring break plane full of families with small children going to Disney, and none of them were jumping at the initial $1000 offer. Had to decline since I needed to be at work that afternoon...
#104
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: SFO
Posts: 181
Spring break should come more often.
#105
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
My sense is that *IF* the GA follows protocol, low bid gets first dibs. But if more than one volunteer is needed, everyone get the amount of the final acceptance. I recently bid low at $400 (options were $400/$500/$600), and was selected; then it turned out two seats were needed. Nobody volunteered until the offer hit $2000, so I also got $2000. Plus a $10 meal voucher (which basically gets you fries at SFO)
Spring break should come more often.
Spring break should come more often.