Bumped from a US flight? The airline owes you up to US$2,150 in cash
If a US airline bumps you involuntarily from an oversold flight, it owes cash: 200% of your one-way fare, up to US$1,075, when the new flight gets you there 1 to 2 hours late on a domestic trip, and 400%, up to US$2,150, beyond that1. International trips use 1 to 4 hours. Under an hour late, nothing is owed.
Key facts, with sources and dates
- Under 14 CFR 250.5(a) a domestic involuntary bump pays at least 200% of the fare, up to US$1,075, for a new arrival more than 1 and under 2 hours late (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- The same rule pays at least 400%, up to US$2,150, when the new arrival is 2 hours or more late, or no alternative is offered (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- On an international flight leaving a US airport the 200% band runs from 1 to under 4 hours late and 400% applies from 4 hours, under 14 CFR 250.5(b) (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- Under 14 CFR 250.8 the airline must pay in cash or an immediately negotiable cheque on the day, or within 24 hours if your new flight leaves first (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- Under 14 CFR 250.5(f) unused fees for optional services, such as seats and bags, are refunded on top of the compensation (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)1.
- The rule covers flights on aircraft with 30 or more seats, within the US or leaving it nonstop, under 14 CFR 250.2 (eCFR, checked 15 November 2026)1.
How much are you entitled to if your flight is overbooked?
Enter the one-way fare you paid, including taxes and fees1, the trip type and when the airline's new flight gets you there. The answer gives the amount and the clause.
Nothing you type leaves this page. The result is what the rule provides; the airline can dispute the facts.
Denied boarding compensation by delay band
Domestic means within the US; international means a flight leaving a US airport11.
| New arrival time | Domestic trip | International trip from the US | Clause (14 CFR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Within 1 hour of the original arrival | Nothing | Nothing | 250.5(a)(1), (b)(1) |
| More than 1 hour, under 2 hours | 200% of the fare, up to US$1,075 | 200% of the fare, up to US$1,075 | 250.5(a)(2), (b)(2) |
| 2 hours to under 4 hours | 400% of the fare, up to US$2,150 | 200% of the fare, up to US$1,075 | 250.5(a)(3), (b)(2) |
| 4 hours or more, or no new flight | 400% of the fare, up to US$2,150 | 400% of the fare, up to US$2,150 | 250.5(a)(3), (b)(3) |
14 CFR 250.5, eCFR as at 12 November 2026, checked 15 November 2026.
Volunteering and being bumped are paid differently
Before bumping anyone the airline must ask for volunteers, and a volunteer accepts compensation in any amount1. Agree the terms before you give up the seat: the amount, cash or credit, the new flight and meals or a hotel.
Anyone denied boarding who did not volunteer counts as bumped involuntarily, even if they accept the payment1. The cash amounts above apply only to them.
How to get paid if you were bumped from an overbooked flight
- Ask whether you are being denied boarding involuntarily. Say you are not volunteering. The airline must give you a written statement of your rights.
- Ask for the arrival time of the new flight. The band, and so the amount, depends on when it is planned to arrive at your destination or first stopover.
- Ask for the payment in cash or a cheque. It is due on the day and at the airport, or within 24 hours if your new flight leaves first.
- Decline a voucher unless it is worth more. A voucher can replace the cash only if it is worth at least as much and you are told the cash amount and that you can refuse.
- Claim back unused extras. Seat and bag fees you paid and did not use come back on top.
- Write if the airline does not pay. Write to the airline with the flight, the band and the amount; it must answer within 60 days.
What to say at the gate
I am not volunteering to give up my seat. If you deny me boarding, please give me the written statement of my rights under 14 CFR 250.9, the planned arrival time of my new flight, and my denied boarding compensation in cash or a cheque under 14 CFR 250.8. Please also refund the seat and bag fees I paid for this flight.
The airline must acknowledge a written complaint within 30 days and answer within 602. The claim page writes the follow-up letter.
