How To Master the Art of Getting Compensated for Overbooked Flights

Airlines commonly oversell plane seats to account for missed connections and no-show passengers. Most of the time, we aren’t even aware of the practice, also known as overbooking. Everything usually works out well, and everyone who purchased a ticket gets to fly.

Occasionally, however, overselling can result in more passengers than seats available. When this happens, airlines will ask volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for compensation. This creates space to accommodate confirmed passengers who would otherwise be denied a seat.

I’m always eager to volunteer my seat and receive compensation, whenever possible. However, there is an art to getting it right.

Why You Should Volunteer on Oversold Flights

The primary reason to give up my seat on a plane is for compensation, which can be quite lucrative. Here are a few offers I’ve received within the past year for giving up my seat:

• $1,200 for giving up my seat on a 1-hour domestic flight and rebooking on a flight with a connection that allowed me to make the second leg of my itinerary without a problem.
• $1,500 for changing to another domestic flight on the same route the following morning.
• $300 for giving up my first class seat on a 2-hour flight and sitting in economy on the same flight. While the flight was not oversold, a seat was needed for a flight attendant since a jumpseat was broken.
• $250 for taking a nonstop flight leaving 1 hour later versus the 1-stop flight I was booked on.

The type of compensation will vary, depending on the airline. Some airlines have a selection of gift cards from which to select (including Visa gift cards). Others offer an e-voucher for a future flight. I am fine with either of those options.

How To Know if a Flight Is Overbooked

There is no sure way to know if my flight will be oversold on the day of departure, but there are signs. Here’s what I watch for, and the research I do to discover if my flight is full or oversold.

Look for Emails and Pop-up Notices

On the days leading up to my flight, I watch for emails from the airline that offer a free change to an earlier or later flight. Airlines will usually make this request when the flight is full or oversold.

When not enough passengers choose another flight, the next airline move may be a pop-up notice at check-in. I check my reservations frequently, even after check-in, as the flight might be oversold and the airline needs volunteers.

The pop-up notice at check-in can include an option to declare the amount of money I would accept for giving up my seat. We’ll discuss this bidding process shortly.

Check Seat Maps

A full seat map may indicate that a flight could be oversold, but seat maps can be unreliable. For example, a seat map showing numerous vacant seats could mean that passengers with basic economy fares, which do not allow a seat assignment before checking in, may fill unassigned seats before departure.

If the seat map shows the flight is full, I will head to the airport early and volunteer.

Use ExpertFlyer

Another tool I use to determine if my flight is full is ExpertFlyer. I purchased the limited version, which allows 250 searches per month. For $4.99 a month, it’s an affordable way to view available seats. As you can see, there are no seats available in any fare class on the flight I have selected.

There is always the possibility of no-show passengers. However, knowing the flight is full, I will head to the airport early and proactively volunteer.

The Key to Successful Volunteering

Most passengers anticipate the journey ahead and are not thinking of volunteering to give up their seats. That is until the gate agent makes an announcement asking for volunteers. At that point, travelers may consider the alternatives and potential disruption to their trip. Or, a group of travelers may also need to discuss the situation further before volunteering.

Not me. Before heading to the airport, I have already researched alternative flights and how volunteering my seat would disrupt my trip. I have also considered how much compensation might negate the inconvenience, and conversed with any travel companions.

Besides advance preparation, traveling solo without checked baggage is also a huge advantage. (This preparation can also be useful should I encounter other potential flight disruptions.)

I pay for most of my flights with my Chase Sapphire Reserve^® to ensure I have sufficient travel insurance during my trip.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

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Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

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• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel^SM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
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• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
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• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
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The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card is also known for its superb travel insurance, and is one of our favorite travel credit cards for an affordable $95 annual fee.

BEST BEGINNER CARD

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U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a great welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 bonus points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.49% - 27.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

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• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
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Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
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• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Bid Proactively

Previously, I mentioned alerts at check-in saying a flight is oversold and volunteers are needed. The message may also contain a list of dollar amounts I can select. The amount I choose is what I would agree to for giving up my seat.

I normally bid the lowest amount, since some gate agents select those passengers first. Depending on the alternative flight and timeframe, I can attempt to negotiate a higher amount. Bidding the highest amount may never put me in front of the gate agent and give me that opportunity.

However, American Airlines recently changed its policy. Gate agents informed me they cannot deviate from the amount bid. In this case, I may make a mid-range bid that I feel comfortable with.

The airline may also need to address overbooking at the departure gate, without advance bidding or notice. If the airline cannot find enough volunteers at the gate, compensation can reach to levels way above the original bid — sometimes thousands of dollars!

This is because confirmed passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding become eligible for compensation that starts at 400% of their ticket price. Compensation can also increase depending on the length of the passenger delay.

Final Thoughts

It’s not always possible to arrange my schedule with the flexibility to volunteer my seat. I may be connecting to an international flight or need to get home for a commitment the following day. I might also not want to sacrifice time with family or friends.

However, volunteering my seat can earn me more travel money for future trips. In most cases, I find rewards far outweigh any inconvenience, working out for me favorably.