Budget Travel and Free Flights How to Get
Yourself Bumped
Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with free flights?
This informative report can give you an insight into everything
you've ever wanted to know about free flights.
One of the most popular strategies for budget traveling is to
make what is traditionally one of the most expensive parts of
travel â€" the airfare â€" free. One great way to score free
flights without tediously collecting frequent flier miles is to get
yourself bumped off of the flight on which you are booked.
While getting bumped won’t make your current flight free, it will
traditionally score you a free ticket you can use at a later date
of your choosing.
The more authentic information about free flights you know, the
more likely people are to consider you a free flights expert. Read
on for even more free flights facts that you can share.
Getting bumped is such a popular money saving strategy that
there is a definite art and science behind it. Remember that
you may not be the only person on your flight hoping to get
bumped. It is important to follow the guidelines listed below
to increase your chances.
* Book your flight with the intention of getting
bumped. For instance, you may want to choose one of the first
flights of the day, knowing that you will be able to get on a later
flight after you are bumped and still reach your destination.
* Always ask if the flight is overbooked. It may be a
good idea to call your travel agent the night before the scheduled
flight to inquire. Always ask the gate agent if the flight is
overbooked as soon as you arrive and let him or her know you will
volunteer to be bumped.
* Always pack a flight schedule for your departure and
destination airport. Be sure to get a schedule that includes
all airlines, not just the one on which you are booked.
* Always arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to
scheduled departure. Try to be the first one in the check in
line. Being the first in line will ensure that you are the
first on the list of volunteers to be bumped.
* Before you agree to be bumped, be sure that the airline
will offer a free ticket or other significant compensation.
Individual airline policies vary, so be sure you know what is being
offered. Some airlines offer vouchers in $100 increments,
according to the time you must wait for another flight. For
instance, a one hour wait entitles you to a $100 voucher, two hours
means you get $200, etc.
* Before accepting your free ticket or travel voucher, let
the gate agent know that you need to be sure of your arrangements
for your current flight. Always make sure you are holding a
confirmed reservation and boarding pass for a later flight before
signing the agreement and accepting the free ticket.
* Tell the gate agent that you want a guaranteed, confirmed
reservation on the next flight to your destination.
* If there are no guaranteed seats available on the next
flight, inform the agent that you want a guaranteed seat on another
airline.
* Use the flight schedule you packed to choose an
alternative flight and airline.
* If the wait for the next flight exceeds two hours, ask
the gate agent for meal vouchers. Most airlines make these
vouchers available, but they do not always offer them without being
asked.
* If you get bumped from your next flight, you could score
another free ticket. It pays to be flexible any time you are
flying on a budget.
* Remember there are no hard and fast rules everyone must
follow. There are some regulations, but each airline sets its
own policy with regard to bumping policy and compensation.
* The bumping rules are generally different for
international flights, so be sure to ask the airline about their
policies before volunteering.
Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn
may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.
James Mahony is the founder of Caribbean Cruise
Vacations, A site dedicated to Cruise Vacations Information
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