The totally off-topic thread

[cove]

I use DL to fly to Salt Lake City from Los Angeles and have never had a problem with baggage.

 

[Denali]

I am checking in with DL in a few hours and our baggage fees just happen to be 2x$25

Ah, to not have any status in Scaryteam.

Thats why you should get DL "first". You get free luggage check in.

Doesnt VA status get free check in luggage?

 

[Quickstatus]

I am checking in with DL in a few hours and our baggage fees just happen to be 2x$25

Ah, to not have any status in Scaryteam.

Take one as carry on and then gatecheck for free

 

[anat0l]

Take one as carry on and then gatecheck for free

IIRC if you are forced to gatecheck a piece of baggage and do not have the appropriate entitlement, you will still be charged. I imagine they have a suitable facility at the gate, or maybe they send you to the service counter.

 

[Flashback]

Thats why you should get DL "first". You get free luggage check in.

Doesnt VA status get free check in luggage?

Who knows. BA exec club is my program!

Take one as carry on and then gatecheck for free

Hadn't seen this before I went through, but my bag was carry on size so took it through. Small plane (E175) and full flight so asked people to check rollaboards. No worries, sorted. Made its very tight connection in SEA and was one of the first off the belt in YYJ. Happy days!

 

[Denali]

....

Hadn't seen this before I went through, but my bag was carry on size so took it through. Small plane (E175) and full flight so asked people to check rollaboards. No worries, sorted. Made its very tight connection in SEA and was one of the first off the belt in YYJ. Happy days!

Having just done 8 Delta flights, see gate check every single time.

I also liked watching the "we are overbooked and paying people $$$ to take a later flight" game each time as well - one flight got up to over $1K to take the next days flight.

 

[anat0l]

...one flight got up to over $1K to take the next days flight.

That's $1000 in Delta vouchers right, not cash or cheque (or check, if you live in the USA)?

Perhaps not so bad for the US based traveller, otherwise for many overseas-based people, airline vouchers are about as good as monopoly money.

I like how in EU 261, the compensation is cash or liquid monetary equivalent; the customer does not have to accept other forms of compensation (e.g. airline vouchers) unless they consent to it.

 

[Denali]

That's $1000 in Delta vouchers right, not cash or cheque (or check, if you live in the USA)?

Perhaps not so bad for the US based traveller, otherwise for many overseas-based people, airline vouchers are about as good as monopoly money.

I like how in EU 261, the compensation is cash or liquid monetary equivalent; the customer does not have to accept other forms of compensation (e.g. airline vouchers) unless they consent to it.

Yep, Delta'Dollars but if you live there, might be worth your while. I remember seeing a couple walk up at Memphis, talk to counter, walked away with $800 each and a later flight. OK if its holiday travel and not work related as your schedule is flexible.

Atlanta>Santiago they were overbooked by about 14 people. Started at $600 and by the time we boarded, it was over $1K plus hotel plus food vouchers. I was posting during the event about some smuck that jumped at $600 and then stuck around and kept hearing the value go up and up. He wasnt happy but as I told my husband, watch and wait - the price will go up.

 

[Denali]

Flyertalk has a thread about compensation for off loading - its quite interesting. Some people end up making enough for a nice family holiday.

 

[anat0l]

Yep, Delta'Dollars but if you live there, might be worth your while. I remember seeing a couple walk up at Memphis, talk to counter, walked away with $800 each and a later flight. OK if its holiday travel and not work related as your schedule is flexible.

Atlanta>Santiago they were overbooked by about 14 people. Started at $600 and by the time we boarded, it was over $1K plus hotel plus food vouchers. I was posting during the event about some smuck that jumped at $600 and then stuck around and kept hearing the value go up and up. He wasnt happy but as I told my husband, watch and wait - the price will go up.

That's the thing about compensation for bumps; it's basically a Dutch auction in reverse. It's a bit like those radio station games where you hear a voice announcing dollar amounts of increasing value, and when you say "Stop", you win the amount that was announced; however, if you don't say "Stop" before the mystery timer runs out (usually denoted by a loud beep sound or the sound of a bomb exploding), you win nothing.

The schmuck who jumped - well, it could have stopped there but of course if you're seasoned at this you typically have a good idea where the bids are going to stop.

If you could "sell" the vouchers (i.e. they were transferrable), that might not be so bad after all.

