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Emergency

Not taken due to overbooking: your rights at the gate

If a flight is overbooked, the airline first looks for volunteers who will fly later in return for a benefit. If it does not find enough, it can turn away passengers against their will. If you are denied boarding involuntarily, you are entitled to a compensation payment, a refund or alternative transport and care.

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Your chances of getting your money back

For involuntary denied boarding due to overbooking you are entitled to compensation of 250 to 600 euros, plus a refund or alternative transport and care (EU Regulation 261/2004), regardless of the reason for the overbooking.
If you volunteer to step back and accept a benefit, you generally waive the statutory compensation payment. So have offers explained to you carefully before you agree.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Make involuntariness clear

    Make clear that you want to fly and are not stepping back voluntarily: this secures the statutory compensation.

  2. 2

    2. Secure evidence

    Document the boarding pass, the notice of overbooking, the replacement flight and the arrival time.

  3. 3

    3. Demand compensation

    Demand the compensation payment by distance as well as a refund or alternative transport and care.

  4. 4

    4. Check voluntary offers

    Only if the offered benefit is truly attractive is a voluntary waiver worthwhile. Otherwise insist on transport.

How to spot the scam

  • You are asked to accept 'compensation' that is in truth a waiver.
  • No clear distinction is made between voluntary and involuntary stepping back.
  • Care (meals, hotel) is refused.

Frequently asked questions

What am I entitled to in the case of overbooking?

If you are denied boarding involuntarily, you are entitled to compensation of 250 to 600 euros depending on the distance, plus a refund or alternative transport and care (meals, hotel if necessary) under EU Regulation 261/2004.

Should I volunteer?

Only if the airline's offer (money, voucher, rebooking) is truly good. With a voluntary waiver you generally give up the statutory compensation payment. If you want to reach your destination on time, insist on transport.

Does this also apply if the overbooking was 'not the airline's fault'?

Yes. The compensation payment for overbooking does not depend on fault. Extraordinary circumstances as with delays generally play no role here.

Take action now

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.