WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE BUMPED FROM A FLIGHT

A number of years ago, as we were seated on a plane with several other couples from the same company en route to a business conference, one woman was told she had to give up the seat she was sitting in because the flight was oversold. Her husband had to continue without her, as he was expected at meetings.

We were all shocked that this could happen, because she, supposedly, had a confirmed reservation on that flight. Since this occurred before September 11, 2001, it was not a security issue. Fortunately, she was put on another plane that arrived a couple of hours after her husband’s.

What were her legal rights when she was unexpectedly bumped from her flight at the last minute? As part of the present Airline Passenger Protections mandate, she should not have had to give up her seat unless the airline had made an effort to persuade other passengers to take a later flight by offering them confirmed seats, plus vouchers toward future tickets, and cash for meals.

If a flight still remains oversold after all willing passengers have given up their seats, the airline must pay 200 percent of the one-way fare to the destination up to $650, providing they can get you there within two hours of your scheduled arrival time. If it can get you there within one hour of the scheduled arrival time, there is no compensation.

A bumped passenger, who arrives more than 2 hours late at her destination, is owed 400 percent of the one-way fare up to $1300.

In some cases, the oversold airline may choose to transfer the booking to another carrier with seats available, but this is at no charge to the passenger.

The U.S. Department of Transportation lists your air travel rights, including involuntary denied boarding.

Have you ever been bumped from a flight or chosen to accept the airline’s offers to change flights? How were you compensated?