 

[Denali]

....
If you could "sell" the vouchers (i.e. they were transferrable), that might not be so bad after all.

I got 2 x $25USD Delta vouchers yesterday, was hoping for points. They are not transferable but I can use them for another person if they are on my booking/PNR. Cant even donate them, which is what I hoped to do.

 

[JessicaTam]

That's the thing about compensation for bumps; it's basically a Dutch auction in reverse. It's a bit like those radio station games where you hear a voice announcing dollar amounts of increasing value, and when you say "Stop", you win the amount that was announced; however, if you don't say "Stop" before the mystery timer runs out (usually denoted by a loud beep sound or the sound of a bomb exploding), you win nothing.

The schmuck who jumped - well, it could have stopped there but of course if you're seasoned at this you typically have a good idea where the bids are going to stop.

If you could "sell" the vouchers (i.e. they were transferrable), that might not be so bad after all.

I wonder if DL would accept "I will take a later flight at whatever the highest offer ends up as"?

 

[anat0l]

I wonder if DL would accept "I will take a later flight at whatever the highest offer ends up as"?

Probably not. That would defeat the whole purpose of the gradual "auction".

You can negotiate a specific compensation offer, and if they accept it, that's fine, but you need to assure that you will get what you asked.

 

[Denali]

I wonder if DL would accept "I will take a later flight at whatever the highest offer ends up as"?

On the FT thread I mentioned, some people negotiate $$$, hotel, food voucher and an upgraded on the next flight or they put in a $ counter offer to be matched by Delta.

When the Santiago flight guy jumped at the first offer of $600, it only took minutes before it jumped to $1K.

I enjoy flying in the US, such a great people watching sport. Huge carryon bag situations, people behaviour, people rushing for the gate likes its the last flight out of Vietnam, people getting shirty if they dont get an upgrade, the oversold offers. Had a great time.

 

[Cossie]

Now in Pakse, it's hot, looking forward to the Vat Phou boat cruise on the weekend, hope their aircon works......

Tomorrow or Friday we'll head up to the plateau to try coffee, it certainly won't be the last time we will visit this gem of a country.

 

[anat0l]

On your birthday, does anyone expect anything special when they're out and about, or travelling?

I know that friends of my sister basically take the day off on their birthday and go around to various restaurants or ice cream places and the like, because they often have a policy of free or discounted stuff on your birthday. Some of this isn't written down or advertised; sometimes it's about who you know.

I know that sometimes if you stay somewhere and they look up your profile, you might expect a small surprise on your birthday (bottle of wine, a small cake, etc.). I've never flown on the day of my birthday (and it isn't happening this year - I'm working on the day of my birthday and can't get out of it), but some people get small surprises on board when they do so.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

On your birthday, does anyone expect anything special when they're out and about, or travelling?

Cathay Pacific gives Marco Polo members a free upgrade on their birthday. One cabin upgrade, subject to availability. I know plenty who take advantage of it, even for ultra long haul.

 

[Denali]

On your birthday, does anyone expect anything special when they're out and about, or travelling?

I know that friends of my sister basically take the day off on their birthday and go around to various restaurants or ice cream places and the like, because they often have a policy of free or discounted stuff on your birthday. Some of this isn't written down or advertised; sometimes it's about who you know.

I know that sometimes if you stay somewhere and they look up your profile, you might expect a small surprise on your birthday (bottle of wine, a small cake, etc.). I've never flown on the day of my birthday (and it isn't happening this year - I'm working on the day of my birthday and can't get out of it), but some people get small surprises on board when they do so.

I set my husband a challenge for his birthday this year: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/wiki/list_of_birthday_deals

For "anything special", my office officially has Denali Day. Your birthday off with pay. Its actually in the payroll system as Denali Day Its my legacy.

Ive actually removed my birthday from my social media profile as I dont like the group fuss but we usually are on holidays for my birthday so last year was a Woolies choc cake at Katherine while exploring NT but if someone offered me an upgrade, I'd take it!

 

[TomVexille]

...
people getting shirty if they dont get an upgrade, ...

That's my favorite. When I've paid for F (J) and they're angry I'm in "their" seat

 

[Quickstatus]

Departing LGA there were Delta dollars on offer December 26.
went to $1000 pp and looking for 6 seats. I did not jump quickly enough. By the time I got to counter it was down to 4 pax. We're were 5 pax.

Eventually all taken up. Never seen it go past DD$1000