Woman makes $750 profit after late flight switch at airport
Cameron Frank, 30, was on her way to a business meeting in Detroit when Delta Airlines asked if she would give up her seat on the overbooked flight
A savvy traveler pocketed $750 by taking airline compensation and quickly rebooking a cheaper alternative flight just 30 minutes later. Cameron Frank, 30, was flying from Chicago, Illinois, to Detroit, Michigan, on Delta Airlines.
Upon arriving at the airport, the carrier announced an overbooked flight and offered her $1,000 to surrender her seat. Cameron swiftly searched for alternative options and discovered an American Airlines departure leaving just half an hour later for merely $250.
Delta refunded her original ticket, and the 30-year-old wardrobe stylist secured the bargain fare, netting a cool $750 profit.
Cameron, from Chicago, explained: "It was a bit of a spur-of-the-moment decision, so my heart was definitely racing. I had taken credits for being bumped off a flight before, but never straight cash and never to run for another plane. I'm just happy it's worked out in this way!"
The entrepreneur was heading to a crucial business meeting with investors when asked to vacate her seat. Since her clients had covered the flight cost, she seized the opportunity when Delta presented the compensation offer.
Cameron said: "I do feel I was more confident in trying this out with a flight I hadn't actually paid for, so there was a bit less to lose. But because I was on the way to a business meeting, it was really important I got there on time."
While Delta provided Cameron with a complimentary seat on their next departure, the schedule didn't align with her needs. She said: "The next Delta flight would have been too late. This made me look at what other flights were available, which is when I saw the American Airlines one leaving in 35 minutes."
Cameron was set to depart from Chicago O'Hare Airport, a sprawling international hub with multiple terminals. Her original Delta flight was scheduled out of Terminal 3, while the new American Airlines flight was taking off from Terminal 5.
In a frantic dash, Cameron hustled between terminals, which involved a ride on the airport train, and she reached the gate just in the nick of time.
Cameron described the experience: "It was definitely a close call and there were points where I wasn't sure if I would make it. The train between terminals felt agonisingly slow at points, but I made it eventually.
"Then I was just lucky that I only had hand luggage and could get through security as quickly as possible. I made it to the gate with 11 minutes to spare and even managed to grab myself a Starbucks caramel Frappuccino. I'd say it took me about 20 minutes in total, from gate to gate."
Cameron later contacted Delta regarding compensation for the missed flight. To her surprise, Delta issued a reimbursement in company credits amounting to $529.
Cameron said: "I hadn't even thought about asking for compensation for the first flight until my friend suggested it to me. I emailed Delta honestly not expecting much, but they got back quickly and were happy to help.
"I travel a lot for my job so having airline credits is actually quite valuable to me, so I'm very happy with the outcome. Also, the hotel where I had my business meeting in Detroit had a casino and I was feeling lucky, so I played some Blackjack that night. I ended up winning with an extra $800!"
