Jaunted

The gimmick was simple: I wasn't hard-pressed to be on the specific flight I booked. Building a time cushion into your travel schedule allows you to reap the rewards of getting bumped off to a later flight. (Planning something for the hour immediately after you are scheduled to touchdown isn't a very good idea anyway.) I snagged my free ticket by keeping an eye out for the euphemism "seeking volunteers" at my gate.

The second the v-word comes up on the board, head to the counter at the gate and see what they're greasing the wheels with. In addition to the ticket, I managed to change destination airports (from Myrtle Beach, SC to Raleigh, NC), which put me closer to the wedding I was attending. It wouldn't have been out of line to ask for food and drink vouchers or access to the club room.

The key is to be polite and understanding but ever-so-slightly inconvenienced by their screwup. (That's why you need all the free schwag you're asking for, see?) Once you've made your deal, just wander the terminal until your new flight, musing your future on-the-house travel plans.

Related Links:
· Travel Tips: How To Take The Bump and Like It [Jaunted]