If you are "bumped" from a flight due to overbooking, the compensation you receive depends on whether the move was voluntary or involuntary. If you voluntarily give up your seat in exchange for a later flight, the airline will offer you a voucher or credit, the amount of which is negotiated on the spot; in this case, you generally do not get a cash refund for the original ticket. However, if you are involuntarily bumped (denied boarding against your will), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and EU 261/2004 regulations provide for significant cash compensation. In the U.S., if the airline cannot get you to your destination within 1-2 hours of your original time, they must pay you 200% of your one-way fare (up to $775); if it is over 2 hours, they must pay 400% (up to $1,550). This payment must be made in a form you can actually spend (like a check or cash), not just a flight voucher. Additionally, the airline is still required to get you to your destination on a later flight. For your travel database, knowing these legal rights is crucial for passengers to ensure they aren't taken advantage of during "overbooked" situations at the airport.