How to Get a Free Flight by Getting Bumped

Most airline passengers today view getting bumped as a huge inconvenience. However, getting bumped from a flight can come with some huge perks, namely free future flights. With a little bit of planning and flexibility, you can be generously rewarded by an airline company.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Boarding pass
• Flexibility in travel times

1. Plan your vacation, allowing for flexibility in your arrival and departure.

2. Arrive at the gate at least one hour early. You'll want to be sure to be one of the first to speak to the customer service rep.

3. As soon as a gate attendant arrives at the customer help desk, get up and ask "Is this going to be a full flight today?"

4. If they say "Yes," then offer your name as a potential volunteer to be bumped. At this point you are NOT obligated to accept a later flight. The customer service rep will most likely look relieved and thank you.

5. Be proactive - as it gets closer to the departure time, go up again and ask for a status update.

6. Ask what kind of flight vouchers they offer. It varies from airline to airline and could range from a dollar amount coupon (ex: $200 - $300) to a round trip flight with or without blackout dates.

7. If you will be waiting for a couple of hours until the next flight, ask for food vouchers. Many times airlines won't offer these unless you specifically ask.

8. Know that the customer service reps will be extremely helpful and will not leave you stranded. In fact, they print out your new boarding pass to get to your destination. You do NOT fly standby. It will be a reserved seat. And you will have that additional voucher for a future flight.

9. Realize that it's because of people like you that announcements are rarely made that an airline needs volunteers for getting bumped.

Tips & Warnings

• Book evening flights when possible - airlines become back-logged during the day, which means they shift their customers to later and later flights that day. And evening flights are generally fully booked already.
• Make sure you are the first one up as soon as a customer service rep arrives at the desk. Sometimes they are only overbooked by one or two seats.
• If your bumped flight is for the next day, they will most likely put you up in a hotel for the night. Ask for a hotel voucher.
• If possible, use carry-on luggage only. Checked luggage will go out with the original flight and will sit at the airport until you get there.
• Do not pester the customer service reps. They are under high stress and are more likely to help you if you are friendly.

Resources

• Marilyn Brodeur
• AirTran Policy
• Article on Airline Bumping Stats

[lifeengineer]

on 7/30/2009 Excellent tips. Thanks for the ideas to save on future airline trips.

[art2cee2]

on 7/13/2009 Also...like the article says...no standbys. reserved seats for this flight and for a future flight....

[art2cee2]

on 7/13/2009 Smart tips. My husband works for a major airline and many people do not realize how easily it is for someone to do this. They always...overbook (expecting no shows) and as you say if you offer to take a later flight they will usually give you another flight elsewhere. Flights are running full these days at least with his airline so this is a smart tip. Alas, I cannot take advantage of that since I fly standby with high seniority...but everyone else...listen up ;-)

[pamelasteenhoek]

on 7/12/2009 Postponing to fly can be lucrative. I like it!

[PJWilliams]

on 7/11/2009 Great information. I did not know that you got a reserved seat on the next flight. I thought I'd have to fly standby. 5*s.