The man who was removed from the United Airliens flight last week could certainly have done well to read this article before his forced fall from grace.

Laura Begley Bloom, a former travel editor, used to think passengers who gave up their seat for a travel voucher were a bit silly. But last week, after epic storm delays led Delta Airlines to ask its passengers for volunteers to give up their tickets, Ms Begley Bloom took a shot at a deal.

After wrangling with the airline, she accepted US$4050 for giving up her family's tickets. The airline also offered them a complimentary hotel and meal, but they declined. Then the next day, the flight was delayed again and she cashed in to the tune of US$1300 for each member of her family. Then the next day, they were asked if they'd cancel their trip altogether – and be handsomely compensated. All up, she made over US$11,000 in one weekend. That's just under A$15,000.

Read the full story at news.com.au

Have you ever been offered compensation to voluntarily give up your tickets? How did you fare?