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Free Airline Tickets, Business Class Upgrades - Here's How to Get Them
During my 15 years in the travel industry, I’ve been asked that question a lot. Certainly one of the biggest expenses when planning romantic vacations, or any trip, is the air fare.
Here are a couple "tricks of the trade" that sometimes result in free airline tickets, or a nice upgrade to Business Class, with all that extra legroom and free drinks! Volunteer to be “Bumped”If an airplane has 100 seats on it, the airline will usually sell 108 or 110 seats, simply because they know from experience that there will usually be 8 to 10 people who don’t show up for the flight. It’s simply a policy of protecting themselves. But every once in a while, everybody shows up! That’s when things get interesting…
Then, most carriers will call for volunteers to give up their seats, in return for compensation. For US and Canadian airlines, that means deplaned passengers will usually receive a guaranteed seat on the next flight (and sometimes it's a seat up in first or business class!), a meal voucher, and then the best part: free airline tickets! Usually a ticket good for travel in the continental US/Canada. Sometimes even overseas. A few carriers offer cash instead; perhaps $200-300. Similar compensation takes place in Europe, Asia and elsewhere.
How can you benefit? If you (and your partner if along) don’t mind waiting a little bit, and won’t jeopardize a tour or other arrangements at your destination, be one of those who volunteer to give up your seat! At the airport, keep your ears tuned at all times. Especially at the gate, be alert for P.A. announcements about “oversell” or “overbooking”. Be ready to jump to the counter and volunteer when the call is made. You’re next flight(s) could be free!
The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease (Sometimes)Most major airlines are still feeling the effects of the downturn in travel after 9/11 and have become a little tighter with giving away free airline tickets to appease customers. However, it's always worth trying.
First, you need to have had a truly awful customer service experience on a major air carrier. We’re talking about lost luggage and involuntary denied boarding, not the flight attendant spilling coffee on you.
Next, you need to express your displeasure with the airline in a clearly worded, business-like letter (type it if you can, and sign it. Don’t use fax or e-mail). If you have a company letterhead, use it. Include all the details – date of flight, flight number, routing, record locator number, even a photocopy of your boarding pass. Tell them what happened, and explain how the airline inconvenienced you or ruined part of your trip. If you were flying on business, let them know.
Then tell them that unless this problem is dealt with in a very satisfactory way, and you receive some compensation for the trouble caused, you will not only cease flying with them but will share your bad experience with others. Then mention that as far as your next trip is concerned, you are waiting for their reply before deciding who to travel with.
It’s good to send a copy of the letter to the Aviation Consumer Protection Branch of the Dept. of Transportation in the US. In Canada, send it to The Canadian Transportation Agency Air Travel Complaints Commissioner. From my experience in the airlines, there are five possible results:
And when you're reasonable but firm with all your communications, you will maximize your chances of receiving a free air ticket or business class upgrade.
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