How do I get overbooking compensation?

You can claim compensation directly at the airport, but it's rare that airlines pay the compensation immediately. It's usually best to wait until you've reached your destination and the trip is over to claim both the overbooking compensation and the refund of your additional expenses.



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When you are involuntarily bumped from a flight, you can get cash (a check or credit on your credit card) from airlines. Overbooking is not illegal, and most airlines overbook their scheduled flights to a certain extent to compensate for “no-shows.” Passengers are sometimes left behind or “bumped” from a flight.

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Sometimes, when an airline asks for volunteers to give up their seats and fly on a different flight, there are not enough volunteers. When this occurs, the airline will select passengers to give up their seats. This is called “involuntary denied boarding” or “bumping.”

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Once you are at the gate, which you might want to reach an hour before the departure time, inform the agents at hand that you are willing to accept a bump if required. However, in exchange, ensure you have a confirmed (not standby) flight as the minimum return for your cooperation.

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Tweeting at the airline's customer service team, submitting a request for compensation online or writing a letter the old fashioned way are other options that have met with success…

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The airline is required to compensate you for a canceled flight if you were notified less than 14 days before your original scheduled departure date. However, compensation is not required if the airline proves that extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather) caused the cancellation.

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For Domestic Flights, the law requires the airline to pay you Denied Boarding Compensation of: 200% of the value of the one-way fare to your destination (up to a maximum of $775.00) if the delay is more than 1 hour but less than 2 hours; or.

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If your flight is overbooked you can choose between an alternative transport or you can opt not to fly at all and to receive a refund for the price of your ticket.

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The most important thing to do to avoid getting bumped from a flight is to arrive and check in early. Airlines will usually begin the process of overbooking flights once all passengers have checked in. By checking in early, you'll be less likely to be bumped if the flight is overbooked.

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It's 400% for over four hour arrival delays with the same $1,550 limit. These are the amounts airlines must pay by law. They can pay more if they choose to. Airlines must offer the compensation at the airport on the same day.

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Passengers are also entitled to compensation if they are delayed on the ground upon arrival, with a $50 credit for a delay of one to two hours, a $125 credit for a delay of two to three hours and a $200 credit for a delay of three hours or more.

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Here's a look at American carriers, starting with the worst for overbooking and descending to the best:
  • Spirit Airlines — 78 IDBs per million passengers.
  • Frontier Airlines — 55.
  • Southwest Airlines — 41.
  • Alaska Airlines — 28.
  • American Airlines — 24.
  • United Airlines — 13.
  • Delta Air Lines — 3.
  • JetBlue Airways — 2.


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In the event an airline refuses to acknowledge your claim, you need to seek legal advice or file a complaint with the airport's authority. However, you need to understand the reasons for the denial of the claim. Sometimes the extraordinary circumstances are legitimate.

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So if your flight is delayed by 2 hours, there is no compensation. However, you can make a different claim. For example, if your flight is delayed by two hours or more, your airline must take care of you by offering you support services. These can be very different.

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For the most part, it's up to individual airlines to decide how to compensate their passengers after a delay. “There's no specific policy on compensations, said Shaiy Howard, president and CEO of Travel by Shaiy, a travel agency based in South Florida. Just keep in mind that all airlines vary.

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You need to include each passenger's name, your flight details, the scheduled departure and arrival times, the length of the delay, and your bank account info for reimbursement. You should also be very clear about the amount you expect to receive and give the airline a specific timeframe in which to respond.

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If you are entitled to compensation, our flight compensation checker is able to let you know exactly how much you're owed from the airline. With our flight delay and cancellation compensation calculator, you don't have to deal with a flight disruption on your own.

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When an overbooking occurs, airlines will attempt to negotiate with passengers to voluntarily give up their seats. Please note that if you have decided to voluntarily give up your seat, you will not be entitled to claim the compensation set out in Regulation EC 261/2004.

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For domestic flights in the U.S., airlines have to pay you 200% of the value of your one-way ticket up to $775 if you arrive at your destination one to two hours past your originally scheduled itinerary or 400% of the one-way ticket price, up to $1,550 if your arrival delay is longer than two hours.

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