ASTA's Guide to Airline Bumping: What You Need to Know

One of the busiest times of the year for air travel - summer - is also a time when many airline passengers may risk being bumped from their flights. For many, the prospect of being bumped is frustrating at best, and for those who are unaware of their rights, the results can be maddening, not to mention costly. Add to that ever-changing, stricter security rules and new passport requirements and travel can seem daunting. With this in mind, ASTA has prepared a list of tips to help summer travelers stay calm, cool and collected.

What You Need to Know to Avoid Being Bumped

- Get an advance seat assignment. Passengers with seat assignments are typically only bumped if they arrive late and their seat assignment is released.

- Check-in online. If you do not have an advance seat assignment, or you want to change your seat assignment, check-in online. Most airlines allow you to do so within 24 hours of departure. Seat assignments that were not available at the time of ticketing may be available when checking in online.

- Don’t be late. If all else fails, get to the airport early. Some airlines reserve a portion of their seat assignment inventory for airport check-in. If you are denied a seat assignment at check-in, put your name on the standby seat assignment list asap.

If you are bumped or wish to take advantage of the airline’s request that you give up your seat:

- Know the lingo. Voluntary bumping occurs when a passenger with a confirmed seat assignment agrees to give up his seat for negotiated compensation. It is not regulated by the DOT. Involuntary bumping occurs when an airline forcibly bumps a paid passenger from a flight because it has been oversold. The DOT regulates compensation for involuntary bumping.

- Know what questions to ask. If you volunteer to give up your seat in response to an airline offer of a free ticket, it is important passengers ask about restrictions. Ask about expiration and blackout dates, such as holidays.

- Know your rights. If you are involuntarily denied boarding, and substitute transportation is scheduled to arrive at your destination between one and two hours after your original arrival time (between one and four hours on international flights), the airline must pay an amount equal to your one-way fare to your final destination, with a $200 maximum. If the substitute transportation is scheduled to get you to your destination more than two hours later (four hours internationally), or if the airline does not make any substitute travel arrangements for you, the compensation doubles (twice the cost of your fare, $400 maximum). The amounts and liability may differ depending on the airline, country where the ticket was purchased, and departing airport. 

Finally check all the latest new security regulations in the country of arrival and departure. There are now many, very strict restrictions on what can be carried on-board an aircraft and in what quantity, see: International Baggage Restrictions.

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