Airline - Odds of taking a voluntary bump?

[WhiskeyPapa]

Our vacation to DC has taken an unwelcome turn - one of our kids can't seem to shake the flu.

My wife and I were going to leave the kids with my parents while we take a short vacation to DC. We leave Thursday morning. Our 3 year old cannot shake the flu. He'll be fine all day, then ralph at night. So my wife doesn't want to leave him. I know for a fact that our flight is full, but don't know if it's overbooked.

Anyone care to guess the odds that we could take a voluntary bump, get some cash (enough to cover the pre-paid motel) and travel next week?

I don't know how this stuff works, but you always hear the announcement at the gate ("If someone will give up their seat, they will receive a travel voucher and $200 cash...")

[mechmike0034]

It all depends upon how many of the booked passengers actually show up at the gate. You won't get cash, anyway - typically a voucher good for a free flight or a dollar amount towards a future flight plus a seat on the next available flight is what is offered.

Most motels will refund any deposit if the cancellation is made before 6 PM the day of check-in, but I don't know your situation there.

[Markel]

It can also depend on who else is trying to take a voluntary bump. Passengers with higher frequent-flier status get higher placement on the list. Also, you would have to be sure that all your luggage is carry on, since it would otherwise be on the plane.

[VTGreg]

Check online and see how many seats are still available on the flight. If it is full then you have a decent chance. Considering the flight is Thursday in the AM, you may have a tough time unless there is some sort of travel disruption on the route and they are scrambling to get people booked on your flight. You also have to remember that they will typically book you on the next available flight so I'm not sure if they would let you rebook for the following week.

What Markel said is true but the majority of the time individuals with high frequent flier status are more worried about schedule than getting a free ticket or a $300 voucher.

[MrGreg]

I've done the voluntary bump in the past, but I've never heard of anyone getting bumped and trying to get on a flight a week later, instead of the next available. I'm not sure that would "fly."

[ArkiStan]

I've been offered several hundred dollars in cash, a night at a local hotel and transportation for volunteering to be bumped to a flight the next day in the past. I was on my way home to see my family, so I didn't take the offer, but was tempted.

[cheapie]

what did you decide?

[renovation]

what did you decide?
he still trying to get home. he is in the airport like Tom Hanks in the movie Terminal :)

[WhiskeyPapa]

My parents insisted we leave the kids anyway - they were fine by that time, but unfortunately gave both my parents the flu! Fortunately, it only lasted for one day for them.

However, we didn't get seats together, so before the flight out, we asked at the gate if we could change seats and were told "no", then some older lady came up asking for a different seat because she and her husband we seated in the back row and were concerned about the increased turbulance, so we switched with them.

On the way back, we asked again at the gate and also heard "no", followed by "just wait..." She found us a pair of open seats together.

[VTGreg]

My parents insisted we leave the kids anyway - they were fine by that time, but unfortunately gave both my parents the flu! Fortunately, it only lasted for one day for them.

However, we didn't get seats together, so before the flight out, we asked at the gate if we could change seats and were told "no", then some older lady came up asking for a different seat because she and her husband we seated in the back row and were concerned about the increased turbulance, so we switched with them.

On the way back, we asked again at the gate and also heard "no", followed by "just wait..." She found us a pair of open seats together.

On full flights the gate agent isn't typically very willing to work with you on seat assignments. They would likely be inundated by requests if they did this at the gate. However, you are typically able to work with the person in one of the seats next to you.