PHILADELPHIA– A Philadelphia woman profited from a lucrative airline hack by collecting thousands of dollars worth of travel vouchers while living a life of luxury in Italy, agreeing to be canceled from her flights home.
And she recorded the entire experience on TikTok.
Susan Berry’s flight home from Italy was overbooked and she says American Airlines gate agents offered $1,200 in travel vouchers for a next-day departure.
However, the flight the next day was also overbooked – and the one the day after that as well.
“When I found out there was potentially a two-week opportunity, I started screaming, like, ‘Cling-cling-cling-cling!'” she told Good Morning America.
And she didn’t just collect travel vouchers. She says American also found her a free hotel and paid for her meals. They even arranged a ride from the airport.
And so Susan kept returning to the airport, with the firm intention of not taking her flight.
“I’m at $3,600 and going. I’m trying to get to $10,000 and then travel the world,” she says in a TikTok video.
And while you don’t have to be as ambitious or outgoing as Susan, experts say flights are often overbooked. If you’re flexible, you can earn thousands of dollars plus perks – especially if you negotiate.
“Airlines also have a secret menu. This could be things like lounge passes or even a business class seat on your replacement flight,” said Scott Keyes, founder and chief flight expert at Going.com.
Susan finally made it back home to Philadelphia because her fourth flight finally had enough room on board for her.
“I had just started and was mentally prepared to stay for two weeks,” she said.
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