Mamma mia!
A Philadelphia woman having the time of her life in Naples, Italy was able to extend the dream trip for free thanks to airline overbookings.
Susan Berry, a 36-year-old photographer, was told that American Airlines not only oversold on her planned August 4 return flight but had done so on the route for two the next weeks.
So, day by day, AA needed volunteers to stay behind in Italy on the company’s dime.
“Before the manager could even finish his sentence, I’m like, ‘Me! Me! Me! Can I do it please?’” she told Business Insider of her daily returns to the airport in hopes of pushing the trip more and more.
Berry’s complimentary extended vacation included several thousand dollars in four-star hotels — including the lavish Grand Hotel Vanvitelli — private cars, swanky meals with Italian wine, and complimentary flight vouchers.
She also bonded with seven other bumped flyers and, after sharing the special moment on TikTok, referred to the experience as “Camp American Airlines.”
The internet very soon after encouraged her to, as she captioned a video, “just milk this situation” for all it was worth.
Although Berry told Good Morning America she was “mentally prepared to stay for two weeks,” her trip was ultimately extended an extra three nights.
In total, she racked up $3,550 in flight vouchers on top of the comped stay, meals, and local transit.
Berry’s goal was to hit $10,000 in free flying.
Still, “I’m happy, I’ve got some good travel in front of me,” she said on the plane.