The Bumping Game - How To Get Free Airline Tickets

There are two sides to the bumping game: those who want to fly on their original reservations, and those who would like to earn free tickets by taking a later flight. Here are the rules of thumb common to both situations:

1. Arrive at the airport as early as you can (at least one hour before flight time is the minimum).

2. Arrive at the gate before it opens and try to be the first person in line. (This is especially important if you do not have a preassigned seat.)

3. If you do not have a preassigned seat and you do not want to give up your seat voluntarily, make sure that you know the boarding priorities for the airline you are ticketed on.

4. On oversold flights, there is a difference between the ticket counter and the departure gate. If the person checking you in says you do not have a seat, ask if it is because you do not have a preassigned seat. If the answer is yes, tell that agent that, according to federal rules, you can only be denied boarding based on the airline's published boarding authority as follows:

AirTran, Aloha, America West, Southwest, US Airways, and Vanguard: First come, first serve at the boarding gate.

Alaska: First come, first serve at the loading gate.

American: First come, first serve where boarding passes are issued, which can be either the ticket counter or the departure gate. At 20 minutes before departure, first and business class passengers receive priority.

ATA and TWA: First come, first serve at the ticket lifting point, which can be either the ticket counter or the departure gate.

Continental and Hawaiian: First come, first serve at check-in, which can be the ticket counter or the departure gate.

Delta and Northwest: First come, first serve at the ticket-lifting point where boarding passes are issued. This can mean the ticket counter or the departure gate. Delta gives priority to first class passengers and those who arrive at the departure gate at least 15 minutes before departure.

United is first come, first serve by check-in at the loading gate or other points designated by United (the ticket counter or the departure gate).

Any departure from these rules is a violation of Rule 245 and should be reported to the Department of Transportation.

If you are bumped, it's your job as an informed traveler to know what you can expect in the way of compensation:

1. Ask for a copy of the Department of Transportation Notice of Overbooking of Flights. The airlines are required to display this federal rule continuously in a conspicuous public place at each desk, station, and position.

2. You will lose any claim to compensation if you do not meet the airline's minimum check-in time (usually 20 minutes prior to departure). Airlines are not required to pay compensation on commuter planes (60 passengers or less). If you are re-scheduled on a larger jet, you are not entitled to compensation but you should ask. If you get to your destination between one and two hours after your scheduled arrival, the minimum compensation is the face value of the current segment of your ticket (not the fare to your final destination), or $200, whichever is less. If you are delayed more than two hours but less than four, the compensation must be at least double the one way fare or $400, whichever is greater. If you are offered round trip tickets, be aware that there could be restrictions such as blackout dates, limits that allow you to make only last-minute bookings, or standby travel status only. Always ask what limitations the tickets carry and don't be afraid to ask for better terms. Compensation is paid to every member of your party who does not take the scheduled flight. The airline must ask for volunteers first if they overbook.

If you want to plan ahead to give up your seat:

1. Get to the airport at least one 1 1/2 hours before departure.

2. Ask the gate agents if they are looking for volunteers.

3. Ask what compensation is being offered if you give up your seat.

4. Negotiate, but do not assume that the airlines will increase the compensation. Sometimes you will lose out because others are willing to take what is being offered.

5. Ask the gate agent what flight you will be protected on and make sure your seat is guaranteed. If they cannot guarantee you, a seat ask to be protected under Rule 240, a set of general airline policies that usually require airlines to book you on another carrier if they cannot accommodate you on their own flights.

6. Check the airlines' schedules so you can let the gate agent know what flights you prefer.

7. DO NOT leave the gate area until you have an official document of some sort in hand showing you are confirmed on the newly booked flight.

If your next flight appears to be overbooked, follow these same strategies for your new flight and you could end up with another free ticket.