Sometimes airlines make mistakes when booking a flight that can lead to having too many people on one flight. When an incident such as this occurs, the flight crew will as if there are any passengers on board who are willing to give up their seat for vouchers or minor compensation. If you’re one of the unlucky few who aren’t able to board the flight, you might be entitled to compensation from the airline.

Unfortunately for many, the amount of criteria that must be met in order to be eligible for denied boarding compensation can be a lot. The language can be difficult to comprehend, and some necessary items might have been lost along the way. Do not worry, we’re going to provide you a basic run down of what qualifies for compensation and what situations might not make you eligible.

Please note, these are the rules for EU regulations – US flights or international flights may have different rules regarding compensation. Check your flight to make sure whether it falls under EU rules or a different region as this can be a deciding factor of if you’re eligible for compensation or not. First and foremost, you must understand why you are being denied boarding.

Why Are You Being Denied?

One of the first questions you should ask when you are being denied boarding is why. Not only will this possibly help resolve the situation, but it will provide you a case against the airline if you are seeking out compensation. If it’s determined that it was an issue provided by the airline and something outside of your control, then you may be eligible. For example – if you booked your flight, got to the airport, and were ready to board only to be denied at the door because they overbooked and no more seats were available, you’d likely be eligible for compensation from the airline. Read what is overbooked flight compensation here.

Another possible reason for denied boarding could place you at fault. If the reason as to why you were denied boarding has something to do with actions you were partaking in that gave the airline reason to remove you, they may not be responsible for compensating you. If the airline cannot give a good reason as to why you were denied, you will be eligible for compensation.

What Factors Make You Eligible?

There are a few steps you might need to take in order to remain eligible for compensation. The first step will occur either on the plane or in the terminal. Typically, once you’re denied access to a flight, the airline will offer a voucher or a perk of sorts. If you accept this, you’re giving up your right to further compensation as the airline can claim that you have already been reimbursed. If the voucher is good enough, perhaps you’ll want to accept it as an adequate form of payment.

Keep your boarding pass and other records of the flight! If you have no proof that you were on the flight when the airline asks for it, you have no right to compensation. You must keep some form of confirmation number to prove that you purchased tickets to that flight.

Be sure to ask about reroutes or rescheduling a flight. Once you’re denied boarding, go up to the desk and ask about compensation right away. Many airlines will refund you the ticket price, but you might have to ask about the new flight possibility. If you arrive at your destination over three hours passed your original arrival time, you might still be eligible for compensation from the airline.

Finally, in order for this to count under the EU regulations for boarding denial compensation, your flight must have either been departing from an EU country or landing in one. Further more, the airliner you were flying with must be an EU operated airline.

Traveling can be stressful enough as it is, but if you’re denied boarding, you might be eligible for compensation for your wasted time. You can find best overbooked flight compensation companies here.