OK, this topic really has brought out everyone's emotions. I think a lot of interesting points have been made here on all sides. Clearly, this subject has touched a nerve with many posters. I know it did for me. So much so that I actually went back to look for Cleleste's original post. And that's something I never bother to do. For what it's worth, her first post was actually nicer, in that she admitted there was probably no hope for her, but asked for suggestions. Unlike now, when she has now convinced herself that everyone owes her a living. But the more interesting part was that she says that SHE threw out the voucher (not hubby) and that the voucher was dated 4/1/00!!!! And she's going to use it for a trip this coming March. So there you have it. Celeste, dear, if you're going to come to this forum to drum up support, please get your facts straight before you attempt to rile everyone up. First, be consistent in your story (was it you or you husband that screwed up? Not that it matters, only to the extent that changing your story makes you seem untrustworthy), and how can a voucher be good for almost 2 years? And how is it you haven't flow Delta for almost 2 years yet claim to be such a "loyal" customer?

Sorry to go on at such length, but I had to vent over this foolishness. Now let's go back to offering advice for sincere people who have real concerns.

No, truly, I have listened to both sides. Then I asked myself: Self, walk in Celeste's shoes for a moment ... toss that voucher. Do you want a replacement, or not? I'll give my usual weak-kneed response: I want my voucher. I was dumb, but I still want it. But then I've always been a gratification type. Cannot help it - just chalk it up to a character imbalance. But gimme my voucher!! Ciao

Leone, I agree with you that if it was me, sure, I'd want a replacement voucher. BUT...I would accept responsibilty for my mistake of having it tossed out, I would make the request acknowledging it was the goodwill of Delta to re-issue one and not my RIGHT to a replacement voucher. And last but not least, I would be nice about it...I always marvel that the people who are making a scene don't get a lot of sympathy from the staff. I try to be humble and nice, looking for a solution together, rather than forcing it to get my way. Honey is sweeter than...

The above posters were right when they said that voucher was already overdue-they are only go for 12 calendar months from the date issued ,they are FREE and there is no record of them in the computer.Celeste-the fares to many places are so dirt cheap at the moment,why do you not bite your losses and just book another ticket for $150.00.The irony in the airline business is that we give $500.00 vouchers for a $129 RT ticket that they did get to use.Enough already.............

If I pay for a ticket and it cost $400.and then I am bumped from a flight.and they give me a voucher..I have not taken the flight yet, I have a voucher(which can be considred a ticket).does this not mean that I paid for this voucher/ticket? What did they do with the $400? They kept it! Therefore I should be entitled to the flight?
Why is everyone saying that she didn't pay for this? Bumped means they overbooked.You still paid..they wont let you fly.They owe her a flight.

Celeste--

I get those travel vouchers from Delta several times a year. (Guess I'm lucky) I also know that they ARE transferrable and the DO EXPIRE in one year. If your flight was 4/00, then it had expired. I also checked your previous post and if you were about to die it is amazing that you were able to log onto this website on your deathbed, plan your trip in March, and worry about something like a lost voucher. Get over yourself. You tried to get it replaced and Delta said they won't do it. Accept responsibility and learn from this mistake. Next time keep the voucher in a safe place!

No, they OWED her a flight.
She didn't comply by the rules.
Now they OWE her nothing.

(and just for the record, I recently let a voucher expire, called American and they said their policy is that they'll 'reinstate' expired vouchers for a rebooking fee of $75. Since they were two $150 vouchers I still got a total of $150.
So even if expired, vouchers aren't valueless....at least not at American)

Al-she got the voucher for being delayed to the next flight(government rules).So she got her flight that she originally paid for (with maybe a free meal,upgrade,hotel- whatever thrown in) and the voucher for ANOTHER future flight.I know quite a few people that have flown on another airline for the past 4 years without ever paying as they always book the cheapest flight on a major holiday with the very intention of getting bumped!She got everything that she was supposed to get but lost the out of date voucher so was trying to get something else for nothing-and we wonder why the airlines have had money problems.Perhaps we could all chip in and send poor Celeste a few bucks for her next trip?Kinda like the old "Queen for a Day" show-the show that you could get a washer and a dryer for the best sob story?Alas,Celeste..........your story is just another one in the "Naked City"!

