There have been discussions of things like the difference between "direct" and "non-stop" flights. I hadn't been clear on how airlines use the terms "overbooked" and "oversold," and now I have an explanation from an airline representative.

Overbooked: more reservations have been made than the capacity of the plane. The airline forecasts a certain number of no-shows, based on past experience. If the forecast is correct, no problem.

Oversold: more people have shown up to board the flight than the capacity of the plane, and the airline needs to ask for volunteers to bump, or bump people involuntarily.

Kind of silly in a way...they would not be oversold if they had not overbooked

But when they do, if you are flexible, you can do well! We took a bump on the last leg of our flight home from Italy. We had spent the night in NY, so were'nt worn out from travel. Each got $400 voucher from Continental (which I fly all the time, so will easily be able to use), plus meals. Got home that night instead of early afternoon. Spent the day in Pres Club (b/c I'm a member...they don't offer passes if you get bumped). Basically vegged out...caught up on emails, had a pedicure, played cards, etc. and now have enough for another trip somewhere fun. Doesn't work if you are on a tight schedule (which I usually am).

Secret to NOT getting bumped...make sure you have a seat assignment, and be AT THE GATE on time. If the website won't let me book a seat, I won't buy the ticket...means they are already overbooked.

Anne

quote:

If the website won't let me book a seat, I won't buy the ticket...means they are already overbooked.

Not necessarily. They hold back assigning some prime seats in case later-booking, higher-paying passengers want them; also some are held for gate assignment so that families with young children or a passenger with a leg cast can be accommodated.
If you book the flight but can't get a seat assignment at the same time, try again later. And be sure to use Web check-in 24 hours before the fight.

quote:

But when they do, if you are flexible, you can do well!

Yes, I have a colleague who spent 1 week like that to get from Halifax to Montreal. As she accepted delays and points and then flights were cancelled, she then was sent to another airport and so on for 1 week. What a vacation! Someone could end up living for free for ever as the companies in addition of points offered and payed all her hotels and meals.

I'm still kicking myself that we didn't take the offer in 2006, to be bumped from our flight to Rome and go the following day, AND each be given 700 euros!!!
From Air Canada!!!!

We took a bump on a flight to Cancun and we got two vouchers. We got to Cancun a few hours late but that was OK. Then we used the vouchers to fly to Puerto Rico and we thought we were going to take a voluntary bump again. But at the last minute they put us on the plane but the only seats were in first class. Pity. So we flew on free tickets in first class. That was nice.

On my first flight ever to Italy, I was so excited and arrived at the airport 3.5 hours prior to my departure time. When the flight was determined oversold, I took the free round trip flight anywhere offer and ended up arriving in Venice just 2 hours later than my original itinerary. A few months later I flew again to Italy for free. I was soooo happy!

After 25+ trips, it hasn't happened again since my first flight. But I am always hopeful and always arrive early for my departure flight.

This past August, on our return flight from Paris to SFO, we changed planes at IAD. The IAD-SFO flight was oversold so we (my family of four) offered to be bumped. As it turned out, my husband and two kids got to fly first class through Denver to SFO. Unfortunately I had to stay on the original flight, so flew economy plus to SFO and then had to wait three hours for their flight to come in! I was bummed but the agent gave us four RT anywhere in the continental US, and my family was thrilled with the first class treatment. When, oh when, will my turn to fly first class arrive?

Years ago a friend's husband accepted a later flight to Orlando for his entire family (himself, wife and three kids) in exchange for free round trips for another trip to Orlando in the future. In the end it all worked out, they spent six hours hanging around Newark airport and got to Disney late that night, but were able to return a year later with free airfare.

However, my friend spent the entire six hours at the airport considering divorce as she tried to calm down and entertain her kids (ages 5, 8 and 10 at the time).