What happens if UC oversold?

Relativly new here so apologies if I am covering old ground and congrats on a super cool website :)

I was wondering what happens when UC is oversold? I recently took a flight from JFK to LHR and was told by the flying club agent that UC was oversold (I was inquiring about changing my Prem ticket to UC - i.e. actually paying for the difference). When I checked in I was told the same thing - UC was oversold. Interestingly though I could have purchased D or J class tickets up to a few hours before the flight. So I would have been adding to the already oversold number of people.

I realise that when econ/prem is oversold then there are the options of operational upgrades etc. However, what do they do with the UC passangers when UC is oversold? Do they use some kind of hierarchy in choosing who gets on - i.e. J class first, gold members first etc and then offer others free flights/money???

I always assumed that if you buy an UC ticket you will get on the plane.

Thanks for any info
cheers
mcjock

[RichardMannion]

Yes they do oversell Upper Class - but then when you have J class flexibility its not unusual at all for changes to be done at very short notice.

I'm not entirely sure of the hierarchy of who gets a seat - I actually think its done on first checked in order - via your SEQ number on your ticket. So if you know its oversold, get there early if you want your seat, or would like to be given the option of taking a later flight.

I know on the Select vouchers there is a 50K FC offer for passengers that have been downgraded from J to W - and obviously the difference in fare refunded too.

Sorry I can't give a complete answer as I have never experienced it.

Thanks,
Richard

Thanks for the info Richard.

The offer sounds pretty reasonable for a 'downgrade' - which considering how much people pay for J class is to be expected!!!

cheers
Jock

Also, as another option to the downgrade or bump to next flight, remember that most J tickets are endorseable - i.e. the issuing airline can endorse the ticket over to another airline nominated by the passenger.

So, if UC turned out to be oversold, the customer could phone up one of VS' competitors, ask if they have J (or C) availability on their flight, and if they will accept an endorsed ticket from VS.

If the ticket is an e-ticket, you would have to go to VS and have them convert it to a paper ticket. Usually, there is a charge for this, but I'm sure that if they have oversold the flight they may waive the charges to convert the ticket.

Taking this route does mean that you are making the problem your own, rather than VS's, so if things fall through and the other carrier sells all their seats (unlikely in the 10 minutes since you last spoke with them....) you're on your own.

I have also heard of airlines taking pax with endorsable tickets from an overbooked flight and reaccommodating them on a different carrier, simply by securing a reservation for the passenger on the competing carrier and endorsing the passenger's ticket.

Cheers,
Mike

I've been in the lounge at JFK and had them tannoy offering 50k miles to be bumped from VS046 (2100) to VS010 (2310). Nice gig if you're not in a rush to get home. Boy would I do some damage to the Ben & Jerry's...

Passengers are asked as they chack in if they would like to be downgraded for some kind of compensation.

Normally its first come first served, so if you check in late then there is a chance a seat may not be avaliable and it even says this on the back of your ticket.

If a flight is oversold you do not need to worry its up to the airline to get you to your destination.

At the airport the airline would put u onto a later service or rebook you onto another airline.

Dont forget there are lots of no shows on every flight so if you got concerned by what res told you, you would be crazy to change your plans just get to the airport and check in on time!

quote:Originally posted by csparker
I've been in the lounge at JFK and had them tannoy offering 50k miles to be bumped from VS046 (2100) to VS010 (2310). Nice gig if you're not in a rush to get home. Boy would I do some damage to the Ben & Jerry's...

Interestingly...

I'm on VS046 tonight in PE and it looks like PE and UC are both booked out. Guess I'll try and volunteer for the wide open VS010

Phil (Buffy)

quote:Originally posted by RichardMannion
I know on the Select vouchers there is a 50K FC offer for passengers that have been downgraded from J to W - and obviously the difference in fare refunded too.

This doesn't seem to compare very well with the compensation given for a bump from Y Cabin. There you get a Select voucher worth 50k FC miles and you get to your destination either on the next flight or rerouted via another VS destination with a connection. Often an upgrade to PE is given (or, exceptionally to UC!).
I know that a Y bump means you don't get to fly on your booked flight, but an UC pax who is 'bumped' out of UC into PE on the same flight needs to be very well looked after, and I just don't think that 50k miles and some of your own money back does that.
Is there anyone out there that has had an involuntary downgrade from UC that can shed some light on the compensation policy, please?

I'm on a W fare tonight and would quite happily take 50k miles for a voluntary 2hr delay or a downgrade to Y. Alternatively an upgrade to UC on VC10 would be almost as well recieved (I would prefer the miles).
What I absolutely do not want is any form of refund as this goes to my company

Don't suppose it will happen but I'll let you know tomorrow.

Phil (Buffy)

From the JFK Clubhouse.

No luck - They were looking for two volunteers in UC.

...and I'm sitting in 75K downstairs - boo hoo. Trip report to follow.

Phil (Buffy)