Federal law — 14 CFR Part 250Updated October 18, 2026

Bumped from your flight?
You're owed up to $1,550 in cash.

When an airline oversells a flight and involuntarily removes you, federal law requires them to pay you 200–400% of your one-way fare — up to $1,550 — in cash. Not vouchers. Not travel credits. Cash. Here's exactly what you're owed and how to collect every dollar.

If you are involuntarily denied boarding (bumped) from a US flight, the airline must pay cash compensation under 14 CFR Part 250: 200% of your one-way fare (maximum $775) if you arrive 1-2 hours late on a domestic flight, or 400% of your one-way fare (maximum $1,550) if you arrive more than 2 hours late. You can refuse vouchers and demand cash on the spot. This applies to all US airlines on domestic and outbound international flights. Voluntary bumping (when the airline asks for volunteers) is negotiable and not covered by these minimums.

Denied Boarding Compensation — 14 CFR 250.5

Arrival delay

Domestic flights

International flights

Under 1 hour

No compensation

1–2 hours (domestic)

1–4 hours (international)

200% of one-way fare
Max $775

Over 2 hours (domestic)

Over 4 hours (international)

400% of one-way fare
Max $1,550

Per passenger. Based on the price of your one-way fare (or half round-trip). These are federal minimums — you can always negotiate more. Source: 14 CFR 250.5.

Critical

You can REFUSE vouchers. Demand cash.

Airlines will immediately offer you vouchers, travel credits, upgrades, or future flight discounts. This is by design — vouchers cost airlines far less than cash. Many go unused or expire.

Your legal right under 14 CFR 250.9:

The airline must offer compensation by check or cash. You are not required to accept a voucher. Say exactly this:

"I want the cash compensation I'm owed under 14 CFR Part 250. I do not accept a voucher or travel credit."

Once you accept a voucher and sign a waiver (often labeled "in full satisfaction"), you may lose your right to the cash amount. Read everything before you sign. If they hand you a document, look for waiver language. If in doubt, don't sign — you can always accept the cash later, but you can't undo a signed waiver.

Voluntary vs. involuntary: this distinction is everything

Voluntary (you choose to give up your seat)

—The airline asks for volunteers at the gate
—You choose to raise your hand
—You negotiate the terms — voucher amount, flight rebooking, hotel, meals
—No federal minimum applies — it's a free negotiation
—Pro tip: don't take the first offer. Airlines typically start low ($200–$400 voucher) and go up

Involuntary (they force you off the flight)

—The airline calls your name and says you cannot board
—You did NOT volunteer — they selected you
—Federal compensation minimums apply (200–400% of fare)
—You can refuse vouchers and demand cash
—The airline must provide a written explanation of your rights
—This is the scenario where 14 CFR 250 protects you

Watch for the gray area

Airlines sometimes pressure passengers to "volunteer" under time pressure, making it feel involuntary. If an agent says something like "we need someone to give up their seat or we can't depart" and singles you out — that's coercion, not volunteering. If you felt you had no real choice, it's involuntary. Document what was said and who said it.

Just got bumped? Do this right now.

These steps apply to involuntary denied boarding. Follow them at the gate before you leave the airport.

1
Confirm it's involuntary
Listen carefully. If the gate agent is asking for volunteers, that's voluntary — you can negotiate freely but you're not protected by federal minimums. If they call your name and say you cannot board, that's involuntary. Ask directly: 'Am I being involuntarily denied boarding?'
2
Demand written confirmation of denied boarding
Ask the gate agent for a written statement confirming you were involuntarily denied boarding. Under 14 CFR 250.9, the airline must provide a written notice explaining your rights and the compensation due. If they don't offer it, say: 'I need the written denied boarding notice required under federal law.'
3
Ask for the compensation amount in writing
Before accepting anything, ask: 'What is the cash compensation amount I'm owed under 14 CFR 250?' Get them to calculate it based on your fare and the delay to your rebooked flight. Make them write it down.
4
Refuse vouchers — say the magic words
Say exactly this: 'I want the cash compensation under 14 CFR 250. I do not accept a voucher.' Airlines will push vouchers hard — they cost the airline less than cash. You have the legal right to demand payment by check. Do not sign anything that says 'in full satisfaction' unless you're getting the cash amount.
5
Get rebooked on the next available flight
You're entitled to rebooking on the next flight with available seats — on any airline, not just the one that bumped you. The compensation you receive is separate from the rebooking; you get both. If the next flight isn't until tomorrow, ask for meal and hotel accommodations.
6
File a DOT complaint if the airline refuses
Go to airconsumer.dot.gov and file a complaint citing 14 CFR Part 250. Include your flight number, date, written denied boarding notice (or note that they refused to provide one), and the compensation amount owed. Airlines must respond to DOT complaints. You can also file in small claims court — these amounts are well within limits.

How the compensation math works

Example: $350 domestic fare, bumped, arrive 3 hours late

Over 2 hours late on a domestic flight = 400% of one-way fare.
400% of $350 = $1,400. Under the $1,550 cap, so you get $1,400 in cash.

Example: $500 domestic fare, bumped, arrive 90 minutes late

1–2 hours late on a domestic flight = 200% of one-way fare.
200% of $500 = $1,000. Exceeds the $775 cap, so you get $775 in cash.

Example: $200 international fare, bumped, arrive 5 hours late

Over 4 hours late on an international flight = 400% of one-way fare.
400% of $200 = $800. Under the $1,550 cap, so you get $800 in cash.

