Passengers on overbooked Delta flight offered $4,000 to get off

A TikTok video of a Delta Air Lines DAL flight from Boston to Rome captured a flight attendant giving passengers who voluntarily got off the flight auction-style offers.

Sep 26, 2023 - 22:30
 0  12
Passengers on overbooked Delta flight offered $4,000 to get off

Seasoned travelers will know that a good way to earn an unexpected bit of cash or travel credits is to sign yourself up to be moved to the next available one in the case of overbooking. 

At check-in, airlines will occasionally ask passengers if they are willing to put themselves on a list of people willing to be bumped off the flight if necessary as well as the amount of money they'd accept for the inconvenience. United  (UAL) - Get Free Report's "Volunteering Your Seat" program usually offers around $400 in travel vouchers for a domestic flight. Some passengers also reported receiving $600 for a voluntary bumping from an American Airlines  (AAL) - Get Free Report flight. 

Related: 5 Things to Know if You Get Bumped From Your Flight

In some extreme examples, the flights are so overbooked that the airline is willing to offer pretty plump sums for travelers who increasingly know that holding out could earn one even larger offers later.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Flight attendant to passengers: 'You can go shopping via gift card...'

In a TikTok video of a Delta Air Lines  (DAL) - Get Free Report flight from Boston to Rome posted by The Only in Boston (@onlyinbos) account, a flight attendant is heard asking if there is "one passenger who wants to take one for the team?" through the overheard announcement.

More Travel:

"You can go shopping via gift card..." the flight attendant is heard in her efforts to convince someone to voluntarily get off the flight.

When no one volunteers, the flight attendant is hard offering, auction-style, $3,500 — although it is unclear if this is cash or travel vouchers.

"Come on guys, $3,500, can somebody take one for the team?" the worker is heard saying. "We'll get you a hotel if you guys show up for us."

According to the passenger who filmed the interaction, 13 passengers ultimately accepted between $2,000 and $4,000 as well as a hotel for the night until the next available flight.

TikTok Explodes: 'Four months of free rent'

The high cash offered by the airline ultimately surprised TikTok users — the video was viewed millions of times and received nearly 400,000 likes.

"That's crazy, $3500 would low-key be life changing," wrote one commenter. "Four months of free rent."

"I settled for $800 once from Delta," wrote another. "I'd sprint for $3k

What's Your Reaction?

like

dislike

love

funny

angry

sad

wow