React if You Get Bumped from a Flight

Although getting bumped from a flight is less common today than it was in previous years, it still happens.[1] If you are involuntarily bumped from a flight, remember to remain calm and ask for a written statement of your rights. Then proceed to re-book and confirm your new flight with the gate agent. If you qualify for compensation, ask for cash or a check as opposed to a voucher or a free ticket. In the future, you can avoid getting bumped from a flight by traveling during down times and seasons and by checking-in early.

Steps

Responding

  1. Remain calm. Fighting and/or arguing with the airline's flight attendants and employees will not improve your situation, especially if you are on the plane. If you start to become frustrated, take a few deep breaths and visualize something calming like the ocean or a waterfall. Once you are calm, proceed to the gate agent and discuss your concerns there.[2]
    • Remember that airlines reserve the right to bump you off a flight.
  2. Offer to pay someone. Do this if you are desperate to get to your destination on time. Announce to the other passengers that you will offer them compensation for their plane ticket. Keep in mind that you must have a significant amount of cash on-hand for this to work.[1]
    • For example, you can offer passengers double or triple the amount they paid for their one-way ticket.
  3. Ask for a written statement of your rights. As a passenger you are entitled to this. The written statement should outline the airline’s overbooking policy, the reasons for why you were bumped, and the types of compensation you are entitled to.[3]
    • Airlines use check-in time, booking class, and the amount paid for the ticket when deciding who to bump.

Re-Booking Your Flight

  1. Speak with the gate agent. The gate agent is usually the person who will re-book your flight and offer you compensation if you qualify for it. You may also be redirected to a customer service counter to receive your compensation and to re-book your flight.[1]
    • You can also call the airline’s 1-800 number. However, be aware that it may take awhile for you to re-book your flight and receive compensation if you do this.
  2. Confirm your flight. This is usually done automatically when your flight is re-booked. However, make sure to confirm the new flight with the gate agent. Also make sure your itinerary is updated if you are taking a later flight.[4]
    • If there is another seat on a similar flight, make sure it is a confirmed seat as opposed to a standby seat. If it is a standby seat, you may end up stranded.
    • Inquire about how your checked-in luggage will be handled or transferred.
  3. Ask for a check or cash reimbursement. If you qualify for compensation, make sure to ask for it in the form of a check or cash as opposed to a voucher or a free flight. While it may be tempting to accept vouchers and free flights, they are often subjected to restrictions and limitations.[2]
    • The amount of compensation you receive depends on the length of the delay, the amount you paid for the ticket, and the person that makes the alternative travel arrangements.
    • Be aware that being bumped due to safety-related balance or weight concerns, or because the airline switched to a smaller plane, will disqualify you from compensation.
  4. Ask for food, hotel, and transportation vouchers. Passengers who have a long layover or who have to spend the night due to a flight change are entitled to hotel and transportation vouchers. Even if you will only be stuck at the airport for a few hours, make sure to ask what type of vouchers you qualify for like food vouchers.[4]

Preventing Being Bumped

  1. Avoid peak travel seasons and days. Passengers flying during peak seasons, like Christmas and Thanksgiving, are more likely to get bumped than passengers who travel during down seasons. Because more people travel on the weekend, avoid traveling on these days to reduce your chance of being bumped from a flight.[1]
    • Passengers flying early in the morning are less likely to get bumped as well.
  2. Arrive and check-in early. Passengers with late check-in times are usually the ones to get bumped first. Therefore, arrive at the airport early so you can check-in before the deadline. Make sure to call and ask the airline what constitutes check-in.[1]
    • Today, some airlines allow you to check-in in advance online. If this is possible, make sure to do this to avoid getting bumped because of a late check-in time.
  3. Find an airline you like and stick with them. If an airline has treated you well over the years and you have never been bumped involuntarily, then it is unlikely to happen in the future. Plus, passengers who are frequent customers of an airline are less likely to be bumped from a flight.[1]
    • You can even sign up for the airline’s frequent flyer program to save some money on future flights.

Tips

  • Be aware of airlines that do not offer assigned seating. These airlines are more likely to bump passengers.

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/9698364/what-to-do-when-you-re-bumped-from-flight/#
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/12/heres-what-youre-entitled-to-if-youre-involuntarily-bumped-from-a-flight.html
  3. ↑ http://www.businessinsider.com/what-youre-entitled-to-if-you-get-bumped-off-a-flight-2015-6
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/What-to-do-if-you-get-bumped-by-an-airline.html
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