The whole United fiasco has really opened the general public’s eyes to the ways airlines overbook. I know many people think United didn’t overbook and it was an operational issue but call it what you want—either way there weren’t enough seats for the paying passengers so in my eyes they overbooked.
My last two tips were well received and shared hundreds of times on social media:
To dig a little deeper and to shed light on the situation for those who aren’t familiar with the ways that passengers can benefit from the airlines overbooking, I’ve created this step-by-step guide on how to get bumped.
According to data from the Department of Transportation, 46,000 travelers were involuntarily bumped from flights in 2015. On the flip side, there were 505,000 voluntarily bumped. That’s a huge difference. The reason why is that many travelers don’t mind volunteering their seats to wait for the next flight out. In fact, some people will even book flights just so they can get bumped to earn extra cash for travel.
As we all know, the airlines have cut capacity, which means that most flights are operating with a full house. This increases the chances of getting bumped, especially on peak travel days like Monday, Friday, Sunday, and around the holidays.
Here’s how to get bumped:
1. Check flight loads
Most airlines will allow you to see your flight’s seating chart (go into your reservation online and click the “change/view seats” link). But it’s best to try booking a ticket (don’t purchase) on your particular flight. If they aren’t selling seats then they are full or oversold. You can also call the airline directly and ask the operator if the flight is oversold. Here’s a handy list of all the airline websites and their toll-free numbers.
2. Volunteer to get bumped
Airline reps love it when passengers volunteer to get bumped. When I’m playing the bumping game, I will usually check-in with an agent at the ticket desk to let them know. Then I will go to the gate and wait for an agent to arrive—usually an hour before departure. I then ask politely if they are oversold and if they need volunteers. If so, I ask to be included on the list. NOTE: Most of the time, agents won’t know if they need volunteers until midway through boarding so they will put you on a list and hold your boarding pass. Tip: Don’t keep bugging the agent…it will only tick them off and decrease your chances of getting the good stuff.
3. Wait close to the gate
Sometimes agents come to the gate late and just get on the PA and announce they are looking for volunteers. That is why you should be standing close to the desk so you can be one of the first people to jump in line if they ask.
4. Be sure to get on another flight
Before accepting a bump, first find out how much they are offering; domestically it’s usually around $400 and internationally it can be up to $1,350. Then find out when the next flight they can get you on is. If it’s an overnight bump, the airline should provide you with a hotel, transportation, meal vouchers and sometimes even a calling card, though not always.
5. Get a cash voucher not a flight
This is very important. Do not accept a roundtrip flight because they come with heavy restrictions and blackout dates. Plus, you won’t get frequent flier credit for your flight(s). Instead, ask for a cash voucher that’s usually valid for one year from the date of issue for that airline. Note: Some airlines (Ahem, Delta) will even offer you gift cards to stores like Amazon.com.
Good to know: If the airline involuntarily bumps you (meaning you didn’t volunteer to get bumped), be sure to ask for cash, not a voucher. This happened to my sister and her family when they were traveling from Miami to Barbados because they were the last to check in and they each received $1,350.
6. Be nice
It’s very important to be genuinely nice to the agent. I always try to make friends with them and will even bring them chocolates since most passengers treat them terribly.
7. Ask for a lounge pass, upgrade, hotel, and food
If the agent is struggling to find volunteers, the money usually goes up and so do the perks. I normally won’t change my plans for anything less than $500, even if it’s a short bump. But I will always see if they can bump me into first class on the next flight or give me a premium economy seat. Before I had credit cards that got me into the lounges, I would ask for a lounge pass as well. If you don’t have one, ask for lounge access and a meal voucher (usually $10-$15).
8. Do it all over again on the next flight
During busy periods, you can get bumped multiple times the same day or over a week. It’s a great way to get some serious money towards flights. Tip: When you get bumped, take a photo of the voucher and email it to yourself so you don’t lose it. Also, set reminders as to when they expire so you don’t lose out on your hard earned bump.
9. Don’t check luggage
You will have a much greater chance of getting bumped if you don’t have checked luggage since it’s a pain and very time consuming for the airlines to find your bag in the cargo hold.
