Have you ever been sitting comfortably in your airplane seat, ready for takeoff, when a flight attendant comes over the intercom asking for volunteers willing to give up their seats? Or maybe you’ve been at the front of the line for a busy restaurant only to have the host ask if you’d be alright waiting an extra 30 minutes so they can accommodate a large party that just walked in? What does it mean to offer a bump?
In situations like these, businesses will often offer compensation or a “bump” to customers who are willing to voluntarily give up their spot or seat for the greater good. While it may seem like an inconvenience at the moment, accepting these types of bumps can work greatly in your favor.
The Origins of the Term “Bump”
The concept of bumping, which has its origins in the airline industry, arises from the common practice of overbooking flights. Inevitably, there are occasions when more passengers show up than there are available seats. To entice travelers to voluntarily give up their reservations, airlines will actively offer various forms of compensation, such as free flights, seat upgrades, travel vouchers, and sometimes even straight-up cash. This approach, known as active offer no bump, allows airlines to manage overbooking situations more smoothly by encouraging passengers to willingly relinquish their seats in exchange for attractive incentives.
The specific term “bump” came about as it quite literally refers to passengers being “bumped” from their expected flight. The airline asks, or “bumps”, the traveler to switch to another flight time in exchange for the aforementioned benefits. Over time this idea spread to other businesses like restaurants, where they might “bump” your reservation by 15 minutes in exchange for a free appetizer.
How Businesses Decide Who Gets Bumped
Airlines and other companies use sophisticated algorithms to determine how to best handle overbooking situations. They want to limit inconvenience for customers while also avoiding empty seats on flights or tables at a restaurant. Here are some key factors they consider when deciding who to bump:
- Fare class – Travelers who paid more for first class or business class seats are less likely to get bumped than those in the economy.
- Frequent flyer status – Airlines want to avoid upsetting their most loyal and frequent customers. So if you have elite frequent flyer status, your chances of getting bumped drop dramatically.
- Timing of booking – Last-minute travelers who booked at the last second have a higher chance of getting bumped than someone who bought their ticket months in advance.
- Group size – Singles, couples, and small groups are often picked over larger parties which are harder to rearrange on a different flight or table.
- Destination – Flights to a tourist destination tend to overbook more since they expect a higher no-show rate. These routes see more bumping requests.
- Likelihood of volunteer – Airlines bump the people they think will happily accept an offer rather than put up a fight.
The Pros of Accepting a Bump
While getting bumped can feel like an inconvenience at the moment, there are some major upsides to voluntarily giving up your spot that is worth considering:
Significant monetary compensation
By accepting a bump, you are making the business a major solid. And most companies compensate generously for this favor. Airlines will often hand out hundreds of dollars in cash or flight vouchers, especially on oversold flights. Restaurants frequently discount the entire meal, offer gift cards, or even give out champagne or desserts. So be sure to negotiate politely to get the best offer.
Exciting perks and upgrades
In addition to monetary compensation, bumps frequently come with other perks like free Wi-Fi, lounge access, seat upgrades, and priority booking on future flights. At restaurants, you could get special treatment like complimentary appetizers, desserts, or your next visit to the house. The incentives add up fast.
Ability to pick a better time
Rather than ending up with whatever leftover flight or table is available, voluntary bumping gives you control to choose a different time that works better for your schedule. As long as you aren’t in a huge rush, why not switch to a flight with better connections or a dinner table at your preferred time?
A good story
No traffic jam, flight delay, or crowded restaurant ever makes for an exciting story. But getting bumped? That’s an ordeal you’ll likely remember and can turn into an entertaining tale. Getting hundreds in vouchers for giving up your airline seat beats sitting bored at the gate any day.
Doing a good deed
By giving up your spot, you are doing the company a favor so they can accommodate other travelers or diners. It’s a selfless act that helps everyone have a smooth experience. Plus, karma points never hurt!
Know Your Rights as a Passenger
Before agreeing to give up your seat, it’s important to understand your rights as a paying customer. Here are some key consumer protections to keep in mind:
- You can always decline a bump if the offer doesn’t work for you. Airlines cannot force passengers off flights once they are already boarded.
- If you do voluntarily give up your seat, the airline must provide compensation as outlined above. This is usually a written contract you agree to.
- For domestic flights in the U.S., compensation is required by law if you are bumped involuntarily. This starts at 200% of the one-way fare, up to $675.
- If you are bumped involuntarily and the alternative flight arrives more than 2 hours later (or 4 hours internationally), you are entitled to 400% of the one-way fare, up to $1350.
- The airline must provide amenities like food vouchers and hotel accommodations if your new flight doesn’t get you to your destination that same day.
- You always have the right to ask for more compensation if what they offer doesn’t seem sufficient. Don’t be shy in politely negotiating.
Strategizing Your Bump for Maximum Reward
Follow these tips if you get the opportunity to voluntarily give up your seat and want to get the best possible outcome:
- Ask upfront what you’ll receive. Don’t give up your spot until you know exactly what is being offered in return. Airlines especially have policies on minimum compensation so ask.
- Hold out for more – Especially on oversold flights, passengers who wait until the very end often get the best offers. Be patient if they start small.
- Request specific perks – Don’t just settle for whatever they offer first. Ask for flight upgrades, lounge access, adjacent hotel rooms for your family, meal vouchers, and cash.
- Get it in writing – Before agreeing, insist any monetary compensation comes as a written contract. This prevents the airline from trying to provide future flight credits rather than cash.
- Sweeten the deal – Try asking for an extra hotel night, limo service, or double the airline’s voucher offer. Often airlines will agree if it means avoiding involuntary bumping.
- Enjoy the amenities – If you do get bumped and have a long delay until your next flight, take advantage of any vouchers by enjoying a nice meal or free hotel provided by the airline.