Can the airline pay me in a voucher instead of cash?
Only if you agree and three conditions are met: the voucher is worth at least as much as the cash, the airline tells you the cash amount and that you can refuse the voucher, and it discloses all material restrictions first1. Otherwise the payment is cash or an immediately negotiable cheque, on the day1.
A credit is harder to spend than cash. American's Flight Credit can be used only by the named passenger, and United's travel certificates have a book-by date (see the American and United credit pages).
Your bag and seat fees come back too
On top of the compensation, the airline must refund unused fees for optional services you paid, such as seat selection and checked bags, whether you volunteered or were bumped1. Fees for services you use on the replacement flight are not refunded.
When does the airline owe nothing?
No compensation is owed if you missed the check-in or ticketing rules, if a smaller aircraft was substituted for operational or safety reasons (or weight and balance limits applied on an aircraft of 60 seats or fewer), if you were seated elsewhere on the aircraft at no extra charge, or if the new flight arrives within 1 hour1.
The rule covers aircraft with 30 or more seats on flights within the US and nonstop flights leaving it1. A bump on a flight into the US from abroad falls under the rules where you departed.
Can I be bumped after I've boarded?
Not for overbooking. Once you have checked in on time and the gate agent has scanned and accepted your boarding pass, the airline may not deny you boarding or remove you, except for a safety, security or health risk or disruptive behaviour1.
Bumped on a flight from Europe or the UK
Leaving the EU, EU261 pays involuntarily bumped passengers the same EUR 250, 400 or 600 it pays for a cancellation, plus care and a choice of refund or rerouting3. Leaving the UK, UK261 pays GBP 220, 350 or 5204. These apply on any airline departing those countries.
For a cancellation or delay on top of a bump, see flight cancellation refunds and the compensation calculator.
Questions people ask
At what point do airlines have to compensate you?
For an involuntary bump on a US flight, when the new flight is planned to arrive more than 1 hour after the original. The amount is 200% or 400% of the one-way fare, capped at US$1,075 or US$2,150.
How much are you entitled to if your flight is overbooked?
200% of the one-way fare up to US$1,075 for a domestic arrival 1 to 2 hours late, and 400% up to US$2,150 beyond that. Internationally the 200% band runs to 4 hours.
How do I know if I am entitled to flight compensation?
You must have been denied boarding against your will on an oversold flight with a confirmed seat, checked in on time, and the new flight must arrive more than 1 hour late. Weight and balance limits on small aircraft and aircraft swaps are exceptions.
How to get paid if you were bumped from an overbooked flight?
Ask at the gate for the written statement and for cash or a cheque. The airline must pay on the day, or within 24 hours if your new flight leaves first.
Can I be bumped after I have boarded?
Not once your boarding pass has been scanned and accepted, except for safety, security, health or behaviour reasons (14 CFR 250.7).
Who gets bumped first?
Each airline sets its own boarding priority. American, for example, says it usually goes by check-in time and may also consider hardship, fare paid and AAdvantage status.
Do I have to take a voucher if I am bumped?
No. The rule pays cash or a cheque. A voucher can replace it only if it is worth at least as much and you were told you could take the cash.
More on cancellations, delays and claims
Sources
4 sources
Every figure links to its source. "Checked at source" means the law, the regulator's page or the airline's own page was read on or before 15 November 2026. "Reported elsewhere" means it came through another outlet, a search extract of the official page, or a figure worked out from project data. Sources that also feed the main page link to the methodology page.
- eCFR, 14 CFR 250.5(a), as at 12 November 2026 Checked at source
- eCFR, 14 CFR 259.7(c), as at 12 November 2026 Checked at source
- EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 (European Union (also applied by Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, which was not re-checked today)) Checked at source · methodology ref 90
- UK261 (assimilated Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 as amended) (United Kingdom) Checked at source · methodology ref 91