Overbooked / Denied Boarding: Your Compensation Rights
Being involuntarily bumped from an oversold flight triggers the clearest compensation of all — because it's the airline's commercial choice, the “extraordinary circumstances” excuse simply doesn't apply. Know your number before you accept anything at the gate.
The short answer
Involuntary denied boarding pays €250–€600 / £220–£520 under EU261/UK261 (by distance), up to 400% of your one-way fare in cash in the U.S., and CA$900–CA$2,400 in Canada — plus a refund or re-routing and care. Airlines can't use extraordinary circumstances to avoid it. If you VOLUNTEER to be bumped, you only get whatever you negotiate, so don't sell your seat cheaply.
Involuntary vs voluntary
If the airline forces you off an oversold flight, the full statutory compensation applies. If you volunteer in exchange for a benefit, you only get what you negotiate — so weigh the offer against the statutory amount you'd otherwise be owed, and don't accept a voucher worth less than your legal entitlement.
What you're owed, by jurisdiction
Denied-boarding pay is strong everywhere:
- EU261 / UK261: €250–€600 / £220–£520 by distance, plus refund/re-route and care
- U.S. DOT: cash up to 400% of the one-way fare (capped), not a voucher
- Canada APPR: CA$900 / CA$1,800 / CA$2,400 by how late you arrive
No extraordinary-circumstances defence
Unlike delays and cancellations, overbooking is entirely within the airline's control. It can't blame weather, ATC, or strikes — so a denied-boarding claim is one of the hardest for an airline to refuse.
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Check my compensationFrequently asked questions
How much is denied-boarding compensation?
In the EU/UK it's the same €250–€600 / £220–£520 distance-based amount as a long delay. In the U.S. it's cash up to 400% of your one-way fare. In Canada it's CA$900–CA$2,400. All on top of a refund or re-routing.
Should I volunteer to be bumped?
Only if the offer beats your statutory entitlement and suits your plans. Airlines often offer vouchers worth less than the cash you'd be owed if bumped involuntarily — so know your number first, and prefer cash over vouchers.