Voluntary Denied Boarding - VDB/Bump Experiences on UA [2019]
Mar 12, 2019, 7:37 am
#46
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GA was very kind and efficient about finding multiple volunteers to give up seats for this full flight. When I checked in 24 hours in advance, I was asked to bid with preset options for same day flight at $300, $500, and $750. I bid $950 for a flight that had one stop in Denver and would arrive in Austin 3 hours later than the original flight.
At the gate, the GA offered $1500 to take a flight the next day (plus hotel and meals). I had to arrive that night for a work obligation in the morning, but at least four people took the next day option.
Weather was great, and this was late in the evening already, so even the flights on other airlines were full.
At the gate, the GA offered $1500 to take a flight the next day (plus hotel and meals). I had to arrive that night for a work obligation in the morning, but at least four people took the next day option.
Weather was great, and this was late in the evening already, so even the flights on other airlines were full.
Nice offer for an issue out of UA's control... seen them offer less and deny boarding to people without raising the offer in the past. Nice to see UA proactively get VDB's.
Mar 12, 2019, 11:01 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 3
Now I'm wondering if I might have a similar opportunity on my 3/14 flight home when I have much more flexibility!
Mar 12, 2019, 12:44 pm
#48
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Mar 13, 2019, 3:21 pm
#49
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When this happened to one of my flights out of IAD, the GA said the offer was $150 or $200 (can't remember) and if they didn't get enough takers, people would be IDB'd according to fare paid. This was a few months pre-Dr. Dao, so while he was bad for people who like to VDB, maybe some good came out of it.
Mar 14, 2019, 5:46 am
#50
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When this happened to one of my flights out of IAD, the GA said the offer was $150 or $200 (can't remember) and if they didn't get enough takers, people would be IDB'd according to fare paid. This was a few months pre-Dr. Dao, so while he was bad for people who like to VDB, maybe some good came out of it.
Mar 15, 2019, 8:11 pm
#51
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NYC, FLL
Programs: UA PP 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy LTTE, BA Gold
Posts: 6,303
15 Mar
EWR-LAX
2 oversold. $1000 and direct to Orange County, CA instead. 2 took it.
(787-10, Polaris - beautiful!)
EWR-LAX
2 oversold. $1000 and direct to Orange County, CA instead. 2 took it.
(787-10, Polaris - beautiful!)
Mar 15, 2019, 10:08 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 229
ok so if i am a explorer cardholder of mileage plus and purchase ual's basic super dooper basic economy and they need volunteers, am i outta luck? i'd gladly give up my reservation for a couple of benjamins to arrive 2 or 3 hours later....or are those who are both ual mp card holders and flying basic economy given 'face value vouchers' if they vdb!?
Mar 15, 2019, 10:26 pm
#53
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 546
In DSM this morning, all three ~6AM departures (ORD, DEN, IAH) were oversold. ORD got up to $9000, DEN hit $5000, and I didn't stick around long enough for IAH to close. The passenger who took $5000 accepted DSM-DTW-YYZ-SJD a day later (with overnight in YYZ, hotel paid by UA) instead of staying with his family for DSM-DEN-SJD. But hey, it's $5000!
Unfortunately, I know all of this because I was the one running from gate to gate trying to clear onto these flights off of the standby (originally flying via DEN in the afternoon). I drove to ORD for a nonstop instead.
Interesting process note: the agents didn't start boarding until they had enough volunteers (with alternate routing confirmed) to cover the oversale. I didn't know it worked that way, but it makes sense for the "We'll never kick you out of your seat once you're on" policy.
Unfortunately, I know all of this because I was the one running from gate to gate trying to clear onto these flights off of the standby (originally flying via DEN in the afternoon). I drove to ORD for a nonstop instead.
Interesting process note: the agents didn't start boarding until they had enough volunteers (with alternate routing confirmed) to cover the oversale. I didn't know it worked that way, but it makes sense for the "We'll never kick you out of your seat once you're on" policy.
Mar 15, 2019, 10:31 pm
#54
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Houston/DC
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ok so if i am a explorer cardholder of mileage plus and purchase ual's basic super dooper basic economy and they need volunteers, am i outta luck? i'd gladly give up my reservation for a couple of benjamins to arrive 2 or 3 hours later....or are those who are both ual mp card holders and flying basic economy given 'face value vouchers' if they vdb!?
In DSM this morning, all three ~6AM departures (ORD, DEN, IAH) were oversold. ORD got up to $9000, DEN hit $5000, and I didn't stick around long enough for IAH to close. The passenger who took $5000 accepted DSM-DTW-YYZ-SJD a day later (with overnight in YYZ, hotel paid by UA) instead of staying with his family for DSM-DEN-SJD. But hey, it's $5000!
Unfortunately, I know all of this because I was the one running from gate to gate trying to clear onto these flights off of the standby (originally flying via DEN in the afternoon). I drove to ORD for a nonstop instead.
Interesting process note: the agents didn't start boarding until they had enough volunteers (with alternate routing confirmed) to cover the oversale. I didn't know it worked that way, but it makes sense for the "We'll never kick you out of your seat once you're on" policy.
Unfortunately, I know all of this because I was the one running from gate to gate trying to clear onto these flights off of the standby (originally flying via DEN in the afternoon). I drove to ORD for a nonstop instead.
Interesting process note: the agents didn't start boarding until they had enough volunteers (with alternate routing confirmed) to cover the oversale. I didn't know it worked that way, but it makes sense for the "We'll never kick you out of your seat once you're on" policy.
Mar 15, 2019, 10:33 pm
#55
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ok so if i am a explorer cardholder of mileage plus and purchase ual's basic super dooper basic economy and they need volunteers, am i outta luck? i'd gladly give up my reservation for a couple of benjamins to arrive 2 or 3 hours later....or are those who are both ual mp card holders and flying basic economy given 'face value vouchers' if they vdb!?
Mar 16, 2019, 1:05 am
#56
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Mar 16, 2019, 8:30 am
#57
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Mar 16, 2019, 8:38 am
#58
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That was my first thought, too. But then I realized the OP put it in parenthesis. I believe OP was booked on the LAX flight and didn't take the bump so they flew the regularly scheduled 787-10 EWR-LAX while two others took the bump to the 737-700 (73G) EWR-SNA.
-RM
-RM
Mar 16, 2019, 10:08 am
#60
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UA234 SFO-MCO over by 4 today. Offer went to $2000 to get all 4. My colleague was one of them. Protection was thru IAD arriving at midnight. 8 hours late for $2000 is $250/hr.... not bad.