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Budget travel and free flights - how to get yourself bumped |
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One of the most popular strategies for budget traveling is tomake what is traditionally one of the most expensive parts oftravel - the airfare - free. One great way to score free flightswithout tediously collecting frequent flier miles is to getyourself bumped off of the flight on which you are booked. Whilegetting bumped won't make your current flight free, it willtraditionally score you a free ticket you can use at a laterdate of your choosing.
Getting bumped is such a popular money saving strategy thatthere is a definite art and science behind it. Remember that youmay not be the only person on your flight hoping to get bumped.It is important to follow the guidelines listed below toincrease your chances.
Book your flight with the intention of getting bumped.For instance, you may want to choose one of the first flights ofthe day, knowing that you will be able to get on a later flightafter you are bumped and still reach your destination.
Always ask if the flight is overbooked. It may be agood idea to call your travel agent the night before thescheduled flight to inquire. Always ask the gate agent if theflight is overbooked as soon as you arrive and let him or herknow you will volunteer to be bumped.
Always back a flight schedule for your departure anddestination airport. Be sure to get a schedule that includes allairlines, not just the one on which you are booked.
Always arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes priorto scheduled departure. Try to be the first one in the check inline. Being the first in line will ensure that you are the firston the list of volunteers to be bumped.
Before you agree to be bumped, be sure that the airlinewill offer a free ticket or other significant compensation.Individual airline policies vary, so be sure you know what isbeing offered. Some airlines offer vouchers in $100 increments,according to the time you must wait for another flight. Forinstance, a one hour wait entitles you to a $100 voucher, twohours 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 yourarrangements for your current flight. Always make sure you areholding a confirmed reservation and boarding pass for a laterflight before signing the agreement and accepting the freeticket.
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 nextflight, inform the agent that you want a guaranteed seat onanother airline.
Use the flight schedule you packed to choose analternative flight and airline.
If the wait for the next flight exceeds two hours, askthe gate agent for meal vouchers. Most airlines make thesevouchers available, but they do not always offer them withoutbeing asked.
If you get bumped from your next flight, you couldscore another free ticket. It pays to be flexible any time youare flying on a budget.
Remember there are no hard and fast rules everyone mustfollow. There are some regulations, but each airline sets itsown policy with regard to bumping policy and compensation.
The bumping rules are generally different forinternational flights, so be sure to ask the airline about theirpolicies before volunteering.
About the author:
Tony Robinson has travelled extensively throughout thiswonderful planet with his family in tow. For great travel savingtips, techniques and articles on visithttp://www.budget-travel-site.com
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