Bumped or denied boarding: what to do

Have this ready

• boarding pass
• written statement from the airline of the reason
• arrival time on the new flight

Steps for any company

1. Ask for the written statement of your rights that the airline must give you.

2. Ask for compensation in cash or check, not only a voucher.

A company playbook below replaces these generic steps with the company’s own forms, phone numbers and deadlines.

Company playbooks (8)

• Alaska AirlinesIf bumped involuntarily, ask for the written notice and compensation under Rule 8.
• Allegiant AirIf bumped involuntarily, ask for the written notice and compensation under Contract of Carriage Art. 105.
• American AirlinesIf bumped involuntarily on a domestic flight, American pays 200% or 400% of the one-way fare, capped at $1,075 or $2,150.
• Delta Air LinesIf bumped involuntarily, ask for the written notice and compensation by check, as set in Contract of Carriage Rule 20.
• Frontier AirlinesVolunteers get a Frontier travel voucher; if bumped involuntarily, ask for the written notice and compensation.
• JetBlue AirwaysIf bumped involuntarily, JetBlue's Customer Bill of Rights pays up to $2,150.
• Southwest AirlinesIf bumped involuntarily, compensation is paid on the spot under Contract of Carriage section 9.c.
• United AirlinesIf bumped involuntarily on a domestic flight, Rule 25 pays 200% or 400% of the fare, capped at $1,075 or $2,150.

Guides

• Airlines — how complaints work