Need to Know: New Bumping Rules
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s new bumping rules take effect one week from today. The last time the rules were updated was 1978 - you know, before disco died, around the same time I was eating mushed peas and carrots from tiny jars and putting blocks in my mouth - so the changes are pretty big news for airline consumers and reflect the government’s attempt to alleviate travelers’ woes after what many have described as the worst year for airline consumers - ever.
The new rules essentially double the amounts airlines are required to offer passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding. But oh, the fine print! If you really want to geek out, check the links to the official documents at the bottom of this post. For everyone else, here’s what you really need to know when you head to the airport:
Ch-ch-changes: On May 19, passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding on flights will be entitled to compensation up to $400 if the airline reschedules them on a later flight arriving more than one hour but less than two hours (four for international flights) after their originally scheduled arrival time and up to $800 if the airline reschedules them on flights arriving more than two hours (four for international flights) after their originally scheduled arrival time. The compensation you will receive is calculated based on the ticket fare you paid. The $400 and $800 figures are the maximum amounts passengers are entitled to receive from the airline.
The fast track: If you are involuntarily denied boarding on a flight, but the airline is able to reschedule you on a later flight that will put you at your destination within an hour of your original arrival time, then you will receive no compensation.
The switcheroo: If the airline denies passengers boarding due to a plane change that results in fewer available seats, then passengers are not entitled to compensation under the DOT rules.
More after the jump….
Volunteer staycation: Just like the old rules, the new compensation rules only apply to passengers who have been denied boarding against their will. Before denying passengers, airlines are required to try to find volunteers willing to trade their seats for some level of compensation, usually vouchers for future travel and assistance with food and accommodations while they wait it out. If you voluntarily agree to be bumped and accept compensation from the airline, then you are not entitled to the same compensation offered to those travelers who are involuntarily bumped. The new regulations urge airlines to tell potential volunteers how much they would receive if they were instead bumped involuntarily. When you’re considering an airline’s offer to potential volunteers, compare it to what you would receive if you were involuntarily bumped. You may be able to use this as leverage when you’re negotiating with the airline.
30-somethings: Aircraft with 30 or fewer seats are exempt from this rule. The old rules exempted aircraft with 60 or fewer seats, but a steady increase in regional jets over the years prompted the DOT to expand the involuntary bumping regulations to include aircraft with 30 to 60 seats.
The bumpy road: So who will get bumped and why? While airlines are allowed to make their own decisions about which passengers to bump, they are not allowed to single passengers out or discriminate based on individual characteristics. To make their decisions, they instead look at factors like:
a) when a passenger checked in
b) whether the passenger has a confirmed seat assignment
c) airline mileage program status
d) ticket fare
One of the most important steps you can take as a traveler to avoid being bumped involuntarily is to secure a seat assignment in advance and arrive at the airport early. If you can’t get a seat assignment in advance, then it becomes that much more important for you to arrive at the airport ahead of time. If you don’t have a seat, then you’re likely to be first on the chopping block.
Want to learn more about the DOT’s new bumping rules? Check out the links and documents below:
For the real nitty gritty: Federal Docket, Oversales and Denied Boarding Compensation
For the short and sweet explanation: Original Press Announcement from DOT’s Secretary Peters
For rules in effect through May 18, 2008: Aviation Consumer Protection Overbooking Rules
A nice forum thread on the new rules: FlyerTalk Forum on Bumping Awards
Do you have a question about the new bumping rules taking effect next week? Leave them in a comment and we’ll do our best to answer them.
You can always reach me at lsanders (at) kayak (dot) com.