An American traveler in Italy racked up thousands of dollars and extended her luxury vacation by agreeing to be banned from overbooked flights.
Susan Berry discovered that her first flight back to Philadelphia from Naples was overbooked and accepted an offer from American Airlines gate agents for a $1,200 travel voucher in exchange for flying the next day.
The freelance photographer learned that there is no limit to the number of coupons she can receive, so she decided to try her luck and volunteered to be replaced again.
Berry ended up extending his stay in Italy for four more days, and received $3,600 in airline vouchers. In addition, American Airlines paid for his accommodations in four-star hotels, transportation and three meals a day.
“The second day, when I heard there was a potential two-week opportunity to do this, that’s when I started saying, ‘cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching,'” Berry said. Good morning America.
Susan Berry racked up thousands of dollars and extended her luxury vacation in Italy by agreeing to be removed from overbooked flights
American Airlines gate agents offered $1,200 travel vouchers in exchange for flying the next day.
“I was just starting out, so I was mentally prepared to stay for two weeks.”
Every day, Berry returned to the airport with no intention of catching his flight, but instead hoping to make money.
“Apparently American Airlines is overbooked on the same flight from Philadelphia until August 15th and they need someone to volunteer to be on hold for the flight until then and every day they get $1,200 in travel vouchers,” she said on TikTok.
‘I have $3,600 and counting. I’m trying to get to $10,000 and then travel the world.’
She documented her experience staying at the hotels where the airline accommodated her by calling it ‘Camp American Airlines’.
Each day, Berry returned to the airport with no intention of catching his flight, but instead hoping to get $10,000 in travel vouchers.
Some days Berry was the only person kicked off the flight, other days she was joined by groups of people.
At one point, gate agents began to recognize Berry and were shocked to learn that he had not yet arrived home.
However, on her fourth day, after enjoying her breakfast at the hotel, the flight was finally not overbooked and Berry was sent home.
“I’m going home, they’re kicking me out. You know what? I’m happy, I accept it, I have a good trip ahead of me,” she said.