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Denied Boarding Compensation: What Airlines Owe You

Overbooking is legal. Bumping you without proper compensation is not. Whether you're flying domestic US or to/from Europe, denied boarding against your will triggers some of the strongest passenger rights in the book — and the amounts are higher than most people realize.

US domestic (14 CFR Part 250)

If you're involuntarily bumped from an oversold US flight:

Delay to destinationCompensation
0–1 hour (domestic) / 0–2 hours (international)No compensation required
1–2 hours (domestic) / 2–4 hours (international)200% of one-way fare
2+ hours (domestic) / 4+ hours (international)400% of one-way fare

Caps apply (adjusted periodically — check current DOT figures), and the airline must pay you at the airport, on the day, unless you agree otherwise. They must also give you a written statement of your rights on the spot.

At the gate, right now: if they're asking for volunteers, the voucher they offer is negotiable — hold out, the amount climbs. If you're being involuntarily bumped, do NOT accept a voucher as settlement unless it's worth more to you than the cash you're legally owed. Once you accept, you've settled.

EU flights (EU261)

Denied boarding on a covered flight pays the standard EU261 tiers — €250 / €400 / €600 by distance — regardless of delay length. No 3-hour threshold applies to denied boarding.

What to do at the airport

  1. Get the reason in writing. Ask for the denied-boarding statement — they're required to provide it.
  2. Don't sign anything quickly. Read before you accept any voucher or rebooking.
  3. Screenshot everything: your boarding pass, the departure board showing the flight, any texts/emails from the airline.
  4. Keep receipts for meals, hotels, and transport — reimbursable on top.

US figures per 14 CFR Part 250 (DOT; caps inflation-adjusted). EU figures per Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Last verified October 2026.