This must be my year!
 

I can't resist bragging about my good luck this year-compliments of mismanaged airlines.

Last June -02 we were going to the Pacific Northwest, (seattle victoria, vancouver and whister and the airline overbooked)- We gave up our seats and agreed to fly out 3 hours later and they gave us each 400 apiece in future free airfare for a total of 1600. (We used that airfare to book a trip to the Grand Canyon, sedona and Vegas this past April). Onthe way back from the Pacific Northwest Trip, they totally screwed up our seating arrangements with the kids and even though it all worked out, they gave us each another 75 apiece (300 total) for "pain and suffering" We used the 75 apiece to book a trip to Tampa last Nov. '02. When we go to take the Tampa trip, they overbooked again so we gave up our seats(it was one of the last flights of the day and we weren't going to arrive until midnight anyway) and they put us up in a hotel, and flew us out first thing the next morning first class (with Hulk Hogan in the seat in front of us) and gave us each 500 apiece (total 2000) to use for future flight. (Actually on the return trip from Tampa- they overbooked again, but we decided not to be greedy)Anyway, with the 2000 we booked a Trip to Alaska and are leaving this Saturday. Now, going back to the Arizona trip(whichi if you remember was free), they overbooked again and we gave up our seats and they flew us out a couple of hours later first class, gave us an additional first class upgrade(which we used on the first portion of our upcoming Alaska trip- 8hour flight) and an additional 1600 in free airfare(400 apiece) which we are using to go to Aruba in November. All this for a family of four, for whom flying is quite costly. The best part of all this is that by the end of the Alaska trip we will have accumulated enough frequent flyer miles for one more trip! Has this been my year or what!

That's truly amazing...where are all these overbookings when I am taking a trip?

Which airline(s) were you flying?

I sat next to a guy the otehr day who uses a TA specifically so that he can book his travel on the MOST heavily booked flight for where he is going.His story was not nearly as good as yours.But he always informs the gate agent that he is a ready and willing volunteer in the event of an overbooking.His system works for him.

We have been flying with Continental out of Newark,nj. I used to hate flying with them but as far as i am concerned now they are number one on the hit parade!

I have been flying Continental in and out of Houston pretty frequently, let's see if my luck will change...(-:

My head is spinning from the amount of overbookings you were able to score on :)
We always fly Continental and I have been gifted with passes and upgrades when something has cause displeasure:) but nothing like this!!
This is so cool~