New rules for airlines overbooking flight could pay off for the consumer

IF YOU GET BUMPED FROM AN OVERSOLD FLIGHT, THE AIRLINE IS GOING TO HAVE TO PAY YOU UP TO $800:


Have you ever been bumped from a flight because the airline oversold the plane? It happens every day.


--Usually, they'll ask people to voluntarily give up their seat in exchange for a first class seat on another plane, or a hotel voucher, or airline miles, or whatever.


--But sometimes . . . there isn't anyone willing to give up their seat . . . and then people are involuntarily bumped. Thankfully, your Federal government has stepped in to rectify this!


--Yesterday, the Transportation Department announced that airlines who oversell flights MUST compensate passengers who are involuntarily bumped to another plane . . . with cold, hard CASH. Here's the breakdown . . .


--If you get bumped from your flight, the airline will pay you $400 if you get on another plane and arrive at your destination within TWO HOURS of the original arrival time . . . or within FOUR HOURS of the original time if you're flying internationally.


--But, if your arrival is delayed even longer than that . . . the airline has to pay you $800.


--According to the Transportation Department, the new policy is aimed at strengthening passenger protections, improving consumer choice and reducing airport and flight congestion. The new policy goes into effect next month.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-te.bz.bump17apr17,0,5981030.story
(CNN)