You’ve undoubtedly heard of airline passengers bumped from their flights, either voluntarily or unwillingly, who receive either cash or a travel voucher for future flights as a result. But a passenger’s unlucky forced bump from an United Airlines’ flight on Thursday due to a broken seat landed her with perhaps the biggest travel credit jackpot ever at $10,000. So maybe it was a fairytale ending, after all! Here’s more about what happened:
Allison Preiss, a communications director from Washington, was asked to involuntarily step out of the boarding line on her March 22 flight.
Washington Dulles International Airport/Facebook
Attendants indicated the flight out of Dulles International Airport was oversold.
She was “chosen” because was the lowest fare passenger and no one else had volunteered.
Washington Dulles International Airport/Facebook She had tweeted she nabbed the last seat on the flight when booking it the day before.
Unsurprisingly, Preiss was more than just a little angry…at first.
Washington Dulles International Airport/Facebook She tweeted: “United tried to get me to sign a document that says I volunteered my seat on this plane when I was involuntarily denied boarding. Sketchy af.” And then: “On the upside, I wasn’t physically dragged off the plane and my dog wasn’t killed on board, so I’ve got that going for me … which is nice.”
United apparently didn’t want to hand out cash, but her haggling led to an amazing offer.
Allison Preiss/Twitter She tweeted: “They just offered me $10,000 in travel credit. TEN THOUSAND.” She posted a photo of the voucher to prove it.
The unlucky-lucky traveler also added she even got two $10 meal vouchers to boot. United Airlines has confirmed the account and that the flight was oversold. By the way, to those wondering, she did get to where she needed to go.
Washington Dulles International Airport/Facebook
Attendants indicated the flight out of Dulles International Airport was oversold.
Washington Dulles International Airport/Facebook
She had tweeted she nabbed the last seat on the flight when booking it the day before.
She tweeted: “United tried to get me to sign a document that says I volunteered my seat on this plane when I was involuntarily denied boarding. Sketchy af.” And then: “On the upside, I wasn’t physically dragged off the plane and my dog wasn’t killed on board, so I’ve got that going for me … which is nice.”
Allison Preiss/Twitter
She tweeted: “They just offered me $10,000 in travel credit. TEN THOUSAND.” She posted a photo of the voucher to prove it.
What travel woes have you endured, and how was it handled? Did you receive a travel voucher or cash for your troubles? Where would you go with a $10,000 travel credit? We’d love for you to share your stories and comments. In the meantime, if you get bumped from a flight, here are tips for making the time at the airport feel like a mini vacation.
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