Hello, I have just checked the availabilty tool for VS010 JFK-LHR (5/12) and the flight is v full. Is there any incentives offered if I offer to volunteer for the next flight? Will they offer miles/upgrades or hotel accomodation? Thanks
I've been offered on other airlines a $250 voucher (AA) for another flight on AA but when I asked if I could fly J on the next flight out they kinda looked at me funny! 
I think it rare that you'll get anything but monetary reward for flying on the airline another time.
But I don't know for sure with VS.
JC.
I think it rare that you'll get anything but monetary reward for flying on the airline another time.
But I don't know for sure with VS.
JC.
Incidentally,
When I flew back from JFK last Wednesday (24th) all the flights were showing full in everything except UC - however there did not seem to be any offers being made at check-in.
I have had an offer before - flying out of EWR just after New Year. They were offering overnight accomodation, a return flight anywhere on the network and, of course, flights on the first flight next day. I believe the free flight takes the form of a Select voucher that is worth either a free return flight or 50k miles that you can use in any manner you want - upgrades etc.
Funnily enough on the day you're flying out of JFK I will be flying back and hoping for some W availablity so I can lose my Y seat on a revenue UG.
Phil (Buffy)
When I flew back from JFK last Wednesday (24th) all the flights were showing full in everything except UC - however there did not seem to be any offers being made at check-in.
I have had an offer before - flying out of EWR just after New Year. They were offering overnight accomodation, a return flight anywhere on the network and, of course, flights on the first flight next day. I believe the free flight takes the form of a Select voucher that is worth either a free return flight or 50k miles that you can use in any manner you want - upgrades etc.
Funnily enough on the day you're flying out of JFK I will be flying back and hoping for some W availablity so I can lose my Y seat on a revenue UG.
Phil (Buffy)
Jonathan is correct - this is classed as VDB (Voluntary Denied Boarding) - all airlines will offer this first in an oversold situation before then going into IDB (Involuntary Denied Boarding) - each will involve a form of payment in the format of DBC (Denied Boarding Compensation)
VS will compensate a passenger for VDB in the form of a 'Select' voucher - these are good for 1 free return trip on any VS operated route (excludign codeshares) or 50,000 FC miles. If I recall Slect vouchers are also dished out for involuntary downgrades from a higher cabin (and of course the difference in fare is refunded). If you do a search on 'Select' you will see a few other threads where I have put some detail on them.
IDB is a pain, and this is where some airlines try and fob you off - like our chums over at Continental that tried it on with me at EWR last year - much to their downfall, I've never flown with them since, and boy did they wish they had IDB'd someone else - no one likes a smart alec and you can imagine the field day I had (especially when working out the fare sector value in about 5 second sjust by reading the paper ticket
)
It all varies per airline to be honest, I got offered £150 in BMI vounchers or £75 in cash for taking a flight an hour later due to an oversell to CDG earlier in the year - hmm, tough one there eh? Another hour sat reading newspapers in the lounge and being paid for it? That was for VDB, whilst our monkey like friends at KLM offered less for IDB - it was £50 or Û75 for a real inconvenience.
My take is for IDB, never ever accept their first offer as they will push it up - but in the US there are maximums that they can go to by law, so in this case remember you could always ask for the upgrade.... If you are really interested search for 'Denied Boarding Compensation' on your preferred search engine, some airlines publish their compensation policy upfront.
Take a look at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... 030483.pdf for info on the new rules coming into play next February for the UK and EU.
Thanks,
Richard
VS will compensate a passenger for VDB in the form of a 'Select' voucher - these are good for 1 free return trip on any VS operated route (excludign codeshares) or 50,000 FC miles. If I recall Slect vouchers are also dished out for involuntary downgrades from a higher cabin (and of course the difference in fare is refunded). If you do a search on 'Select' you will see a few other threads where I have put some detail on them.
IDB is a pain, and this is where some airlines try and fob you off - like our chums over at Continental that tried it on with me at EWR last year - much to their downfall, I've never flown with them since, and boy did they wish they had IDB'd someone else - no one likes a smart alec and you can imagine the field day I had (especially when working out the fare sector value in about 5 second sjust by reading the paper ticket
)It all varies per airline to be honest, I got offered £150 in BMI vounchers or £75 in cash for taking a flight an hour later due to an oversell to CDG earlier in the year - hmm, tough one there eh? Another hour sat reading newspapers in the lounge and being paid for it? That was for VDB, whilst our monkey like friends at KLM offered less for IDB - it was £50 or Û75 for a real inconvenience.
My take is for IDB, never ever accept their first offer as they will push it up - but in the US there are maximums that they can go to by law, so in this case remember you could always ask for the upgrade....
If you are really interested search for 'Denied Boarding Compensation' on your preferred search engine, some airlines publish their compensation policy upfront.Take a look at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/d ... 030483.pdf for info on the new rules coming into play next February for the UK and EU.
Thanks,
Richard
In addition to LRoM's post above.
If VS are looking for VOs and you volunteer. You will be given a duty free voucher whether you are chosen or not (£10 I think).
You will be given a seat but asked to remain landside until the number of VOs (volunteer offloads) is decided. Your luggage will be checked but stickered to identify that fact that you may not be boarding.
When they have decided how many pax they have to offload they will call the volunteers to check in and arrange meal vouchers / hotels / select vouchers for the ones not getting on the plane and the others will be allowed airside to get on the plane.
I think they take people in the order that they checked in, so if you are looking for a VO, it is best to check in early.
Nick
If VS are looking for VOs and you volunteer. You will be given a duty free voucher whether you are chosen or not (£10 I think).
You will be given a seat but asked to remain landside until the number of VOs (volunteer offloads) is decided. Your luggage will be checked but stickered to identify that fact that you may not be boarding.
When they have decided how many pax they have to offload they will call the volunteers to check in and arrange meal vouchers / hotels / select vouchers for the ones not getting on the plane and the others will be allowed airside to get on the plane.
I think they take people in the order that they checked in, so if you are looking for a VO, it is best to check in early.
Nick
A few years ago, while checking in at LHR for LAX, I was asked if I wanted to volunteer to take the same flight the next day. The compensation was a RT voucher good for one year on any VS flight in ECON. The trip had to originate and return from a VS gateway.
I said yes, and they held my ticket and luggage, gave me a food voucher, and was told to go have lunch and check back. Upon checking back, they still did not know if they needed my seat.
About 15 minutes from departure, they called me up, gave me my ticket, and said that they did not need my seat, and to get to the gate. "They are waiting on you"!
That was a run!!! I made it, and they closed the door behind me. The problem was that my window seat was taken, and I had to sit in the middle. That upset me somewhat.
ETOPS: You have an interesting name. Do you work for/with the aviation industry???
Mark
I said yes, and they held my ticket and luggage, gave me a food voucher, and was told to go have lunch and check back. Upon checking back, they still did not know if they needed my seat.
About 15 minutes from departure, they called me up, gave me my ticket, and said that they did not need my seat, and to get to the gate. "They are waiting on you"!
That was a run!!! I made it, and they closed the door behind me. The problem was that my window seat was taken, and I had to sit in the middle. That upset me somewhat.
ETOPS: You have an interesting name. Do you work for/with the aviation industry???
Mark
If you want to get VDB it is better to approach either the Sales Desk or see the supervisor at the start of the check-in queue. And do it as early as possible. If VA wants to VDB several pax then they will know this before check-in opens and will approach pax as they arrive at check-in.
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