I should say that I was able to transfer those vouchers to someone else (not in the family) by simply signing them over. I wasn't present when they booked their ticket.

I think this is one of those gray areas where there really isn't a hard and fast rule, and it all depends on the ticketing agent or CSR you draw.

Hi everyone:

Using a travel certificate I received from UA, I will be using them to go from EWR-JAX via IAD (ugh!) next month. I am going on the 18th, so chances are good the airline will need volunteers. I have never done the "bumping" thing before, so I looked up the Bestfares website about this. After looking at the article, I still have a couple of questions:

1. Is it possible to have it noted in the record prior to the day of departure that I am willing to volunteer my seat?

2. If I am actually "bumped" (involuntarily), do I get to keep the affected flight coupon(s) for later use? If so, would there be any penalties when using them in the future?

3. Any other tips/advice in this area?


Thank you in advance for your advice, fellow Fters.

Hi 00 - I was reminded just yesterday that you have been a bad boy, but I'll pass on some advice if you tell us if you are rooting for Gore or for Bradley:

1) You cannot have it noted a day prior. You have to volunteer at the gate where the flight is departing.

2) If you are voluntarily bumped, arrangements will be made for you to travel in an alternate flight and you will be given vouchers. I have never been involuntarily bumped so I do not know what happens in that case, but I presume it would be the same.

3) If they put you on a different airline, then double dip. Fill out a form at United to get FF miles on United, and also get miles on the other carrier.

4) If there is no flight that day ask that they put you up in a hotel and give you a meal allowance. If your next flight is several hours away, ask for a meal voucher.

5) The vouchers you receive are good for a year, but cannot be used within 72 hours of issue. The vouchers can be used in conjunction with coupons, and for maximum mileage book with United Connection on PC to get the online booking bonus (assuming it is still around in 2000).

PG,

Thank you for the information. It will certainly come in handy since I am traveling during President's Weekend to Florida-definitely a peak bumping time.

And as for Gore vs. Bradley, defintiely Gore. I just think he's more electable. Besides, my uncle works directly under him, and would lose his job (it is an appointed political post) if Gore didn't get elected.

Why not come to New Orleans instead and hang out with us?

A couple of points:

Yes, United's first offer is based on the length of your delay (unlike American, which seems generally to start at $300 regardless). Incidentally, that's the length of your delay to your destination, not just at your origination airport. For example, a year ago I bumped off the nonstop EWR-SFO. They re-routed me through Chicago 1� hours later, with $100 credit (standard for up to two hour delay). So I wrote to UAL pointing out that because of the stopover I wouldn't get into SFO until nearly three hours later, and got a very nice letter back confirming that therefore my voucher should have been $200 (and including an additional $100).

In Chicago I bumped twice more ; the last time was a 3�-hour delay for $300 but I was able to stand-by for a flight that ended up leaving just 45 minutes after my (delayed) original flight.

Interestingly, in Hawaii last March I took a bump from the 11:00am flight to the 1:30pm for $200 (per standard compensation schedule). Then the 1:30 flight was oversold, but they were only offering $300...yet it would mean an 8� hour delay onto a red-eye . So perhaps $300 is their maximum first offer domestically? Needless to say, I boarded my flight - I may be a mileage (voucher) whore, but I have my price!

Johna,

In other words, United's first offer is usually their last offer. Is that right?

I'm not sure the max first offer is $300, as I almost bumped off a DEN-ORD flight last week for $400. I just didn't feel like dealing with it as I was connecting to HPN.