Whats worse than winding security lines, congested airports, and three-hour delays?
Finding outafter all of thisthat youstillcant board your flight because youve been bumped.
In airline lingo, being bumped is code for this flight is overbooked and we need to move somebodynow.
Still, it happens and some airlines are worse than others.
AsTPGwrites, American Airlines bumped just over 1,500 passengers between October and December 2018.
Meanwhile, Delta bumped zero.
How does this even happen?
Well, its worth discussing the difference between involuntary bumping andvoluntarybumping.
Ever hear airline attendants at the gate asking for passengers to take cash in exchange for a later flight?
Thats considered voluntary bumping because passengers are choosing to take the money.
Those passengers who check in last are actuallymorelikely to be denied boarding.
Ask for cash if youre bumped
So youve been bumped!
You must also be refunded for additional services like checking a bag or selecting your seat.
(JetBlue, on the other hand, has anextensive bill of rightsfor its passengers.
Theyll compensate you up to $1,350 for being bumped.)
So get whatever you’re free to out of the airline if youve been bumped.
Flyings tough as it is, but a little extra cash can make it easier.
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