Susan Berry, a 36-year-old freelance fashion photographer from Philadelphia, recently shared an extraordinary travel experience on TikTok that has captured the attention of social media users everywhere. Berry’s story begins with her return journey from a two-month work stint in Italy, which turned into an unexpected adventure thanks to American Airlines’ overbooking.
Berry’s saga unfolded on August 8, 2024, when she arrived at Naples International Airport for her flight back to Philadelphia. The flight, American Airlines flight 2905, was overbooked, prompting the airline to seek volunteers willing to give up their seats in exchange for compensation. The offer was too good for Berry to pass up: $1,200 in travel vouchers, a stay at a four-star hotel, and all meals covered.
Without hesitation, Berry volunteered, seeing this as an opportunity to extend her Italian holiday. “I showed up to the airport, and the manager at American Airlines was like, ‘Hey, we’re overbooked [and] looking for volunteers to stay. You get $1,200 in vouchers, a four-star hotel, all meals,’ and before he could even finish his sentence, I was like, ‘Me, I’ll do it,’” Berry recounted. Her eagerness was rewarded with a luxurious stay, as she and eight other passengers were shuttled to a hotel outside Naples.
Berry’s experience at the hotel was far from the typical ordeal one might expect from an overbooked flight. She described the accommodations as superior to her previous lodgings and enjoyed a sumptuous three-course dinner. Her TikTok videos documenting the situation, which have amassed over 1.4 million views, humorously dubbed the experience “Camp American Airlines,” likening it to a vacation at a day camp with fellow stranded passengers.
The following day, Berry and her group returned to the airport, only to encounter the same overbooking issue. The airline again offered $1,200 in vouchers for another night’s stay. At this point, Berry began to see the potential for maximizing her travel credits. “I started thinking about… I could do this forever — a few days and rack up some good vouchers,” she said. Social media users were quick to weigh in, with many encouraging Berry to continue extending her stay for more travel vouchers. Comments ranged from admiration of her savvy travel strategy to concerns about voucher expiration and the value of cash versus credit.
American Airlines’ compensation policy, as outlined in their “Conditions of Carriage,” allows the airline to determine compensation for voluntary seat relinquishment at their discretion. This flexibility often leads to substantial compensation for passengers willing to give up their seats, as Berry discovered.
Berry’s saga continued with a third night at the hotel, for which she received an additional $1,150 in vouchers. However, her streak came to an end on the fourth day, as American Airlines seemingly caught wind of her viral TikTok videos. “To be honest, I’m pretty sure American Airlines caught wind of what I was up to because of the whole TikTok thing,” she reflected.
In total, Berry accumulated $3,550 in travel credits by the end of her extended stay. Despite the initial frustration of missing her flight, she expressed no regrets. “I would totally do it again,” Berry affirmed, noting that her flexibility allowed her to help someone who needed to return home urgently.
Berry’s story highlights an intriguing aspect of air travel: the potential benefits of volunteering in the face of overbooked flights. Her adventure not only earned her substantial travel credits but also brought a unique and entertaining story to her TikTok followers. For travelers facing similar situations, Berry’s experience serves as both a cautionary tale and an example of how turning an inconvenience into an opportunity can lead to unexpected rewards.
