5 ms·

The system will never accept more than about 75% of the fare (or, potentially less). This is also a tactic employed by legacy airlines - the newer ones don't pr

by imajes 16y ago

The system will never accept more than about 75% of the fare (or, potentially less). This is also a tactic employed by legacy airlines - the newer ones don't promise a seat, so you get bumped till later, no comp. So you're faced with a flight with 105% passengers, you have to figure out who's not flying. The schmucks who'll take a $50 bump (free drinks at the bar later?) or those who'll hold out for $400? When no-one takes a deal, or there isn't budget, then it becomes involuntary, with minimum comp. That sucks the most. It's like wheel of fortune, except the airline _always_ wins.

nkurz 16y ago
When no-one takes a deal, or there isn't budget, then it becomes involuntary, with minimum comp. I don't believe this is true. At least in the US, the compensation for being involuntarily bumped is usually much better than the voluntary, and as a result it is almost in the airlines' interest to find a volunteer. Also, the involuntary compensation involves cash, whereas the voluntary (on the US airlines I'm familiar with) is a voucher for future travel. I believe these are the current rules: "If the alternate transportation is scheduled to arrive between one and two hours after the original planned arrival (between one and four hours on international flights), the compensation equals 100% of the passenger’s one way fare to his or her next stopover or final destination, with a $200 maximum additional cash compensation . If the airline cannot get a passenger to the destination airport within two hours (four hours on international flights), the compensation rate doubles to 200% of the passenger’s one-way fare, with a $400 maximum additional cash benefit. This compensation is in addition to the value of the passenger’s ticket, which he or she can use for alternate transportation or have refunded if not used. The last time the rule was substantially changed was in 1982, and the last time the maximum additional cash benefit was raised was in 1978. For 2008, the DOT made several changes, the most important was a doubling of the maximum cash compensation to $400 for domestic flights and $800 for international flights." http://www.airsafenews.com/2008/05/revised-bumping-compensation.html http://www.airsafenews.com/2008/05/revised-bumping-compensat... [edited to add the second paragraph, which mentions the 2008 changes, which I somehow failed to get in the first time]
- imajes 16y ago
  That's actually not a good deal; again, this replies to legacy airlines. They don't refund your fare, as it's used to pay for your replacement flight, and most legacy flights are > $200 R/T. That leaves you with $200-$400, which is not a particularly great ROI. (miles, however, are usually MUCH better comp). Note at that point, a delay could easily be "next flight" which may be the following day -- which could incur another hotel night or extra costs for parking, both which kill the comp. Finally, note there is no law that applies for domestic flights. For example, see Delta's actual policy for domestic flights: http://www.delta.com/help/faqs/suspended_travel/index.jsp#handle http://www.delta.com/help/faqs/suspended_travel/index.jsp#ha... -- at best, you get money to spend on delta products.
  - nkurz 16y ago
    Again, I think you are mistaken. This may be partly my fault due to the missed quote above, but I don't think you understand the way bumping works in the US. Perhaps this page will be clearer: http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm#overbooking http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm#overbo... The law definitely applies to domestic flights. It's actually international where it gets trickier. Whether it's a good deal or not depends on your urgency in getting to your destination. I've probably successfully volunteered to be bumped about 6-8 times in my life, and have been satisfied with compensation offered, which usually is equivalent to a voucher for a free round-trip ticket. It has also included an overnight hotel voucher in couple of cases where it was necessary. I've never been bumped involuntarily, likely because there is always a volunteer willing to take some offer the airline will make. The highest I've received (international with the next flight in the morning) was an $800 voucher, presumably because the alternative to the airline was $800 cash. But as always, your mileage may vary.
    - imajes 16y ago
      From the DOT page: DOT has not mandated the form or amount of compensation that airlines offer to volunteers. DOT does, however, require airlines to advise any volunteer whether he or she might be involuntarily bumped and, if that were to occur, the amount of compensation that would be due. Carriers can negotiate with their passengers for mutually acceptable compensation. In other words, it's very much down to how you can negotiate with the airline to derive value. :)
joe_the_user 16y ago
It's like wheel of fortune, except the airline _always_ wins. Wow, I don't know why the parent isn't at 40+ karma. (and you can mod me down for that ... I'll forgive you and I'm over it...)

