Of course we volunteered for the bump and the agent although somewhat curt did go to check if they were over and found out they were. The conversation went like this:

Hi are you oversold? And do you need volunteers?

Yes we are oversold. We do not need volunteers.

My reply: I guess I don’t understand that response.

Her reply: We have our ways.

At this point I was flabbergasted and was about to drop the subject. She excused herself and came back indicating they did need volunteers and were we interested. I asked about the compensation and she indicated $800 plus a hotel if they could not get us on the later SFO flight. We agree but only with confirmed Biz or First seats.

She sent us to the other side of the check in area where we met an agent that actual cared. We were informed that the compensation was as indicated and the requirement that we wait to see if we were on the SFO flight before going to our hotel. We could hang on the extra hour for the SFO flight and again I asked for confirmation of Biz or First the next day.

She then informed me we would be flying Qantas the next day which I guess would have been OK and we would be in the class of service ticketed.

We were ticketed in coach and upgraded with systemwide upgrades and all United would do is buy us a coach seat on Qantas.

The point of my story is never, never, never give away your seat until you know exactly what you will be receiving. All through our conversation I made sure that they had not released our seats.

I wouldn’t fly coach across the Pacific if it was $1200 per person. I’m just too big and too old for that. You youngster maybe, but not the Bug and me. We declined gathered our original seats and boarded to LAX

Mileage Plus Double Miles Dining Bonus

February and March earn twice the miles when dining at a Rewardsnetwork restaurant and paying with your registered credit card.

As a top tier VIP member, that is typically 10 miles per $ spent and it starts with your first dine.

You must register first here and enjoy the extra miles

Watch for the other airlines affiliated with the Rewards network to offer something similar soon.

Southwest Drink Vouchers Donated to the Blog

I just picked up the drink coupons that Mike Del S. sent me before we left for New Zealand. He has graciously donated them for the good of the blog.

The first two of you (of legal drinking age) with flights in February send me an email and they are yours. UPDATE Already Gone

Mike Del S is the Frugal travel Guy of the Day

The Red Carpet Club in LAX gave me two $20 off McCormick and Schmicks Seafood Restaurant vouchers. We don’t have one here on the island, so if you do and are one of the first two to respond, you own one. Don’t forget to include your snail mail address. They are good thru 3/31/10.
Update Already Gone
Jay in New York City
Karen in Philly.
Better luck next time