What to Do If You’re Bumped from a Flight or Your Hotel Is Overbooked: The Conquer Travel Guide to Staying Cool (and Getting Compensated!)

What to Do If You’re Bumped from a Flight or Your Hotel Is Overbooked: The Conquer Travel Guide to Staying Cool (and Getting Compensated!)

Picture this: You’re at the airport, humming your favorite travel playlist, passport in hand, ready for adventure. Suddenly, the gate agent calls your name. Uh-oh. Or maybe you’ve finally made it to your hotel after a long day of travel, only to hear, “Sorry, we’re overbooked.” Heart. Drops.

Before you panic—take a deep breath. Conquer Travel’s got your back! Here’s your ultimate guide to what to do if you’re denied boarding or your hotel is overbooked, plus your rights, compensation info, and how to turn travel lemons into lemonade.

Denied Boarding (a.k.a. Getting “Bumped” from a Flight)

Why Does This Even Happen?

Airlines sometimes sell more seats than they have, betting that not everyone will show up. If too many do, someone’s getting bumped. Sometimes travelers volunteer to take a later flight (for perks), but sometimes you’re chosen involuntarily.

Your Rights—U.S. Flights

If you’re flying in the U.S. and get involuntarily bumped, you have rights (and possibly some cash coming your way):

• Compensation: Airlines must pay you, unless they get you to your destination within one hour of your original arrival time.

• How much? It depends on how late you arrive at your destination compared to your original booking. You could get up to 400% of your one-way fare (capped at $1,550 as of 2023).

• Written Notice: The airline must give you a written statement describing your rights and explaining how they chose who got bumped.

Pro Tip: Always ask if there are volunteers needed before you get bumped. If you volunteer, you can negotiate perks—think travel vouchers, upgrades, or lounge passes!

Want the official word?
U.S. DOT: Bumped from a Flight? Here’s What You Need to Know

Your Rights—European Flights (EU261)

If your flight is departing from the EU (or arriving in the EU on a European airline), you’re covered under EU261:

• Compensation: Up to €600, depending on flight distance and delay.

• Immediate Support: You may also get food, drink, and hotel stays if you’re stuck overnight.

For more info:
AirHelp: EU261 Denied Boarding Compensation

What to Do if You’re Bumped

1. Stay Calm and Polite (we know it's hard): Gate agents are your best allies.

2. Ask for Compensation: Don’t be shy—know your rights. Just referencing the rules listed above tends to work wonders, in our experience.

3. Get It in Writing: Ask for a written explanation and all compensation offers - email or text messages count as getting it in writing. You just need something to show if the airline changes its story.

4. Keep Receipts: For food, hotels, taxis—airlines may reimburse you.

5. Contact Conquer Travel: We’ll help you navigate, advocate, and get what you deserve.

Hotel Overbooking: When Your Room Has “Mysteriously” Disappeared

Why Does This Happen?

Hotels, like airlines, sometimes overbook, betting on last-minute cancellations. Hotels and Airlines have data to support the normal cancellation rate, so it is a business decision for them to overbook knowing that most of the time, a certain percentage of people will cancel. But if everyone shows up—someone’s out of luck.

Your Rights—U.S. Hotels

• Alternative Accommodation: Most hotels will try to “walk” you to a similar hotel nearby (they pay, not you).

• Transportation: They should cover your taxi or shuttle to the new hotel.

• Refunds: If you prepaid, you’re entitled to a refund if you decline the alternate hotel.

• Perks: Ask for upgrades, meal vouchers, or future discounts for the inconvenience.

More on your rights:
FTC: What to Do If Your Hotel Room Has Been Overbooked
Travelers United: What to do when your hotel is overbooked

Your Rights—UK/Europe

• Alternative Arrangements: Hotels must provide comparable or better accommodation at no extra cost.

• Refunds: You’re entitled to a full refund if you decline the alternative.

• Consumer Law: You may be able to claim additional compensation for inconvenience.

Useful link: UK Competition & Markets Authority: If a hotel cancels your booking

What to Do if Your Hotel is Overbooked

1. Stay Calm and Be Firm: Politely insist on a comparable or better alternative.

2. Get Details in Writing: Request confirmation of the new hotel and who is paying.

3. Ask for Extras: Don’t hesitate—ask for meal vouchers, upgrades, or a future discount.

4. Keep Receipts: For any out-of-pocket expenses.

5. Contact Conquer Travel: We’ll advocate for you and help make it right.

Quick FAQ: Your “Don’t Panic” Cheat Sheet

Q: Can I get compensation if I’m voluntarily bumped from a flight?
A: Yes, but the amount is negotiable—ask for what you want! Reference the laws above and pull up the links from the DOT if it's a U.S. based flight or the EU if European (and we've included the links again below to help you find them). Referencing these shows that you know what the laws are and shows that you aren't afraid to assert your rights.

Q: What if the alternate hotel is a downgrade?
A: You don’t have to accept it. Insist on equal or better, or request a refund. The key here is being professional and persistent. Being calm and collected doesn't mean you can't be assertive. And if you do lose your cool, just fall on your sword and apologize. Remind them that it is a stressful time (explain if you've been up all day, have crying kids, etc.) that tends to remind people that you, like them, are human and make mistakes. But it also shows that you can own up to them, which is something the airline or hotel may not be doing. So it models the outcome you want.

Q: What if I booked with points or a third-party site?
A: The hotel’s obligations remain. Like with airline overbooking, it helps to reference the links above (and below) from the FTC (if a US hotel) or the UK Competition & Market Authority (if in the UK). But you should also contact your booking provider, too. And let us know—even if you didn't book through Conquer Travel, we might be able to help. We know the rules, and we’ll help advocate for you.

Useful Links for Travelers

• DOT: Bumped from a Flight?

• AirHelp: EU261 Denied Boarding Compensation

• FTC: Hotel Overbooking

• Travelers United: Hotel Overbooking

• UK CMA: If a hotel cancels your booking

Final Word: Travel Hiccups Happen—But You’re Not Alone

At Conquer Travel, we turn travel mishaps into stories you’ll laugh about at your next dinner party. We know your rights, we’ve got your back—wherever in the world you are.

Ready to travel with confidence? Let’s make your next adventure unforgettable (for all the right reasons). Connect with us using the "Start My Adventure" Button below.