I have a ticket from Orlando to Philadelphia to Paris on U.S. Airways in May. Checking the U.S. Air site, I see my flight is sold out (and may be overbooked) both from Orlando and Philly. My schedule is flexible, so I wouldn't mind getting bumped...but what kind of package does U.S. Airways usually offer in that situation? Also, how likely are they to put me up overnight--I'm not from the Philly area. I know what the general situation with overbooked passengers is, but I'm curious if anyone has any USAir specific insights. Thanks! (I'm also posting this in the airline section)<BR>Note: because I seldom fly USAir, I'm not one of their high mileage FF passengers, if that makes a difference.

It's doubtful that there would be any difference based on frequent flyer status. I can't answer specifically for U.S. Air, but gate agents generally have quite a bit of flexibility concerning what will be offered and it varies. The important thing is to get to the gate early, talk with the agent to size up the situation and then put yourself on the volunteer list so that you're in the running for a bump, if that's what you want to do. You can let the agent know that your offer is "conditional" on overnight accommodations, some minimum level of compensation, etc. What you finally end up with will depend on HOW oversold the flight is and what it takes to get people to volunteer. If it is VERY oversold, you may want to hold out for the offer to increase, but you will risk losing out, too. If you have the opportunity to choose, don't take the typical free ticket deal but go for $$$ value in flight credit. It's much easier for you to use and you will collect FF miles on the flight you take with that type of voucher. A friend of mine picked up two sets of four tickets each with his family on one vacation trip to come up with an "three for the price of one" trip with U.S. Air by picking up two bumps enroute. Good luck!

My husband and I got bumped from a USAir flight out of Las Vegas two months ago because of engine trouble (at least they discovered it before we took off!). If you've ever been to Las Vegas, you know all the east-bound red-eyes are always packed. Well, the gate agent told all 200+ passengers to go back to the check-in desk -- you never saw such a madhouse: everyone on cell phones, people running, etc. To make a long story short, they booked us on an America West flight to Chicago at 6 a.m. the next day; then USAir to Charlotte. Put us up in the Flamingo Hilton (gave us cab voucher, but the cabbies don't like to take them, because they say USAir only gives them $10 which doesn't cover the fare). They didn't give us any food vouchers or any phone card (which their online regs. say they are supposed to do).<BR>When we got to the airport the next a.m., America West wouldn't let us on the flight -- they said USAir hadn't confirmed my reservation - -just my husband's. We went back to USAir counter, had to wait until someone showed up at 8 a.m.; they finally put us on a flight to Denver; then first class to CLT. I sent USAir a letter, but no response.<BR>A better story: my son and I flew to Miami last month for his regional gymnastics meet. All the return flights were overbooked. We volunteered to be bumped (USAir took 25!! volunteers for that flight!); they put us on the very next flight, which was also overbooked. They gave us two free vouchers good for any roundtrip in US or Canada.<BR>We are using frequent flyer miles for our upcoming Europe trip (also through Philly to Paris).<BR>Good luck!<BR>Pam<BR>

Thank you Jim and Pam. I would prefer cash to flight vouchers because most of my travel is business travel and I get reimbursed for it. I usually tack my vacations onto business trips. However, I will check in early and see what happens. With both legs sold out (I'm flying on Mother's Day), I'm hoping to get a good offer in either Orlando (where I won't need accommodations) or Philly (where I will).

One additional question: if I get put on a nondirect flight (i.e., routed through Pittsburgh), what are the chances of getting an upgrade to business class?

my husband gets first class upgrades all the time on business trips on USAir, but he has preferred status. And those first class seats go fast on weekdays (business travelers) on popular routes.<BR>Pam<BR>

I would volunteer to be bumped for an upgrade on the Paris leg.

Last year when flying USAirways from Brussels through Philly to Washington National in early June, they were asking for volunteers to give up their seats on the Philly to Washington leg and take a flight one hour later in exchange for a voucher for a free flight anywhere in the continental U.S. over the next year. I took it and used the voucher to fly free from Washington National to San Diego over Easter week -- not bad!

Hi<BR><BR>how much you can expect depends on who is overbooked.<BR><BR>Of course they will reconfigure economy to accomodate business / 1st if they can.<BR><BR>My best deal was BA Barbados - Gatwick economy in early January.<BR><BR>They started phoning 36 hrs before to get me to delay.<BR>In the check in queue they started again. As it happened I had a connecting cheapie BA flight Gatwick - Gothenburg. So I said sure if they could change my "non changeable" ticket, I might be interested. <BR>The following 2 days were a holiday in Sweden, but they didn't know that !<BR>Final deal was .......<BR><BR>Choose an extra night in Barbados, Antigua, St Lucia or Grenada all paid (inc flight, airport taxes, meals, taxis, roomservice)<BR><BR>Either GBP 200 cash, or flight vouchers of GBP 400, each<BR><BR>Upgrade<BR> <BR>I took Grenada. I could have charged a days diving, except for the flight pressure problems. I charged a boat trip for snorkelling.<BR><BR>Best part of the trip !<BR><BR>Peter<BR>

Some reference material:<BR><BR>Fly-Rights - A Consumer Guide to Air Travel <BR>http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer/flyrights.htm#delayed<BR><BR>US Airways' Denied Boarding Compensation info <BR>http://www.usairways.com/customers/travel_policies/terms/terms.htm#Denied%20Boarding<BR><BR>basically, compensation varies on whether you volunteered or not, how soon they can get you to your destination, and where you're flying. In some instances, frequent-flier members get preferential treatment in involuntary bumping.

I fly over 100 segments on USAir a year.<BR>Get there as soon as the gate agent arrives. About one hour before departure. USAir gives one Round Trip Flight Coupon (RTFC) they almost always get enough volunteers for that so that is probably all you will get. They will probably not upgrade you because they are always