My point exactly.. I've lost count of how many times I've volunteered, the only flights I couldn't get shit on was the PR-DR flights. All they'll do is stick you in the airport hotel, a real dump.
If you think it's love try not paying in the morning..
"Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many."
OVERALL I'D SAY IT WAS A SUCCESS!!!!!!
It could have been better but a success never-the-less.
My ticket was as follows:
American Airlines
Leave Sat. 12/22/07 JFK - STI (santiago)
Return Tues. 12/25/07 $600
Ok, there's 2 non-stop flights daily from JFK to Santiago. They depart at 6am and 1pm.
So i booked the 6am on 12/22. I got to the airport early, checked in and camped out at the departure gate. At around 5:20am, an agent shows up at the gate. I make sure i'm first on line and have the agent put me on the "volunteer" list.
By this time it was a mad house at the gate. You would have thought this was the last plane out before the bombing of New York. They were overbooked by about 20 so i was a lock to get bumped. And i was the only volunteer. Didn't really need any of the information in the thread. It all seemed to take care of itself. I'm sure it was because of the Holidays.
So when it was time to board, they called my name and asked for my seat. They only offered me a $300 voucher and $10 for a meal because they booked me on the next flight leaving in 7 hours.
At 1pm, same thing! Mad house at the gate. Placed my name on the volunteer list and got the call. This time around, they booked me on the 6am flight the next day, offered a $500 voucher, $20 for meals, overnite hotel stay and get this, a rental car!
This brings us to Sunday, 12/23. I was bumped off the 6am flight and offered $300 and a meal.
I was not fortunate enough to get bumped again and was placed on the 1pm flight on 12/23. Arrived in Santiago that evening and stayed at the condo of one of my Santiago regulars.
On Monday, Christmas eve (which is the real holiday in DR), i drove to Sosua and booked a room at Hotel Romanoff. I called on one of my regulars who was preparing dinner at her parents house in Puerto Plata, to come see me for a few hours.
Later that evening, i ventured out onto the strip and was surprized to see the streets filled with TOTO. Ok, it wasn't the usual 300 chicas floating around but more like 150! (which is more than enough toto to go around) Found something i liked, clubbed her in the head and dragged it back to the cave. A good time was had by all!
Tuesday, 12/25 i departed from Santiago and made it back to New York in time for Christmas dinner. What an adventure!
In conclusion, i paid $600 for the ticket and received $1100 in vouchers, 2 nights in DR and still enjoyed my Christmas in New York. It could have been more but i'd call it a success.
I am flying COntinental to POP over Easter weekend. Getting bumped is possible on this very busy weekend. ANyone know what the recent deals are in relations to BUMPs. Almost every time I've gone at Easter time it has been offered either on there way there or back. I have never accepted before. My ticket was very expensive: $900 and I am pretty sure the flight is sold out.
Just wondering what I can expect. . . have things changed since this thread started? I talked to someone on the phone at COntinental, and she said if I get bumped my voucher would cover the amount I paid, so in this case $900. TO be honest, I was going to pay that much, but in the back of my mind I rationalized it by promising myself I'd take the bump and benefits if offered.
I would be happy with flying the next day, a free round trip voucher for the next trip, and some $$.
Don't really need a hotel , I would turn it down if it meant more cash or vouchers. Would rather have some more $$ for blow in POP. Anyone have recent experience with Continental from NY/NJ area?
This week Continental in POP was offering $500, 1st class on next flight, Playa Dorado stay and free roundtrip taxi.
Always negociate but don't lose your place on the volunteer line.
Last edited by Revolutionrock77; 04-04-2009 at 11:34 PM.
The volunteer list just means they will make the offer to whoever's first on the list. Yes, you can still negociate once you're on the list and get called. And you can still refuse if you don't get a good deal. They won't give up your seat unless you give that consent.
What i meant by not losing your place in line, is being semi-forceful but very polite. Don't let them start talking to the next person until they finish dealing with you. The process is very quick.
The things you want at the very least are, a voucher that will at minimum cover another ticket, hotel stay, transportation to/fro, guranteed seat on next flight/not stand by and maybe first class and meal vouchers.
Many places have long lists so if you wait until they call for volonteers, you are out of luck. Coming home from Sosua, I was usually #1 on that list and they would get up to 30 additional names.
You want access to trip reports?
Google Wallet
JDRent97@gmail.com
Very educational thread, I have never gotten bumped, didn't even know about the list, but thanks to all of you, I am now aware and will probably try it sometime in the future. Again thanks for the info.
Why should I limit myself to only one woman when I can have as many women as I want?
George Gershwin
If you fly out of POP or STI, the AA customer service staff stays the same and over time, after they know you, they may upgrade you for offering to go on the list every trip. I have been upgraded a few times as well.
Jimmy ad Psriches:
thanks, that info is really helpful. Was last thing I wanted to ask. I will check in electronically on Continental.com
Where to I try to get on the list, at the gate for my flight or where the other passengers form a line to checking in ?
thanks!
If I'm lucky I will get bumped on GOod Friday and AGAIN the next weekend when the crowds are coming home to return to work.
I purposely booked to come home a day earlier than I wanted too with that intention.
Hope it works out!
And if you're traveling on American or an airline with multiple flights a day, take the bump. Put your name on the list as soon as you walk up to check in. You can always remove yourself from the list or just turn down the bump if called later on. In some cases, the bump just means arriving at 6pm instead of 2pm. In my thread you'll see my trip ended up being free with additional free trips thrown in.
Last edited by psriches; 11-10-2009 at 08:48 PM.
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