Hubby got involuntarily bumped off flight- compensation?

**khaski** · 08-07-2011, 05:53 PM

Hubby has been down in SC visiting his Dad, we bought tickets 6+ weeks ago, he was supposed to go Charlotte NC-DC-Manchester NH....he was told upon check in at NC that flight was 'full', they rerouted him to NC-Philly-NH...he will now be getting home 4+ hrs. later than originally booked (a real treat, with him up at 4 am for work tomorrow, and 2 small kids I have to tow over an hr. away to the airport for a flight that comes in at 7:45....15 minutes before their usual bedtime). I told him to speak to the reps. about some kind of compensation for this, like a flight voucher, they said he has to contact customer service when they get home, they have no 'power' to do that (yeah, right). So, we will contact them tomorrow...any tips on dealing with this? It's just plain wrong they 'bumped' him when we bought tickets well in advance and he was there in a timely fashion to make the flight....we should at least get a voucher, I would think.

**frugalfranny** · 08-07-2011, 06:04 PM

I would sure ask for it..........AND GO BIG......you can always
come back down.

BUT........isn't it that they just have to have you OUT of the airport within a certain number of hours (was thinking two- but could be wrong)..........check online to see the guide lines.

This might help.........
Compensation for Flight Delay and Overbookings

And no matter what the guidelines are.........ASK FOR IT.

SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE GREASE!!!

**alotofgooddeals** · 08-07-2011, 06:08 PM

Good luck you are going to need it...I had a friend who had a similiar problem and they ended up having to take a rental car and drive to maine because if they waited as long as the airlines wanted them to they would have been on their way back....they called the airlines to see how they could get some type of reimbursement for the airlines that they did not use however was told NO....it happens..

**many houseapes** · 08-07-2011, 06:11 PM

Hope yopu get compensated.

**Nishu** · 08-07-2011, 06:16 PM

I was given a free ticket voucher when I was bumped. This was almost ten years ago and with delta. Id ask at least.

**Libby** · 08-07-2011, 06:29 PM

If your DH flew Delta, you will get some sort of compensation for this. Delta is notorious for overbooking their flights and being late.

One thing to remember - just b/c you bought a tix for the return flight in advance - you're not guaranteed a seat until you 'check in' within their posted timelines. (at least in my experience - this applies for any airline)

Be calm and courteous when you call customer service but be firm and ask questions. A lot of questions. Ask them if this is normal or standard practice, ask how often they do this, what is their protocol for doing this etc. Don't start the call like a raving lunatic. I found that by being calm and courteous got me a lot further in the compensation department.

Good luck!

**BlissMommy** · 08-07-2011, 06:31 PM

I would at least ask if they will compensate you. It's worth a try. Good luck!

**lisaflex** · 08-07-2011, 07:39 PM

if it is continental - they have (in the past) put us on the next flight out first class or the following morning in first class....but i do know that airlines have changed polices due to mergers.

i would stay on the reps at the airport until a supervisor shows up and then keep contacting cust srvc repeatedly along w/ calls, memos and emails to higher ups...jmho

**ladykemma2** · 08-07-2011, 09:21 PM

i was voluntarily bumped last month by southwest. they gave me a coupon for a free round trip ticket anywhere southwest flies.

**mauimagic** · 08-07-2011, 09:30 PM

If you follow the polite and sane request routine and still do not get satisfaction, put it all in writing just as sane and polite with what you are requesting for compensation. Hopefully it won't come to that....... but the written word does hold more power than a phone call. Good luck and let us know what happens.

**sinopa27** · 08-08-2011, 01:25 AM

Originally Posted by Libby

If your DH flew Delta, you will get some sort of compensation for this. Delta is notorious for overbooking their flights and being late.

One thing to remember - just b/c you bought a tix for the return flight in advance - you're not guaranteed a seat until you 'check in' within their posted timelines. (at least in my experience - this applies for any airline)

Be calm and courteous when you call customer service but be firm and ask questions. A lot of questions. Ask them if this is normal or standard practice, ask how often they do this, what is their protocol for doing this etc. Don't start the call like a raving lunatic. I found that by being calm and courteous got me a lot further in the compensation department.

Good luck!

Great advice!! I have found that being courteous will help you more than going crazy. They probably get 100 crazy calls with complaints but will do what they can for you if you are nice.....but firm.
good luck!

**Bournecrazy** · 08-08-2011, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by Libby

One thing to remember - just b/c you bought a tix for the return flight in advance - you're not guaranteed a seat until you 'check in' within their posted timelines. (at least in my experience - this applies for any airline)

You took the words right out of my mouth

- This is always the reason why i turn up to the airport a good 4-5 hours before flight time and hang around the checkout desks until they open