How To Get Bumped For Airline Vouchers

I used to this a lot when I was in college - getting bumped off of flights on purpose (http://www.pfadvice.com/2007/01/02/the-art-of-getting-bumped-off-a-flight/) to get the free airline vouchers. It's a great way to earn future trips if you have a flexible schedule when you are traveling. It takes a bit of time to learn which flights are always overbooked (a travel agent can be a great help here), but it can pay well for spending a day in the airport.

Make sure you pack some snacks. I flew American Airlines this weekend and they no longer provide peanuts or pretzels. In fact, you had to pay $3 for a cookie or some chips!

At that rate, I was suprised they even offered drinks. A flight attendant with old-fashioned seltzer bottle (ala the Marx Brothers), spraying passengers was more like it.

good for college students with limited budget but really not worth it for the rest

I don't know. I've spent about $1500 on airline tickets so far this year for myself and my family. I could think of about a hundred better places to put that money if I had free vouchers and extra vacation time.

Active timeshare owners' highest year-over-year cost is airline tickets (depending on the cost of the original timeshare + fees).

Great advice - booking overbooked flights is the key!

There's also some tips on free bussiness class flight (http://www.bigtravelweb.com/blag_bussiness_flights.htm) upgrades of a similar nature!

i am always traveling on a tight schedule when I get these offers. So I have never done it.

If it happens then its worth it but I dont agree with the threadstarter. It sounds like he bases his reservations on which flight has the best chances for getting him bumped.

the other thing is. I love to visit places but I hate being in the airport and eating airport food and getting the probe from TSA and waiting

When you get bumped that means you have to go through the whole airport hustle again

I agree with Dingo, I can think of better things to spend my money on than plane tickets. Worth a little hassle for me.

i am always traveling on a tight schedule when I get these offers. So I have never done it.
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When you get bumped that means you have to go through the whole airport hustle again

I don't volunteer for the same reason you don't- I just want to get where I'm going. I do know people who will volunteer to be bumped coming home from a business trip but I'd rather just get home. (And I'm glad there are other people happy to volunteer!)

A comment on airport misery- airport lounges are your friends. I have access to American's lounges on international trips, and use PriorityPass (http://www.prioritypass.com) the rest of the time. PriorityPass runs about $250 for 10 lounge visits and has a huge selection available, including all of Delta's clubs. If I'm delayed a couple of hours but if I can sit in a comfortable chair, plug into the Web and have a glass or 2 of wine, I deal with it much better. My employer doesn't pay for the PriorityPass membership but if you travel a lot, it's well worth it.

I am agree with kthor12. doesn't mean of this information.