Donald Lofton said he didn't want to call KIRO 7 for help.

"It's the principal that bothers me," said Lofton.

But he that felt telling his story was his last option.

"I feel like I'm trying to share that with anyone who can help eliminate this kind of abuse. It's just not right," said Lofton.

A year ago, on August 25, 2007, the Lakewood man was flying home to Sea-Tac Airport from a trip to South Carolina.

In Atlanta, he was to switch planes and fly to Phoenix, but because the flight out of Georgia was full, U.S. Airways asked some passengers to wait for another flight.

"They asked for volunteers to accept bumping, due to overbooking, and I accepted that," said Lofton.

In exchange, Lofton was given a voucher good for a roundtrip anywhere in the continental United States.

Since he wasn't in a hurry that day, and makes the trip often, he thought it was a fair trade, especially since he's been bumped before.

"How many times have you accepted a bump?" asked KIRO 7 consumer investigator Amy Clancy.

"Oh, probably six," said Lofton. "They've always honored it, and they've always had good relations for it."

But not this time.

Lofton says he knew he had one year in which to book his free flight.

So, weeks before the voucher was to expire, he tried online and over the phone to make travel arrangements for a flight in October.

"The lady was most helpful, but she couldn't find any empty seats for a coupon," said Lofton.

So Lofton tried to book a flight for spring of 2009.

"The same thing there; no seats available," said Lofton.

"And so you're trying to book for next March or April?" asked Clancy.

"Yes," said Lofton.

"We're talking eight months away?" asked Clancy.

"Eight or nine," said Lofton.

Lofton even drove to Sea-Tac Airport to try and make arrangements in person, with no luck.

"I was allowing five or six days on either said of when I wanted to travel, going or coming back," said Lofton.

"So you weren't being picky about time?" asked Clancy.

"No. No, I just wanted to use the coupon. It's worth almost $500," said Lofton.

With time running out in his one-year window, Lofton says he spoke with a U.S. Air supervisor.

"She's the one that then suggested I might try 14 days prior to my desired flight time," said Lofton.

"What did you think about that?" asked Clancy.

"I said, 'Lady, if I can't get one in six to nine months, I'm not going to get one in 14 days.' Of course, I said it a little differently than that," said Lofton.

So, Lofton gave up.

After filing a complaint with the state Attorney General's office, he booked a flight on Delta and paid the full amount.

"It's because of the money crunch. They'd rather lose customers than money. And as far as I'm concerned, they have," said Lofton.

Lofton told Clancy that after decades of being a loyal customer, he'll no long fly U.S. Air, but the same day Clancy contacted the airline to see what it had to say about the situation, U.S. Air was able to find Lofton a free seat.

U.S. Air explained in an email that vouchers have limited seating availability, which is standard practice in the airline industry, and that the rules are clearly explained on the coupon.

If a customer cannot find any availability there is another option: The coupon can be used for a $200 discount off the lowest published fare.

Lofton's faith in U.S. Air has been restored, thanks to his free flight, but he doesn't think it should be so difficult to collect on what he calls a contract.

"The consumer is being abused. It's a shame. It's a dreadful shame," said Lofton.

The Department of Transportation, which oversees the Aviation Consumer Protection Division, told Clancy it doesn't receive a lot of complaints like this.

But, because of the rising cost of fuel, many air carriers have cut back on flights, which means the DOT expects all seats will be harder to book these days.

It's advice for consumers. Book as far in advance as you can, and be flexible on which days you're willing to travel, not that it did much good for Don Lofton.

If you have a complaint about air travel, it's a matter you must take up at the federal level.

The Washington State Attorney General's Office forwarded Lofton's complaint to the Aviation Consumer Protection Division of the DOT.