Cape Town – How I won an extra day holiday

At the beginning I am pissed off.
« No, this is not happening! It cannot be true ».

The lady at the check-in counter is announcing me the flight is overbooked and as I did not do the check-in on line, there is no seat for me.

I have just accepted to bribe the porter to skip the line, for 50 USD ( it looks like current practice in South Africa and current fare).

« We are looking for volunteers wanting to stay a day longer in Cape Town, would you agree, Miss? »

« No, I don’t agree, I’m sorry. I booked this ticket months ago and it was to leave today, not tomorrow. It’s up to me to decide when I want to leave not up to you. I paid an expensive ticket to leave on the 7th of January, not on the 8th of January . This is unacceptable. I need to be in the office. Who is going to explain that to my boss? You?».

« I’m sorry, Miss, as I explained you, there are no seats on the plane ».

All of the sudden a third party joins the conversation.

But it’s happening in my head.

« Elena, are you stupid or what? »
« What do you mean? »
« You are offered an extra day in Cape Town for free. There is plenty of stuff you didn’t do! Why are you being such a jerk? ».

Suddenly, I cool down. That inner voice is right.
It’s like somebody wants to give me a gift and I don’t want to accept it.
It’s not polite.

I start seeing things under a different light.

« Excuse me, Madam, can you explain me what happens if I cannot fly today? »
« You will be accommodated at the Southern Sun Waterfront. It is a five star hotel down town. We will take care of your transportation from and to the airport. You will receive meals vouchers and a financial compensation, you can choose between 250 USD and 350 USD . The hotel has free transportation to the Waterfront».

Guys, that’s better than a kick in your ass, and by far.
Why the hell was I fighting not to get all of this? Am I idiot or what?

« Which is the difference? » I focus on the reimbursement.
« You get 250 USD reimbursed on your bank account. Or 350 USD in voucher to spend with your next flight with Qatar Airways ».
« I go for the 250 USD, thanks ».

« Ok. Thank you. Please, come later after we close the check-in and we we deal with all of this ».

I go to sit down with my 50 kg luggages and wait for a good while. I go back to the counter after an hour and a half. I need to go to the toilet, but with two suitcases and a backpack it’s impossible (that’s why I bribed the guy, to get rid of the luggages as soon as possible).
Finally we gather at the counter, the lucky people that won an extra day in Cape Town.
We register, fill in the forms, sign the paper for denied boarding and the reimbursement and head to the parking place, where the driver is waiting to bring us to the Southern Sun Waterfront.

I wonder where should I go and what should I do.

https://www.southernsun.com/southern-sun-waterfront-cape-town