God Save the Points
Gilbert Ott.
- If you're not in a major rush, getting bumped off a flight can work to your advantage.
- There are a few 'best practices' to keep in mind which make you the ideal volunteer for catching the next flight, according to God Save the Points blogger Gilbert Ott.
- Getting bumped off a flight can earn you thousands in travel credit.
Sometimes, like over the Christmas holidays, your flight taking off and landing on time can be the determining factor in whether you make it to important events.
However, when you're about to embark on a holiday or are on your return journey with little to look forward to, you might have a more easygoing attitude towards arriving a bit late - and accepting money, travel credit, and a flight upgrade can seem like a pretty good deal in return for taking a later flight.
According to Gilbert Ott of God Save the Points, blogger and expert at finding cheap flights and scoring first class trips using air miles, taking advantage of an overbooked flight can be "far more lucrative than any loyalty program on earth" and can earn you thousands a year in travel credit "just for being 'cool' about flexibility."
In a blog post on God Save the Points, Ott said there are a few "best practices" to keep in mind which should "put you first in line to catch the next flight, in the likely event that yours is oversold."
Be smart with your flight date and time
"Step one is focusing on routes and flights where important business travel is a major factor," Ott writes. "Weekends are for leisure travelers, it's the weekdays where you'll find the least flexible travelers, when airlines need to accommodate them the most.
He added: "Holidays are good too. Pick early morning flights, or second to last, last flight of the day situations where people have the greatest need."
Make use of apps
The same trick that can get you an entire row to yourself on a flight can also be useful when predicting an overbooked flight.
The ExpertFlyer app allows you to check the inventory (seats left) for "virtually any flight" for $9.99 a month, according to Ott.
"This means you can see precisely how many seats are left on your flight, the next flight and every other flight," he said. "They also show upgrade options too. For someone really looking to cash in, this $9.99 can net $1000s in bump vouchers, helping to find the most prone flights. This is especially true if you study flights for a couple weeks, seeing which ones typically always sell out each week."
Travel with just a carry-on...
PixieMe/Shutterstock
"For optimal probability of being the lucky 'we need a volunteer' person, being without bags is a deal breaker," Ott said. "It's both time consuming and hard to offload a passenger with luggage, whereas someone with carry on only is an easy breeze. Whenever possible, travel without bags if you want the bump. And get a good carry on to make this feat easier."
...And travel alone when you can
"Now - this isn't to say groups don't get bumped. But often only one or two volunteers are needed," Ott said, "Being solo on a reservation instantly prioritizes you over most of the pack of would be 'bumpertunists.' It's been said that being last to check in can help the chances, but don't go overboard here."
Ask to get on "the list"
"Many airlines run a list of potential volunteers, should someone need to be bumped. Save the negotiations for game time, but be sure to get on the list - and get in early," Ott said. "Don't be afraid to ask at check-in if 'any volunteers may be needed' and if the reply is 'yes,' be sure to volunteer your services."
Know your value
If you've got places to go, getting bumped has to be worth your while, but if you're not in a rush, you might be willing to accept a little less.
According to Ott, the minimum voucher amount is generally in the $300-$400 range, "but it's not at all uncommon for vouchers to exceed $1,000, even for shorter flights."
"You still get a ride on the next available flight, but you'll score significant credit towards future flights," he said. "One family successfully scored $11,000 in credit - and still made it to their destination on time.
"Turning a $150 ticket into $11,000 of travel, easily enough for multiple business class tickets, virtually anywhere in the world is hard to argue with."
And, often you'll be put on the next flight, so you won't even have long to wait.
"Sometimes they'll even throw in an upgrade, just for being an all around agreeable and easy human being," Ott said. "You don't know joy until you get a big fat voucher, and still make it to your destination within hours of the original time!"
There are no guarantees - but it does happen
Still, Ott stresses that there are no guarantees when working the overbooked-flight system.
"Even the best practices may fail, so it's really not worth over paying (at least not any significant amount), just to attempt the bump," he writes.
However, he added: "This really is a thing. Airlines oversell flights for a variety of reasons, entirely in their control.
"If you have flexibility and a desire to earn free travel - there's nothing wrong with playing the game. Free vacations are the best vacations, especially when the Champagne arrives - and you're laying flat in a business or first class bed!"