Pro Tip: Families and couples should negotiate together and request benefits for everyone. Airlines don’t want to involuntarily bump part of a group so they’ll be more generous.
Alternatives to Accepting a Bump
While usually rewarding, giving up your spot is still an inconvenience. Before agreeing to a bump consider these options:
Wait it out – You aren’t obligated to accept a bump. If they can’t find volunteers, eventually the airline or restaurant will have to sort it themselves.
Ask for a better time – See if you can get booked on the next available flight even if it’s in first class or request a table in 30 minutes instead.
Request an exception – If you have a valid reason like a medical appointment, family emergency, or connecting flight to catch, explain your circumstance and ask for an exception.
Book backup plans – Worried about getting stuck with a much later flight? Always have a backup option like booking backup flights on a separate airline in case you do get bumped.
Complain respectfully – If you feel unfairly treated, follow up politely with the manager. Companies want to avoid negative reviews and PR so tend to be accommodating.
Delay your arrival – For restaurants, simply show up 15 minutes after your original reservation time if possible. This can avoid having to decide on a bump altogether.
Examples of Scored Bumps
To show just how lucrative voluntarily giving up your seat can be, here are some real-life examples of fantastic bump compensation:
- A passenger on United Airlines got bumped from her flight from Houston to Minneapolis. For taking a later flight, she scored a $10,000 travel voucher.
- A family flying Delta agreed to bump to a later flight in exchange for $11,000 in monetary compensation. They made $3,500 per person.
- On an overbooked American Airlines flight, one loyal frequent flyer secured $10,000 in cash plus a first-class seat on the next flight.
- A man got bumped from his Delta flight and negotiated a $2,000 e-voucher plus a confirmed first-class seat on the next flight out.
- One couple flying Allegiant Air voluntarily took a bump. They were given $800 each in cash plus overnight hotel accommodations.
- A Southwest Airlines passenger agreed to deplane in exchange for a $5,000 voucher. He booked a last-minute trip to Las Vegas with it on the same day.
There are some outstanding perks and plenty of cash to score if you play your cards right and negotiate wisely. A little inconvenience can result in huge rewards.
Bumping Policies at Restaurants
Bumping isn’t exclusive to the airline industry. More and more restaurants have adopted policies to entice diners to give up their table in exchange for great perks. Here are the types of incentives they offer:
Priority reservations
Get bumped from your 7 pm dinner reservation on a Friday night in exchange for a confirmed primetime Saturday night table. You’ll avoid the risk of getting shut out on a busy weekend.
Free appetizers and dessert
As a nice gesture for your flexibility, restaurants may comp your next visit with a free app, dessert, or glass of wine for your entire party.
Discount on the meal
Rather than a future freebie, some eateries will take 50% or more off your current meal. So you get to enjoy a delicious dinner at half price.
Gift certificates
Score a gift certificate that can be used on your next visit rather than a discount on the spot. They may even throw in extra value.
Guaranteed reservations
For frequent diners, a guaranteed reservation can have major value on hyper-competitive nights. Even being waitlisted and bumped can pay off.
Premium food and drink
Get treated to top shelf liquor, the best wine on the menu, specialty dishes, and other treats the kitchen can whip up with the comped bill.
Should You Accept a Bump or Hold Your Ground?
Hopefully, you now understand better what it means to get bumped and the types of rewards businesses offer in exchange. When faced with the decision to accept a bump or stand your ground, consider the pros and cons:
Reasons to accept:
- Compensation is often very generous
- Perks like upgrades make it worthwhile
- You’re doing a good deed for the business
- Gives you control to pick a better time
- Opportunity for an entertaining story
Reasons to hold your ground:
- Major inconvenience to your schedule
- Split up from family or friends you’re traveling with
- Uncertainty around when the next flight/table will be available
- Don’t want to risk getting stuck with a terrible option
- You paid for your reservation already!
As you can see there are solid arguments on both sides. In general, if the bump offer seems reasonable and the inconvenience is minor, it makes sense to accept. But if you absolutely can’t afford to alter your plans, stand your ground politely. The choice is yours!
FAQs
What rights do I have if I get involuntarily bumped?
Airlines must provide compensation of 200% of your one-way fare up to $675 domestically, and 400% up to $1350 for longer delays. You are also entitled to amenities like hotels, meal vouchers, etc.
Can I negotiate with the airline or restaurant?
Absolutely! Politely ask for more travel vouchers, higher value gift cards, additional perks, etc. if their initial offer seems insufficient.
What if I’m bumped and can’t fly out until the next day?
The airline must provide a hotel room for you if your new flight won’t get you there until the next day. Be sure to get meals, toiletries, and transportation covered too.
What’s the criteria for getting bumped from a flight?
Fare class, loyalty status, group size, timing of booking, destination, and type of traveler are all factors the airline considers when bumping.
What should I do if I get bumped and lose out on important plans?
Explain your situation to staff politely and ask if there’s any way to avoid the bump. If not, follow up later with the airline to see if they can provide additional compensation.
Conclusion
Although rarely convenient, voluntarily accepting a bump from an airline or restaurant can result in generous monetary rewards, exciting perks, and memorable experiences. When considering how to choose the right real estate agent for your needs, I advise reviewing their offer thoroughly, negotiating politely for the best deal possible, and only accepting if the bump doesn’t completely derail your schedule. Remember your rights as a consumer and the significant compensation you’re entitled to, ensuring a seamless and beneficial partnership with the chosen agent.
While giving up your spot helps the business accommodate other travelers, you are doing them a major favor. Make sure that generosity is reciprocated. With the right mindset and strategy, encountering a bump can ultimately become a positive experience with serious perks rather than just an annoying inconvenience.
