Being bumped from flights can be infuriating! |
All that running, just to be bumped? Q: A couple of friends are really ticked off about being involuntarily bumped from a flight. Their taxi was caught in traffic and they got to the loading gate five minutes before the flight. The airline had already given their seats to stand-by passengers, but found them a later flight, and they missed connecting flights. They complained, but got no explanation nor offer to pay for their delays. What did they do wrong? Sometimes, if the flight isn’t full or there is a delay at the check-in deadline, the agent will probably allow you to board. However, if you’re late and miss the deadline and your seat is given to a stand-by passenger on an oversold flight, you have no rights of recompensation. If the bumping wasn’t your fault, and the airline puts you on another aircraft that gets you to your destination within two hours on domestic flights or four hours on international flights, you may qualify to be paid. You can get an amount equal to a one-way fare, with a maximum of $200. If it takes longer, you may get a maximum of $400. Summary: If your friends met the required arrival time and complied in every way with airline rules, and were bumped involuntarily, they may try to seek compensation. Of course, a late taxi is not usually a good excuse. However, they may write or have their travel agent write to the airline and explain the situation clearly. |