Incentives to change flights
Reading this question I found out how changes in seat capacity are handled, which made me quite curious what kind of incentives are typically offered to people who volunteer to take a different flight.
Best Answer
In the US, I've experienced all the following cases:
- Upon check-in, an automated offer to change the flight. The offer might include $$ towards future travel and/or bonus miles.
- At the gate, offers of $$ certificates towards future travel. The amounts will increase sometimes as departure time nears.
- On the plane, a request for volunteers with the $$ certificates.
Sometimes they restrict volunteers to people who are not making a connection later.
Upgrading you on a later flight used to be more common but I think occurs less frequently now, as more people use miles or status to upgrade. That is, the seats just aren't available.
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How can I change my flight without paying extra?
6 ways to avoid paying an airline's ticket change feeCan you change flights for free?
Some airlines allow you to change your flight within 24 hours of booking for free. How should you change your flight if this is the case? The best way is to call customer service. That way, you can confirm your airline's policy and make sure you won't be charged any fees.Can I change my flight if it gets cheaper?
Generally, however, the answer is yes\u2014with a few caveats. It's nearly impossible to snag a refund on a non-refundable ticket no matter what the situation. If the price drops after you book, however, your airline may give you a travel voucher for a future flight.Can I change a flight and get a refund?
Schedule Change/Significant Delay - A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel.Flight Change Fees
More answers regarding incentives to change flights
Answer 2
It's been a few years since I experienced this, but on the two occasions I volunteered to give up my seat on a plane, I was offered :-
- London to Frankfurt - vouchers of about 50% of my fare for the same airline, plus a guaranteed seat on a flight 4 hours later.
- London to Chicago - cash of about 75% of my fare, plus a guaranteed upgraded seat (premium economy) on the same flight 24 hours later. I was offered a night in a hotel too, but as I live pretty close to the airport I didn't bother to take this.
My recent experience is that airlines seem to be becoming better at not overbooking flights - the only time I have even seen requests for volunteers was when a preceding flight was cancelled due to a plane fault, but I wasn't quick enough to respond before the quota was met.
Answer 3
I was recently overbooked on an intra-European flight with Air France and the compensation I received was a guaranteed seat on the later flight and a redeemable voucher for a future airplane ticket booked via Air France. Having had it happen with British Airways a couple months back I would say this is common practice for domestic/European flights.
Answer 4
Most of the time I have encountered this, the airline was offering travel vouchers, plus accommodations if they can't get you out the same day.
I can say in the specific case you referenced, US Air was offering $400 in travel vouchers. Because we had young children, I did not inquire about it to find out what else we could get, although if we were traveling alone, my wife and I would have done it.
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