What to do in case of an overbooked flight?
You hope never to experience it, but unfortunately it is reality and flights get overbooked. Airlines sell more tickets than they actually have available seats. This is with the goal of achieving the highest possible seat occupancy rate. Every empty seat is one too many for the airlines. In fact, it happens regularly that passengers do not show up for their flights. For example, they did not make their connection or do not come to the airport at all. Airlines make allowances for these passengers, also known as no-shows. But how do you prevent your flight from being overbooked? What are the first signs that your flight is overbooked? What are your rights in case of overbooking and what can we do for you in case of overbooking?
How do I prevent my flight from being overbooked?
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce the chances of overbooking your flight. Here are a few tips:
- Check in online in advance. With most regular airlines, this can be done from 30 to 24 hours before departure. With budget airlines, this can often be done much earlier.
- Be on time at the gate.
- Become a member of a frequent flyer program. This greatly lowers your chances of transferring. In fact, members are always treated with priority.
- Fly with checked baggage. In fact, it is easier to refuse someone with only carry-on luggage. If baggage has already been checked in, it must be removed from the hold again.
What are the first signs that my flight is overbooked?
If you are unable to check in online or are not assigned a seat number when checking in online, this could be a reason that the flight is overbooked. In such a case, always make sure you arrive at the airport in plenty of time.
What are my rights in the case of overbooking?
In the event of an overbooked flight, the airline will often offer compensation in the form of a voucher, upgrade, air miles or cash to travelers willing to voluntarily give up their seats for a later flight.
If not enough volunteers are willing to give up their seats, passengers will be designated to fly on a later flight. In doing so, the passenger is entitled to a fee up to €600 (if the flight is within EU jurisdiction). This is the case when:
- You depart within the EU and arrive on an airline from within or outside the EU.
- If you arrive in the EU on an aircraft of an EU airline.
However, passengers who voluntarily give up their seats on the plane are not entitled to additional compensation beyond what they were previously offered.
What can Uniglobe Alliance Travel do in case of overbooking?
In the case of overbooking, it is important to know what your rights are, see above. Advice is therefore to address yourself locally to the airline you are flying with. Of course, you can always contact us to request the next flights and guide you. We will always try to get you to the right location as soon as possible and are happy to think with you.
We hope this blog has helped you be better prepared in the event of an overbooked flight. For further questions or help with your business travel planning, please do not hesitate to contact with us. We are ready to help you with all your business travel needs. You can easily book these yourself, or you can have our travel consultants book them for you.
Travel Well!
