[jimworcs]

I have never heard of hotel or car rental overbooking... EVER. I have never been refused a room or a car when I book it. I have however, a number of times been denied boarding, or been on a flight where offers have been made to encourage passengers to disembark. Every time that has happened to me, I have been in the US.

[PHXFlyer]

You've never rented a car and when you went to pick it up were told the class of vehicle you rented wasn't available? Unless I need more room for a specific reason I always rent the lowest or next to lowest economy class vehicle and nearly half the time they will be out of them and have to give me a free upgrade to a sedan or SUV. It's a great way of gaming the system for free upgrades as much as volunteering your seat in an oversale is a great way of getting free travel.

Next week I'll be flying three segments out and three segments back on the two busiest days of the travel holiday. I did so intentionally to increase my chances of getting a bump. I also intentionally booked the last flight out of Las Vegas on the trip home so I might be forced into an overnight stay there. A free hotel room in Vegas is just the break I'll need after spending 4 days with the parents et al!

[jimworcs]

I have regularly been upgraded with my car... but this is not at all the same thing. I adopt exactly the same tactics. I am writing this from Madrid. I booked a Ford Ka. I always book a Ford Ka. The reason for this is that I have NEVER been given a Ford Ka, as most airport car hire places don't have them. I am driving a nice Citroen C5 instead but paying about $60 less than if I had booked it ahead of time.

This is not at all comparable with the airline scenario. Have you ever heard me complain that a customer has been upgraded to 1st Class? But I can honestly say I have NEVER not been able to get a car when I have booked one.

I have no problems with your tactics to get a free room in Vegas and perhaps some top up miles, especially after Thanksgiving with the parents. However, the fact that you can organise your schedule in such a way as to increase your chances of not getting on, illustrates perfectly how common this reprehensible practise is. Furthermore, the airlines overbooking at critical travel times, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc is doubly problematic. How many precious family holidays have been ruined by airlines.