Good to know: If you choose to volunteer and they don’t need you (they let you know at the last minute), you may lose your overhead luggage space and sometimes agents could give away your seat and you might get stuck with a middle. Ouch!
Please let me know if you agree or disagree with these tips or if you think I missed anything.
Happy travels!
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I used to have a job that required travel almost 100% of the time. I had so many free tickets worth of “miles”. 15 years ago, it used to be easier to get bumped into first class, and my status often got me there. I also allowed myself to be bumped a number of times since I usually flew Sun, Mon, and Fri. I found the airlines to be a bit cheap offering a $250 or $300 voucher…One time I got lucky and got a $750 voucher. I used that voucher for a free flight to Germany, and another flight to Vermont for my New England road trip. Now I don’t take the bumps as much because I don’t think they are offering enough money and I’m usually tired and wanting to go home, and I’m older with a family. But it was fun to do in my early 20’s.
An agent told me one of the best times to get bumped is Mother’s Day weekend. What are a half dozen other good times? Thanks.
.I really enjoy your articles. Just curious about one comment in the article about getting bumped on a flight. Do you have a list of which airlines only offer flight vouchers not cash vouchers?
Which are the airlines that only offer flight vouchers?
Headed to Hawaii soon from San Antonio via Seattle. I think I am more excited about possibly being bumped!! I have always been the first to jump up and volunteer. Hoping my backpack and I get another win on this trip!!
Just volunteered for a bump on SW airlines in PHX on MLK day this year. Last flight of the day so we had to take the first flight out, but we got a hotel voucher, as well as $400 travel voucher each. Not too bad as our original tickets only cost $200 round trip. I wanted to mention that we had checked luggage, and they didn’t blink an eye. They just told us it would be waiting for us in Portland. They did NOT pull it off the plane. I don’t think they have to for security, because no one knows when or who will get bumped. (except for clever people like you who deliberately choose flights with high bump potential. :)
Good to know
how can I get vouchers, cash or flight, whatever it is, I am a frequent flyer and I need to buy vouchers..
Please Suggest
Thanks
We were in Florida and they asked at the gate (flying back to Chicago on United) for people looking to volunteer for 700$ each (there was 3 of us) we went to the counter and she said we will let you know If we need three like 20 minutes later she says we are able to and gives us each a voucher but then came the surprise she said that we where booked to go through Houston then Chicago first class on a flight two days from are original departure. The only bad thing was the first flight was at 5:00 am that morning when we wake up we see a text that says our Houston to Chicago flight is cancelled and we ended up standing by for a non stop to Chicago from Orlando instead of flying to Houston than standing by there. We got on but in the last row I am still mad at United to this day.
I just got bumped from delta at JFK- $1300, a flight 5 hrs later from LGA, and I’m a happy flyer. In all, 5 of us volunteered, and even though the others volunteered at lower prices, because I arrived at the gate late and took the last spot everyone got my price, $1300. I chose American express gift card to redeem my voucher!
So I am not sure if I am getting this correctly. Do I need to purchase a ticket for this? and is a volunteer the person who is willing to give up his seat in order for the airline to accommodate someone else on the waiting list? so when I am accepted as a volunteer, will the airline refund me the full ticket price + the voucher?
For brand spanking new consumers, this can be especially true because they don’t have any prescription whatsoever.
For example, if one can be a normal headache or migraine victim, then sit
can be a popular foe – actually helping to trigger the beginning of a headache.
Also — is it advisable to check in now? Or later?
Depends on the airline. Delta will offer you to volunteer online at check-in
When I checked in last night the bids they would accept were $200-400. I got to the airport in time for an earlier flight hoping for a reverse bump. Delta is too stupid to do that. Turned out that flight was oversold and they offered $800 for a volunteer at the gate. When I got to my gate I went straight to the gate agent and told her I knew they were oversold and would volunteer to be bumped for $800. She took my name said somebody else might bid lower. In the end I got the one bump and 5 hours later I’m headed home. Not bad earnings per hour. Don’t wait for the announcement.