Is "overbooked" a dirty word?
Many people instantly would answer in the affirmative, and just as quickly wonder why such a stupid question is even posed. Overbooking often causes delays while the attendants sort out who is going to be "bumped" from their chosen, ticketed flight. Big, bad, impersonal airline computers are involved, too. Perfectly good travel plans are scuttled.
But many passengers also understand that overbooking is now a business necessity at certain times can be a beautiful opportunity for free travel.
Why is overbooking a reality?
Operating an airline is expensive, and paying customers are needed to offset the costs and produce profits. Overbooking makes it less likely a plane will leave the gate with empty seats. Programmers try to develop formulas that will overbook just enough to ensure a full aircraft and allow for no-shows. That's a tricky task that no one has fully mastered.
It is profitable to overbook, even at the risk of giving away free tickets and overnight accommodations. A few freebies are preferable to ten or twenty empty seats on that flight from Hong Kong to Los Angeles.
Voluntary Bumping
You're not on your honeymoon. It's not Christmas Eve. Getting to your destination hours or even a day later is no problem. Yes? Read on...
Tom Parsons is a travel expert who once said he got bumped roughly a dozen times a year. He says there are ways to increase the odds of being bumped.
Parsons recommends starting the night before departure with a call to the airline or your travel agent. Ask if the flight is overbooked. A "yes" answer means you should be at the gate 90 minutes before scheduled departure. It's a bit extreme, but it usually guarantees you'll be first in line.
The Department of Transportation requires airlines to ask for volunteers before they deny boarding to anyone. If you want to trade delay for airfare reward, make it clear that you're willing to volunteer.
Click "next" to the right for more about a voluntary "bump."