by imajes 16y ago

nkurz 16y ago

When no-one takes a deal, or there isn't budget, then it becomes involuntary, with minimum comp. I don't believe this is true. At least in the US, the compensation for being involuntarily bumped is usually much better than the voluntary, and as a result it is almost in the airlines' interest to find a volunteer. Also, the involuntary compensation involves cash, whereas the voluntary (on the US airlines I'm familiar with) is a voucher for future travel. I believe these are the current rules: "If the alternate transportation is scheduled to arrive between one and two hours after the original planned arrival (between one and four hours on international flights), the compensation equals 100% of the passenger’s one way fare to his or her next stopover or final destination, with a $200 maximum additional cash compensation . If the airline cannot get a passenger to the destination airport within two hours (four hours on international flights), the compensation rate doubles to 200% of the passenger’s one-way fare, with a $400 maximum additional cash benefit. This compensation is in addition to the value of the passenger’s ticket, which he or she can use for alternate transportation or have refunded if not used. The last time the rule was substantially changed was in 1982, and the last time the maximum additional cash benefit was raised was in 1978. For 2008, the DOT made several changes, the most important was a doubling of the maximum cash compensation to $400 for domestic flights and $800 for international flights." http://www.airsafenews.com/2008/05/revised-bumping-compensation.html http://www.airsafenews.com/2008/05/revised-bumping-compensat... [edited to add the second paragraph, which mentions the 2008 changes, which I somehow failed to get in the first time]

imajes 16y ago
That's actually not a good deal; again, this replies to legacy airlines. They don't refund your fare, as it's used to pay for your replacement flight, and most legacy flights are > $200 R/T. That leaves you with $200-$400, which is not a particularly great ROI. (miles, however, are usually MUCH better comp). Note at that point, a delay could easily be "next flight" which may be the following day -- which could incur another hotel night or extra costs for parking, both which kill the comp. Finally, note there is no law that applies for domestic flights. For example, see Delta's actual policy for domestic flights: http://www.delta.com/help/faqs/suspended_travel/index.jsp#handle http://www.delta.com/help/faqs/suspended_travel/index.jsp#ha... -- at best, you get money to spend on delta products.
- nkurz 16y ago
  Again, I think you are mistaken. This may be partly my fault due to the missed quote above, but I don't think you understand the way bumping works in the US. Perhaps this page will be clearer: http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm#overbooking http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm#overbo... The law definitely applies to domestic flights. It's actually international where it gets trickier. Whether it's a good deal or not depends on your urgency in getting to your destination. I've probably successfully volunteered to be bumped about 6-8 times in my life, and have been satisfied with compensation offered, which usually is equivalent to a voucher for a free round-trip ticket. It has also included an overnight hotel voucher in couple of cases where it was necessary. I've never been bumped involuntarily, likely because there is always a volunteer willing to take some offer the airline will make. The highest I've received (international with the next flight in the morning) was an $800 voucher, presumably because the alternative to the airline was $800 cash. But as always, your mileage may vary.
  - imajes 16y ago
    From the DOT page: DOT has not mandated the form or amount of compensation that airlines offer to volunteers. DOT does, however, require airlines to advise any volunteer whether he or she might be involuntarily bumped and, if that were to occur, the amount of compensation that would be due. Carriers can negotiate with their passengers for mutually acceptable compensation. In other words, it's very much down to how you can negotiate with the airline to derive value. :)

joe_the_user 16y ago

It's like wheel of fortune, except the airline _always_ wins. Wow, I don't know why the parent isn't at 40+ karma. (and you can mod me down for that ... I'll forgive you and I'm over it...)