The definitive guide to US VDB vouchers.
 

Fair warning if you are bumped from a US flight here is what you will get:

1. A cash dollar voucher based upon delay.
2. The voucher is good for ONE US Airways ticket,
3. You can fly on US or US code shares.
4. You have to pay all taxes and fees on the ticket.
5. You have to call in US reservations to book.
6. The ticket books into a non-earning fare class.

Have fun.

#6 is only partially correct. If used as a free ticket, it's booked in a non-earning fare class. If used as a dollar-based option (amount varies, depending on what they are offering at the time of oversale), the fare class is whatever class prices for the new itinerary, you pay the difference (if any) and mileage is accrued. If you want to accrue mileage, definitely choose the dollar-based option...it worked for me.

Plus there are a lot more choices when used as a dollar-amount instead of a free ticket; the inventory controls on those VDB vouchers are pretty rough and you'd have to book weeks in advance if not more to get a seat on a marginally busy route but if used as a dollar-amount you can pretty much pick whatever you want.

I'm sorry, but if I want to get bumped for a voucher, will it come in the form of "Cactus Cash", or "one free flight"?

And if it is "one free flight", when I take that free flight, it won't count toward Preferred?

When do you get Cactus Cash vs. free vouchers?

As far as I know, US is no longer giving out vouchers good for a free RT in the continental U.S., as they used to do. They are now giving out vouchers good for a specific dollar amount based on length of the flight and the amount of time you will be delayed. There is some wiggle room, if they are unable to find volunteers, but I haven't seen any free RT's handed out in some time. If you receive a voucher for a specific amount of value, it'll only earn miles(or count towards preferred status) if you apply the amount towards a higher cost ticket and pay for the difference yourself.

I think this is a good thing. Those "free" trips were booked into the same bucket that the most restrictive award tickets came from. Credit vouchers are just like cash. You could, in theory, book a full F fare ticket and apply the amount on the voucher towards it.

So, just to be absolutely clear, if I book an $80ai ticket with a $100 voucher, then I don't get any miles?

But if I book a $200 ticket with a $100 voucher, then pay the rest with my cc, I get miles for it?

Regional voucher
 

Is it correct that one can get Region 2 voucher when bumping in Central America?

Please clarify.

The dollar off vouchers will earn miles / segments even if the fare is lower then the voucher (And thus you pay nothing). I've done it several times in the past few months.

Good to know, I have been told by (misinformed!) US staff that that was not the case. Called CP desk to verify. Thanks.

I have a questions about the $-off certificates: on the certificate it says its value for one year from date of issue. Does that mean the ticket has to be purchased by one year from when the certificate was issued or does travel have to be complete by that date?

The ticket must be purchased. Travel can be later than a year IIRC.

I just got one of the new $-off-only vouchers for $600.

Will there be a residual value if I, say, purchase one $200 ticket with it?

None at all - It's a use it or lose it thing... As stated by the OP it's good for only ONE ticket as well. I just got back from a trip to Rome using 2 VDB vouchers that me and my partner got from a holiday flight. The miles posted in both of our accounts. I did have to book over the phone and to use 2 vouchers we had to be on separate PNRs.