When American Airlines gate agents announced they needed volunteers to step off an overbooked flight, Susan Berry immediately volunteered.
Berry, after a two-month stay in Italy, was eager to extend her adventure. Her volunteerism meant more time in Naples and a $1,200 voucher for future flights.
“Before the manager could even finish his sentence, I’m like, ‘Me! Me! Me! Can I do it please?'” Berry, who was due to travel from Naples, Italy, to Philadelphia on August 4, recounted to Business Insider.
Once she agreed to the arrangement, the 36-year-old boarded a car arranged by the airline, joining seven other passengers who had also been bumped. They were transported to a four-star hotel where they stayed overnight at no charge.
Berry arrived at the airport the following day, where she learned that her next scheduled flight was also full. She said she volunteered again, and then an airline worker mentioned that the flight was fully booked until mid-August.
After some quick math, Berry realized she could spend the next 10 days gaining flight vouchers, staying in free hotels, and dining on free Italian cuisine.
It was an opportunity the freelance fashion photographer said she couldn’t pass up. By the end, she hoped to have more than $10,000 in vouchers for a trip around the world.
Berry’s $10,000 goal was cut short, but she did extend her trip three extra days and has $3,550 in flight vouchers.
Did I just discover the ultimate loophole with American Airlines? Should I exploit this chance and enjoy a week’s stay in a free hotel while racking up $14000 in travel credits?! #americanairlines #traveltiktok #traveltok #travellife #traveltips #budgettravel
While most travelers dread a full flight, Berry saw it as a prime opportunity, especially after a successful first day in Naples.
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The group of passengers who were bumped off became quick friends, sharing a journey to their hotel, enjoying a meal of prosciutto, mozzarella, and fish, and sharing laughs.
How it all started! Had a BALL with this first group of my fellow overbooked buddies! #americanairlines #napoli #traveltips #travellife #airportlife #travelvlogger
Berry initially thought it was just a one-off occurrence until she returned to the airport the following day and found that volunteers were needed once again.
As a freelancer, Berry was able to work from anywhere, which now included a complimentary stay in a Naples hotel. Furthermore, an additional $1,200 in flight vouchers would enable her to capture photos in new locales.
“I could either have an incredible trip or travel throughout the year,” Berry remarked. “This could be a phenomenal opportunity for my career.”
Berry decided to continue her volunteer work and stay on without returning to Philadelphia until a seat became available on the airline. She humorously dubbed her situation “Camp American Airlines” and shared her story on TikTok on August 6, rapidly gaining a supportive audience who cheered her on to accumulate over $10,000 in flight vouchers.
Over three nights, Berry’s accommodations varied as she stayed in different hotels around Naples. American Airlines arranged her stays in four-star hotels that differed in quality and location, some situated in the bustling city center and others on the fringes.
Among these, the Grand Hotel Vanvitelli stood out as the most opulent. According to TripAdvisor, the rates for a room ranged from $122 to $138 per night. The hotel featured a swimming pool, a sophisticated restaurant, and rooms with balconies.
“Definitely the nicest hotel I stayed in during my trip,” Berry remarked.
Berry mentioned that at each hotel she stayed at while awaiting her flight, she was able to charge her meals to her room, enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner without additional costs.
Her compensation through free hotel stays, meals, and flight vouchers concluded on August 7, three days following her initial bumped flight. BI confirmed that Berry accumulated $3,550 in flight vouchers, although one of the vouchers was valued at $1,150, slightly less than the expected $1,200.
Day 4 of Camp American Airlines! Will i reach $4800 in travel vouchers today? #americanairlines #traveltips #airportlife #travellife #hotellife
An American Airlines spokesperson stated to BI, “When you volunteer to give up your confirmed seat on a flight, we will compensate you in a form and in an amount we think is fair.”
The flight vouchers expire within a year, but Berry isn’t concerned about jet-setting off to new destinations. Photographing in places like Rio de Janeiro and the Seychelles Islands is at the top of her list.
With a challenging start to the year, Berry said that this summer in Italy, along with a new travel fund and the memories from this experience, has left her “grateful.”
“It makes me feel like me again,” she said. “I feel like I’m engaging with community. I’m saying yes to unknown things, and that’s what makes me tick.”
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