Yesterday, I negotiated with United for a travel voucher.  It played out like this…

I was flying from Miami to Newark after another amazing Virgin Voyages cruise.

Upon checking in online the day prior, I was prompted with a question asking if I would be willing to take a later flight in exchange for compensation. My flight was scheduled for 1:09 pm. It gave me options for later flights. I selected the 2:30 pm flight in exchange for a $450 travel voucher. My assumption was that they would rank people based on how much they were willing to accept in a voucher or miles. However, when I got to the gate, things played out differently.

I arrived at the gate and told the agent I had volunteered to take a later flight. He asked my name and said, ‘Good. We may need you. Stay close.’ He said that the 2:29 pm flight was full, but that he could confirm me on the 7:55 pm flight. He also asked how much I was looking for in compensation. I told him what I entered in the app upon check-in, but I would really like $1,000. He said he would note it. He then announced they were looking for two volunteers. I then asked him how high the compensation could go. He seemed open to negotiation, so I said $2,000. He then came back and said $1,500. I said that was good. It was like playing Let’s Make a Deal without having to find a matchstick in my pocket!

Everyone boarded the flight, and they announced they only needed one volunteer, and I was first. They then gave me the $1500 travel voucher. I asked if I could get a meal voucher, and they said I could have two. They printed two $15 food vouchers. I also asked to be put on the standby list for the next three flights before the 7:55 pm flight I was now booked on. I was told I could be put on standby for the next flight, but the agent would have to roll me over to the standby list for the next flight if I didn’t clear it. I was put on the standby list for the 2:29 pm flight. I saw I was number 5 on the list, so it didn’t look good, since the flight was full.

As I was waiting, I saw on the United app that the 4:49 pm flight had one seat available. The gate agent confirmed me on the flight. So, things were moving in the right direction, as it was three hours earlier than the 7:55 pm flight. The 2:29 pm flight boarded, and three people ahead of me on the standby list cleared and boarded. A fourth name was called. After a few minutes, that person never showed up, and I was cleared onto the flight. Albeit, the next to last row in a middle seat (not the bulkhead window I had on my original flight). But, for $1500, no complaints here.

We landed at 5:20 pm. My original flight was delayed and arrived at 4:39 pm. I received $1500 in free travel and $30 in food for arriving 41 minutes late!

Here are some key tips from this experience:

• Despite the volunteer process supposedly being automated in the app at check-in, apparently, it means nothing, as the alternate flight I chose wasn’t available. The amount I bid in the app also seemed irrelevant. If you want to volunteer, make sure to inform the gate agent when you arrive.
• Compensation is open to negotiation with the gate agent. I learned that certain gate agents are authorized to compensate up to a certain amount, and others (I assume more senior) can authorize higher amounts. Advocate for yourself and ask if anyone can authorize more.
• Ask for other things as well if you volunteer. You may be able to get dining vouchers and/or hotel accommodations if you are unable to leave until the next day.
• Ask to be placed on stand-by for earlier flights.
• Continuously monitor the app for earlier seat availability.

That is my tale of how I negotiated with United for a travel voucher. What is the largest amount of compensation you have received for volunteering to take a later flight?

About Miles Man

Miles Man provides a unique service: helping travelers book trips with miles and points through its Award Booking Service, as well as paid trips, as a certified IATAN Travel Agency.

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