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Guess a Delta voucher number, get a free flight?

September 7, 2007

Are clever passengers picking random numbers to redeem flight vouchers through Delta Air Lines’ Web site? That’s the contention of one traveler who is stuck in a redemption nightmare from which their appears to be no easy way out.

Jason Plott is a Delta frequent flier who was recently issued $400 in vouchers for being bumped from a flight. But when he went to the airline’s site yesterday to cash in his credits, he found only $6 left. What had happened?

“They told me that Kalina Sanders had used them for a flight,” he said.

Kalina who?

“I have no clue who she is,” he says.

A Delta representative also read two other names of passengers he didn’t recognize. “I think they were guessing voucher numbers to get free flights,” he says. He spent an hour on the phone, with no resolution.

Eventually, Plott received a call from Delta saying he would have to wait 7 to 10 days for a fix, which he’s unhappy about. “Not a very professional way to handle this,” he adds.

The ability to redeem vouchers online is relatively new to Delta. Some airlines still don’t permit it, and there’s a reason: Allowing vouchers to be cashed in online increases redemption rates. Carriers need to keep their redemption rates well under 10 percent in order to continue indiscriminately throwing them at passengers whenever they overbook a flight.

Plott may have either stumbled on a hiccup in Delta’s system that somehow switches names and voucher numbers — in other words, an innocent mistake — or worse, passengers have figured out a way of fraudulently guessing and redeeming voucher numbers.

I contacted Delta’s public relations department yesterday to get a comment on the voucher-guessing problem. It has not responded. If it does, I will post an update.

What should you do? If you have a Delta voucher, redeem it now. Before someone else does.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

2 comments

  • Charlie

    Scammers have been guessing “secret” codes at online stores like Staples for a long time. Staples previously distributed many 5-digit codes as a way to target their marketing efforts, but savvy folks discovered that anyone could use them, sharing them with friends, family and complete strangers via the internet. Then they discovered that previously unknown codes could be uncovered by testing random or sequential numbers. Staples had to change their approach to counteract this, though it is still not eliminated in total. Though it takes time, the same approach could be used to uncover valid Delta voucher numbers. However, at least if the fraud is discovered, Delta can track the person(s) who holds the illegitimate tickets, while the legitimate holder of the voucher can get the benefit from the airline.

  • Flyer

    I think this is one of those cases that’s hard to prove.. while not ‘throwing rocks’ at Plott’s situation– we must also realize that is IS possible that the numbers were in fact used by him and/or with his consent and is now trying to double credit.

    Again, I think the odds are small as most people are upfront and honest, but I do think that it cannot be assumed the passenger misuse is not a possible factor.

    I’d say if he’s willing to make a signed Affidavit to the effect he’s not used them with or without permission, then I’d be OK with re-issuing them.. this way– should it come out later that they were misused, the airline would have/could have legal recourse for this misuse.

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