Overbooked Flight: Giving Up Your Seat for Compensation

Excuse me, ma'am. Are you on the 6:15 to Denver?

I am. Please tell me it's not delayed.

Well, not delayed, exactly. We're slightly overbooked tonight.

We're looking for volunteers to take a later flight.

Ah. And I take it there's something in it for me?

Absolutely. We're offering a $400 travel voucher.

Four hundred. Hmm, that's a tempting opening offer.

But I've read the fine print on these before.

What's the expiry date, and can it be used on any route?

It's valid for twelve months, on domestic flights only.

So, effectively, it's a coupon with a deadline.

Honestly, I'd rather have the cash equivalent.

Oh, cash is... a bit trickier, I'm afraid.

Well, if nobody volunteers, some passengers get denied boarding.

And then you'd owe them compensation anyway, wouldn't you?

Ha! You've clearly done this before.

And if I agree, when would I be rebooked?

On the 9:40 tomorrow morning, with a guaranteed seat.

Tomorrow? Wait, so I'd be stuck here overnight?

We'd cover a hotel and meals, of course.

Okay... that does soften the blow a little.

Give me a second. Let me see what I can do.

How about $300 in cash, plus the voucher?

Now we're talking! Any chance of an upgrade?

Well... there's one seat left in first class.

I can also throw in lounge access tonight.

Cash, a voucher, first class and the lounge? Deal!

Wonderful! You've just saved my evening.

And you've just made my trip. I'll take the hotel too.

Here's your boarding pass for tomorrow. Seat 2A.

Perfect. Remind me to get bumped more often!

Ha, please don't. We'd go out of business!