What is a bump coupon?

Bump coupons can be either a dollar value voucher to be used on a future flight or a free trip voucher.  They both usually come with certain geographical limits and must be used within a certain time.  A dollar value voucher is like cash that can be applied to any fare (and that ticket earns frequent flyer miles) for any date (within the limit of the voucher).  A free trip voucher can usually only be used when and where frequent flyer seats are available but often doesn't require a Saturday night stay.  Most gate agents will offer a free trip voucher and not mention the restrictions nor the availability of a dollar value voucher instead.  In my opinion, frequent flyer seats are too limited in availability.  If you are given a choice or can negotiate, ask for the dollar value voucher.

When offered a bump coupon, be sure to also ask about: guaranteed seating on the next flight (how about first class?), meal vouchers (if there is a long delay until that flight), phone card to call those meeting you, hotel space if the next flight is the next day and extra frequent flyer miles.  I've seen all of these and more for bump volunteers.  If the airline starts with a dollar offer of $200 and you volunteer but the ante goes up, you will get the highest amount that the airline had to offer to get all of the seats they needed.

Most airlines require that you be at the gate 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure (for domestic trips).  This increase in time (from 15 to 20 minutes) means that your seat and reservation can be cancelled if you are not there by that time.  In that case, the airline does not owe you anything and you are not entitled to a coupon or voucher.

What you need to do.

So you've decided that you want to take a little extra time for your trip and volunteer your seat.  When you get to the airport find the shortest line at the counter or the gate and tell them you want to volunteer your seat.  It's first come, first served.  The airline will put your name on the list.  There is nothing more that you need to do.  You take the risk of giving away your assigned seat and then the airline realizes that it's not needed.  Now have the worst seat on the plane.  That's part of the risk you take but if it happens, you should immediately speak with the gate agent about getting a better seat (how 'bout first class?).

If you do get a bump coupon and want to try it again, immediately go to the gate of your next flight and do it all over again.  I've spoken with many people who have taken numerous 'bumps' on the same trip.  It takes a while to get there but your next trip is paid for.

How to increase your chances.

First a little background.  Airlines intentionally overbook flights because a certain percentage of passengers are no-shows.  Business travelers are more often the no-shows because their schedules change, may have taken an earlier flight, a later flight or had a refundable ticket and simply not taken the trip.  

The software the airlines use called 'Yield Management' does an excellent job of estimating how many seats can be sold for a specific flight above the capacity of the plane.  The goal is to have every seat filled but not have to offer 'denied boarding compensation' (bump coupons) to anyone.  That's a very difficult job and things happen to upset the cart.

Another factor which causes problems is that in the summer time (when the air is warmer & thinner) airplanes do not have the same amount of lift to get off the ground.  When this happens, a plane may not be able to fly with a full load.  This is called 'weight restricted' and they will remove passengers, freight and fuel.  The factors which affect 'weight restriction' include: hot weather (Phoenix in August), high altitude airport (Reno), short runways (Chicago Midway) and underpowered aircraft (Northwest's DC-9 fleet).

You must consider the competition you will face for bump vouchers.  There may be more volunteers than are needed and only the earliest volunteers will get the vouchers.  You will find the least competition for bump coupons if a flight is going to a cruise departure destination (Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, San Juan, Tampa) on a Friday afternoon or evening any time after Labor Day until after Easter.  Also consider Vancouver and Seattle in the summer.  Most of the passengers are going on a cruise and can not afford to miss the boat (literally).  The same argument can be made for travel around any holiday.  Most business travelers are not interested in bump vouchers.  They need to get to their meeting, want to get home to see the family, etc.  If you're on the 8:00 AM flight from Chicago to La Guardia or the 5:00 PM flight from Atlanta to Dallas, you don't have much competition for the bump vouchers. 

If you're an ethical and moral person, this concludes my tip on getting bumped.  Please return to the travel tips page by clicking here.

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to learn more or you're ethically challenged, read on:

It's possible to get free bump vouchers.  No, I'm not kidding.  I know it happens but I've never done it.  My wife does not like me to teach this part of my class so if you ever see her, please don't tell her that I told you how to do it.

Most travelers thinks in terms of non-refundable tickets.  However, business travelers pay many times the price that leisure travelers pay for the ability to get a full refund for a ticket.  Most major airlines charge over $2,000 to fly coast to coast on short notice and these tickets are fully refundable.  If you wish to run-up your credit card and spend a few hours at the airport, you may be able to get free bump vouchers.

All you do is to find a flight which has a high possibility of being over booked due to the above factors in addition to weather delays.  Buy a high priced, fully refundable ticket and volunteer to be bumped.  If your seat is not required, don't get on the plane.  Return to the ticket counter and get a refund on your ticket.  If the airline needs your seat, you will get a bump voucher and be booked on the next flight.  At that point, go to the gate of your next flight and volunteer again.  Don't get on any flight.  At the end of the day, return to the ticket counter and get a refund on your ticket.  Yes, your credit card issuer will process the charges faster than the credit but if you phone them, they may see the airline's credit and you will not have to pay for the 'float' of the ticket.

Is this legal?  From what I can tell, there is nothing against it.  Is it ethical or moral?

Please return to the travel tips page.  Click here.