You've paid
for your ticket, arrived at the airport, and now it's time to board. But
instead of buckling up, you're told there are no seats left on the plane.
What are
your rights when this happens? What are you owed?
First, the
bad news. Turns out, it's perfectly legal for airlines to bump you, and
oversell their flights, banking on people to miss them.
But the
good news is, in most non-weather related cases, you're eligible for
considerable compensation. Here's what you need to know:
If you have
a confirmed reservation and checked in on time for a domestic
flight, and the airline can't get you to your
destination within an hour of your original time, you're entitled to 200% of a
one-way fare for a maximum payout of $775. If the wait is over two hours,
you'll get 400% or $1,550 whichever is less. The
airline has to
give you cash - not vouchers.
Payouts for
most international flights are slightly different. You'll get 200% of a one-way
fare for a one to four-hour delay, and 400% for delays over four hours.
As for tips
on how to avoid getting bumped in the first place?
- Make sure
you have a seat assignment. And if one isn't available, when you book your
ticket, call a few days before the flight and see what's opened up.
- Be sure
to check in early - at least an hour before the flight - and get to the gate on
time.
- Download your
airline’s app to your phone.