Denied boarding compensation rights: how to claim

Have you been ‘bumped off’ your flight recently? This is the common way of naming the situation when a passenger is denied boarding their flight, even though they had:

• A confirmed booking.

• All the required travel documents.

• Were at the gate on time.

• Did not pose any health or safety concerns to themselves or other passengers.

What rights and compensation do you need to be aware of in these situations? We’ll explain everything you need to know.

Involuntary: if you fulfilled all the requirements mentioned previously, and were not permitted to board the flight, this constitutes involuntary denied boarding.

Voluntary: in some cases, the airlines will ask for volunteers to ‘give up their’ seats in exchange for vouchers or other benefits. In these cases, you are not eligible to claim compensation under EC 261 regulation.

Why Do Airlines Deny Boarding?

When extraordinary circumstances are at hand, the airlines will not let passengers board for their own safety. This can be due to extreme weather, safety threats, natural disasters or air traffic control strikes.

1. Do not volunteer to give up your seat in exchange for vouchers or perks.

   If you do, you could be giving up your right to any additional compensation. Of course, if the airline makes a compelling enough offer, you may prefer to take it. The final decision is up to you.

2. Hold onto your boarding pass and any other travel documents.

   If you don’t have your boarding pass, you can use any flight document with a booking reference number. This number is assigned to your flight reservation by the airline and is a six-digit code, which may include both letters and numbers.

3. Ask why you’re being denied boarding.

   The most common reason is being “bumped” due to an overbooked flight, but there are other reasons you may be denied boarding, as well. This information is important down the line if you decide to file a claim.

4. Request an alternate flight to your destination.

   Or, if you prefer, you can request a refund of your fare and a return flight to your original point of departure, if necessary.

5. Request compensation for your boarding denial.

   Provided you’re eligible, the airline should pay you immediately once you’ve been denied boarding for your flight. That’s in addition to offering you the re-routing or refund mentioned above.

6. Ask the airline to cover your meals and refreshments.

   If you are forced to wait at the airport longer than planned, the airline is supposed to provide food and drinks to keep you comfortable. It’s not just good hospitality, in some cases it’s a requirement.

7. Get the airline to provide you with a hotel room.

   If you’re being grounded overnight while waiting for an alternate flight to your destination, the airline should cover any reasonable costs for accommodations as well as transportation to and from the airport, if necessary.

8. Keep your receipts if your boarding denial ends up costing you extra money.

   Whether it’s missing out on a pre-paid reservation, hotel, rental car, or other unexpected costs, passengers on international flights—even within the EU—may be able to recover expenses caused by travel disruptions.

9. See if your boarding denial is eligible for compensation.

If travelers on US domestic flights are “bumped” due to an overbooked flight, they may be entitled to compensation. Here’s what to do if it happens to you:

1. Do not volunteer to give up your seat in exchange for vouchers or perks.

   If you do, you could be giving up your right to any additional compensation. Of course, if the airline makes a compelling enough offer, you may prefer to take it. The final decision is up to you.

2. Hold onto your boarding pass and any other travel documents.

   If you don’t have your boarding pass, you can use any flight document with a booking reference number. This number is assigned to your flight reservation by the airline and is a six-digit code, which may include both letters and numbers.

3. Ask why you’re being denied boarding.

   The most common reason is being “bumped” due to an overbooked flight, which the airline should compensate you for. But there are other reasons you may be denied boarding which is not covered.

4. Request an alternate flight to your destination.

5. Request compensation for your boarding denial.

   Provided you’re eligible, the airline should pay you, in addition to offering you re-routing on an alternate flight.

6. See if your boarding denial is eligible for compensation.

   Want to know more? Explore all the details about boarding denials on US flights and learn even more about your air passenger rights.

Passengers on international flights can claim reimbursement for expenses due to boarding denials if they follow a few simple steps:

1. Do not volunteer to give up your seat in exchange for vouchers or perks.

   If you do, you could be giving up your right to any additional compensation (such as reimbursement for your expenses). Of course, if the airline makes a compelling enough offer, you may prefer to take it. The final decision is up to you.

2. Hold onto your boarding pass and any other travel documents.

   If you don’t have your boarding pass, you can use any flight document with a booking reference number. This number is assigned to your flight reservation by the airline and is a six-digit code, which may include both letters and numbers.

3. Ask why you’re being denied boarding.

   The most common reason is being “bumped” due to an overbooked flight, but there are other reasons you may be denied boarding, as well. This information is important for deciding if the airline is at fault if you decide to file a claim.

4. Request an alternate flight to your destination.

5. Keep your receipts if your boarding denial ends up costing you extra money.
   Whether it’s missing out on a pre-paid reservation, hotel, rental car, or other unexpected costs, you may be able to recover expenses caused by your flight disruption. That paper trail will help lead you to your compensation.

Want to know more? Explore all the details about boarding denials on international flights and learn even more about your air passenger rights.

Airlines will try to entice you away from your compensation rights by offering you vouchers or other gifts. If you want to make the most of your legal rights, it’s important not to accept these deals.

With AirHelp in your corner, our team of over 400 experts in air passenger rights, laws and regulations will do everything to help your claim. Since 2013, we’ve helped millions of passengers all over the world because we believe everyone deserves the best and smoothest travels possible.

We believe in complete transparency, which is why we only get paid if you do. Enjoy your peace of mind while our travel law experts uphold your rights and keep you updated throughout the process.

1. Firstly, you can check whether you are eligible for flight compensation using our free Eligibility Checker.

2. Secondly, if you are entitled to compensation you will need to submit a few documents.

3. Finally, sit back and wait while we take care of the rest.

1. I’ve accepted a voucher, can I still get compensation?

Usually accepting vouchers waives your EC 261 rights to denied boarding compensation, it’s still worth checking if the situation is unclear to you.

2. What if I’m denied boarding and miss a connecting flight? 

If both flights share a single booking reference, you may be able to claim compensation for the flights.

3. How can I be insured against being denied boarding?

Using AirHelp+ you’ll have quick access to compensation and many more benefits to make your travels as smooth as possible.

4. How do I claim compensation for denied boarding?

Keep all your documents, don’t accept vouchers, keep all your communication from the airline and then claim using their customer service or a third-party service like AirHelp.