Travel Hack: benefit from oversold flights

While some look at oversold flights as a curse, I find them to be a gift. Of course, any unwanted change to your travel plans can be a nuisance, but the silver lining is the benefit that can come from it.

The beautiful beach at Doctor’s Cave in Montego Bay, Jamaica that I experienced as the result of an oversold flight

Typically, airlines will book more people on a flight, than there are seats, which is called over selling. When an airline oversells a flight, they are required to compensate the impacted passengers in some way (more on the reasons why can be found here if you’re interested). Typically, their first recourse is to ask for people to voluntarily give up their seat. If that doesn’t work, you may be moved without permission to a later flight (AKA being bumped). In either case you can negotiate for compensation. 

I must admit, this is one of my favorite travel hacks. You usually have a greater chance of ending up in this situation when you:

1.     Take late flights, particularly on a Sunday; the last flight out is almost always oversold because everyone wants to get home same day.

2.    Fly on the day before major holidays; notorious overbooking occurs because so many people cancel flights around this time the airlines roll the dice.

3.    Fly to hard-to-reach destinations; with limited flights available oversells become a greater possibility. 

I will often volunteer to give up my seat in any of these cases because you’re offered credit to do so. Generally, this is airline credit or a voucher for a future flight. The amount depends on how badly they need the seat and what you can negotiate. In desperate situations, I’ve been offered as much as $1800 for my seat which was about 2x what I paid for that particular ticket. If giving up your seat sticks you in your location overnight, the airline will provide hotel, transportation, and meal(s) for your stay as well. Some airlines will also offer gift cards and other perks as compensation but be warned those can be taxable depending on the amount. 

Don’t forget, you can negotiate your price. You do risk losing to someone who will take a worse deal, but most often they’re willing to entertain your proposal because they need the seat more than you. Your negotiation can include the amount of your credit, but also the hotel where you’re accommodated or the number of meal vouchers you receive. Always make sure you handle any business, like understanding your full compensation and rebooking to a future flight BEFORE you leave the airport. If you have checked baggage, it can be removed from the plane. However, if you have carryon baggage only, you’re a more attractive volunteer.

So, if you have flexibility and your next flight is oversold, don’t be afraid to give up that seat and let me know how it works out!