BA Ruined our holiday

[athurstance]

Its not just a problem with BA - all airlines overbook. When we flew back from Orlando last April we were quite early for checking - 11.30 in the morning for a 8.20 flight. We got the last 4 seats on the plane - the family after us were bounced off. We were asked if we were interested in going the next day but we need to get home but the family behind us had absolutely no choice at all.
They weren't very happy about it (naturally) but they were told there were simply no seats left as everyone else had already checked in. And there's nothing you can do about it either - the small print on your ticket allows them to do it.
On the other hand I've got friends (a family of 5) who always ask if they need anyone to bounce off as they are happy to volunteer - they have done very well out of it too. You tend to get more compensation if you are cooperative and negotiate apparently.

[Carla]

Angela, every time we fly we always offer to be "bumped". Nearly happened once with United, and they gave us US$200 just for offering, as we were then the very last ones to board the plane!!

I obviously don't pick the busiest times to go, but I'm working on it!! Next trip is in and out of Tampa on 28 Feb with BA, and since it's a Saturday night (both directions) I am hopeful that we might actually get bumped this time!!! We will offer and see what happens.

[SG]

Carla

At what stage do you offer to be bumped, is at check in or boarding gate?

Thanks

Shirley

[steph_goodrum]

We always ask as well, we ask when we checkin because obvioulsy once you have checked your luggage etc it's more hassle to get your luggage etc. On our first flight with Virgin, when we got to Orlando we were asked if we'd get the flight to Miami and get the flight from there to Gatwick, which meant that instead of having 3 hrs at Orlando we got straight onto the Miami flight and arrived home in Gatwick an hour before our original flight would have done. They gave us a voucher for a free flight or if we had been memebers of their Freeway club (which we are now but weren't then) we could have had 40,000 miles.
We're hoping that is still the case and that we can get bumped a couple of more times and get the miles and then when Virgin start flying to Sydney later in teh year maybe get a free trip.
Don't know if it makes a difference as well but 3 out of 4 times on our last trips to Orlando we have been upgraded either on the way out or home.

[Carla]

Always at check in Shirley, and we make it known that even up to the last minute we are quite prepared to be off-loaded. We have often been first on the "bump" list, only to find that there is no need to bump anyone in the end!!!!

It would be wonderful to be bumped for 28 Feb because we have guests in our home that night and can't have our villa until 4pm on 29th so will have to find a hotel anyway!!!!

Here's hoping.

[SG]

Carla

Will keep my fingers and toes crossed that you get bumped on the 28th February

Shirley

[Carla]

Thanks Shirley - on my past experiences, I need all the help that I can get.

[Andy & Arlene]

Carla, if you do get bumped off a flight, as well as the free flights, vouchers etc, do they also give you a local hotel and meal vouchers for the night. As by that point you would have returned the hire car etc.

[Carla]

Yes they do Arlene.