MTV Community and Child Watch Group

A Traveler's Dream

Mar 31, 2007

One of many travelers' worst nightmares can be that of encountering an overbooked plane. But, if you are flexible about taking a later flight, you many turn this nightmare into a sweet dream by volunteering to be bumped. The key is to get to the gate early so that your name will be placed high on the list of the willing. The benefit gained is that you probably will be offered a one-way or round-trip ticket or a certificate toward a future flight worth a flat amount. For example, Southwest offers a voucher equal to the cost of a one-way ticket plus $100 or $200 which is pretty good on a full-fare ticket. Mr. Bill Mosley, a spokesman at the Department of Transportation, states that, "No federal guidelines govern compensation for people who are bumped. It's whatever the airline and the passenger agree to." Be careful though, before you agree to anything, check the certificates and/or vouchers for specifics pertaining to blackout dates and reservation requirements so that you do not get bumped back into a nightmare.