One Life Stand

The holidays are my favorite time to travel.  No, I’m not a glutton for punishment.  Dealing with long lines, flight delays and novice travelers really aren’t my idea of a good time.  But now is a great time to get bumped.  I’ve gotten many a free flight this way.  If you’re in no particular hurry to get to your destination, it can be well worth your while.  So here are a few tips to improve your chance at getting bumped as well as making it as painless as possible.

• If possible, don’t check any luggage.  You’re more likely to get bumped if they don’t have to pull your luggage from the plane.  This also gives you more options for getting on the next flight out.  For example, when I lived in the Bay Area, I was open to being routed to any of the airports in the area (SFO, OAK and SJC).  This gave me three times as many options.
• If you must check luggage, put the essentials (including toiletries and a change of undies) in your carry-on.  This makes it less of a hassle if you do choose to get bumped.  I once got bumped off the last flight of the day and spent the night in Houston (IAH).  I got a voucher for a free ticket, a night in a hotel and a first class seat on the first flight out the next morning.  It was late at night and nothing was open or near the hotel.  Imagine how UNpleasant that would have been without toiletries and fresh undies.
• Get to the airport early.  Not only will you be less stressed but you can find out when you check in if the flight is full.  If so, you can go ahead and volunteer to bumped.  They generally won’t know if they need you until close to the last minute but this ensures you’re at the top of the list.  There have also been occasions where they didn’t need to bump me but I got a meal voucher and/or upgrade simply for being willing.
• Come prepared and comfortable.  If you have to sit around the airport for hours and perhaps walk from gate to gate, tight jeans and stilettos may not be the best choice.  However, be sure not to let comfortable = looking like a bum.  Whether you like it or not, better dress often equals better treatment.  In addition, you’re more likely to end up in first class if you look like you belong.  I also make sure to have plenty of reading material, laptop, iPod, etc. with me to make the time pass more quickly.
• Know what you’re entitled to and don’t be afraid to ask but also be reasonable.  Getting bumped to a flight that’s an hour later is generally not going to get you a free flight.  There are regulations in place that address the level of compensation that you can expect to receive.  If your delay is two hours or less, you’ll usually get $200 max.  A four hour delay will usually be worth $400.  However, don’t be afraid to ask for meal vouchers that can be used within the airport or an upgrade.  You’re not necessarily entitled to these things but you never know, they might just say yes.
• Last but not least, be polite!  In addition to "getting more flies with honey", it’s just the right thing to do.  It’s not the airline employees’ fault that the airlines overbooked or that there are mechanical or weather problems.  Everyone is already frazzled enough as it is without you adding to the situation.

That said, happy travels this holiday season.