Leone: So, you "pulled an A" in logic. What a surprise that you got an A, AND that you shared your happy news with us. P.S. While in school, did you also refer to sociology as sosch and psychology as psych? Cool!

To al:

I see this subject of bumping won't go away. If you will look back at my previous post, you will note that I made the most common assumption that by being "bumped" it means the passenger was taken off an overbooked flight and sent off on the next available flight. In that case (which happens all the time) the passenger did in fact get his/her flight. However, he/she was inconvenienced, and so the airline awards a freebie voucher as a sort of consolation prize. It would seem 99% likely that this is what happened to Celeste. In which case, Delta owes her nothing. If I am mistaken, I stand corrected.

Now, back to the regular scheduled madness.

Yes, it is a logical assumption that Celeste was given a later flight when she was bumped and that is why they gave her the "free" voucher -- for her inconvenience. Otherwise, why wouldn't she have immediately used her voucher to pay for the flight to get home that they left her stranded from? What airlines do you take that when they "bump" you because of being overbooked that they don't provide you with a later flight? Or has poor Celeste been stranded at this undisclosed location for nearly two years and may never get home because she has no voucher to get her there?
I'm sure we'll never hear from poor Celeste again. Especially now that it has been brought to light that it was her, not her husband who threw the thing out and that it is a two year old, long expired voucher that we are talking about to begin with.

OK OK EVERYBODY GET BACK TO WORK! No wonder the economy is suffering...

I, like Celeste, would try & see if Delta would replace the voucher. (Doesn't hurt to try!) If, however, Delta won't replace it, I'd have to take my lumps for misplacing (or thowing out) the voucher.

Did you see the report on the late news last night that stated that producivity in the US increased 83% between the hours of 2:00 pm and 10:00 pm yesterday, strangely coinciding with the crash of the Fodors server?

LOL.. nina, that is funny~ I know that I for one was at a loss for something to do! The house was asleep, tv is a bore and no Fodors, quel horreur!

You people are all nuts!!!

If I toss out my lottery ticket and then hit the jackpot, do I still get the money??

Hey there, Tired Of - yes, you caught me redhanded - I was guilty of all three offenses. Cool, yes, probably that too. Really, I was just being a bit self deprecatory (yes, I'll wait). So, really, it was just in good fun. But I do feel a bit sorry for Celeste - although she made a boo-boo (bet you haven't heard that one in a while either). Have a good day, and get some rest. Ciao

Thank god fodors was down yesterday! I finally got some laundry done.

Now, I sympathize with Celeste because I have a husband who sometimes behaves like a bull in a china shop when it comes to paperwork. It is a hard pill to swallow and she is perfectly entitled to do whatever she can to get that lost voucher replaced. But in the end it was a mistake, *not* the fault of Delta and she may just have to accept it. Obviously, Delta does not keep track of these vouchers or she would not be met with such resistance in trying to get this one replaced.

I also don't buy the logic that "now" the airlines should be bending over backwards to please the customer. Of course, they always should have been customer oriented, and I think all of us can cite instances when airlines displayed stellar customer service and instances when they did not. Post 9/11, I don't believe it is morally right for us to "expect" airlines to give away more free trips in order to drum up business. They are hurting (albeit they were hurting pre-9/11), we are dependent on them, let's just hope the industry can figure out how to survive, but I don't believe giving away tickets is the answer.

Once, I had two bags of clothing by the front door -- one for Goodwill and one for the dry cleaners. I accidentally brought the wrong bag to Goodwill, full of my best coat, cashmere sweaters, silk blouses, etc.). The next day I discovered my mistake and raced back to Goodwill but it was too late. My mistake. It's a shame, but what can you do?