If you bought a round-trip ticket, the one-way fare is calculated as half the round-trip price. The airline cannot use a discounted internal fare — it's based on what you actually paid.

Calculate your exact compensation — enter your airline

Check what your specific airline owes you for delays, cancellations, and denied boarding.

Real experiences from bumped passengers

"Got bumped from a United flight last month. Gate agent immediately offered a $400 voucher. I said I wanted the cash under DOT rules. She called a supervisor, and 20 minutes later I had a check for $775. Don't take the voucher."

r/travel — verified bumping experience

"American bumped me and my wife from an oversold flight to Miami. We both demanded cash. $1,550 each — $3,100 total for a 3 hour delay. That paid for half our vacation. They really don't want you to know you can refuse the voucher."

r/airlines — verified bumping experience

"Key lesson I learned: when they ask for volunteers, stay quiet. If nobody volunteers and they bump you involuntarily, the federal minimum kicks in and it's almost always more than the volunteer offer. They started at $200 voucher for volunteers, I got $1,100 cash as an involuntary bump."

r/LifeProTips — verified bumping experience

Who gets bumped? The priority system

Airlines have their own boarding priority policies that determine who gets bumped last. While each airline's system differs, the general hierarchy (from most to least protected):

1.
Elite frequent flyers and premium cabin passengers
2.
Passengers who checked in earliest
3.
Passengers with connecting flights
4.
Full-fare economy ticket holders
5.
Passengers on the lowest fare classes (basic economy)
6.
Passengers who checked in last

Airlines are required to publish their boarding priority policies in their Contract of Carriage, but most passengers never read them. Check in as early as possible — online check-in 24 hours before departure significantly reduces your bumping risk.

When bumping compensation does NOT apply

Aircraft substitution with fewer seats

If the airline swaps to a smaller plane for safety or operational reasons, the DOT considers this different from overbooking. However, some courts have ruled this still counts — document it and file a complaint.

Charter flights

14 CFR 250 applies to scheduled air service only. Charter flights are exempt.

Aircraft with 30 or fewer seats

Small aircraft (30 seats or fewer) are exempt from the denied boarding compensation rules.

You didn't meet check-in requirements

If you arrived late to check-in or the gate, the airline can deny you boarding without compensation. Always meet the airline's posted check-in deadline.

Voluntary — you agreed to give up your seat

If you volunteered, the federal minimums don't apply. You get whatever you negotiated, nothing more.

How to file a DOT complaint for denied boarding

Gather your documentation

Flight number, date, boarding pass, the written denied boarding notice (or note they refused to give one), any voucher offers made, names of agents you spoke with.

Go to airconsumer.dot.gov

Select 'Oversales' as the complaint type. Describe exactly what happened — involuntary, compensation offered (or not), whether you were told about your rights under 14 CFR 250.

File with the airline simultaneously

Send a written complaint to the airline's customer relations team citing 14 CFR Part 250. Airlines must respond to DOT complaints and often settle quickly to close them.

Consider small claims court

If the airline stonewalls, $775–$1,550 is well within small claims court limits in every state. The law is clear, the math is simple, and you don't need a lawyer. Filing fees are typically $30–$75.

File a DOT complaint →

Get your disruption kit emailed

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Frequently asked questions

How much compensation am I owed if I'm bumped from a flight?

Under 14 CFR Part 250, if you're involuntarily denied boarding and arrive 1–2 hours late (domestic) or 1–4 hours late (international), the airline owes you 200% of your one-way fare, up to $775. If you arrive more than 2 hours late (domestic) or more than 4 hours late (international), they owe 400% of your one-way fare, up to $1,550. If they get you to your destination within 1 hour of your original arrival time, no compensation is required. These are federal minimums — you can always negotiate more.

Can I refuse a voucher and demand cash when bumped from a flight?

Yes. Under 14 CFR 250.9, airlines must offer denied boarding compensation by check or cash. You are under no obligation to accept a travel voucher, credit, or upgrade in place of cash. Once you accept a voucher and sign a release, you may waive your right to cash compensation. Always say: 'I want the cash compensation under 14 CFR 250' before accepting anything else.

What's the difference between voluntary and involuntary denied boarding?

Voluntary: the airline asks for volunteers to give up their seats, and you choose to do so in exchange for whatever the airline offers (vouchers, upgrades, cash — negotiable). Involuntary: the airline removes you from the flight against your will because the flight is oversold. Only involuntary denied boarding triggers the federal compensation minimums under 14 CFR Part 250. If you volunteer, you negotiate freely but lose the federal protections.

Does bumping compensation apply to international flights?

Yes. 14 CFR Part 250 applies to all flights departing from US airports, whether domestic or international. The compensation tiers differ slightly: for international flights, the 200% tier applies for arrival delays of 1–4 hours (vs 1–2 hours domestic), and the 400% tier kicks in after 4 hours (vs 2 hours domestic). Flights originating outside the US on foreign carriers may be governed by different rules (such as EU261 for European departures).

What should I do if the airline refuses to pay bumping compensation?

First, ask for the denial in writing and cite 14 CFR Part 250 specifically. If the airline still refuses, file a complaint with the DOT at airconsumer.dot.gov. DOT complaints are public record, airlines must respond, and the DOT tracks compliance. You can also file in small claims court — the amounts ($775–$1,550) are well within small claims limits in every state, and the law is clear enough that you don't need a lawyer.

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Bumped from your flight?You're owed up to $1,550 in cash.