How to Avoid Getting Bumped From a Flight

Airline flights are getting more and more crowded as carriers such as United, American, Delta and other airlines try to maximize their profits. To make sure that each flight leaves the gate full of passengers, airlines overbook most flights, allowing for a certain percentage of no-shows. Occasionally, more passengers arrive at the gate than there are seats on the plane. To minimize the chances that you'll be one of the passengers left behind, follow the tips below.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Reserve seat assignments in advance. The easiest thing that you can do to avoid being bumped from a flight is to reserve your seat assignments when you make your flight reservations. Assignments are held until 30 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights and until one hour prior to departure on international flights.

2. Reconfirm your reservations. Call your travel agent or the airline within 30 days of your departure to verify the correct departure time and to reconfirm your seat assignments. Occasionally when the airline changes the type of aircraft it uses on a flight, the seat assignments will be dropped.

3. Join the airline's frequent traveler program. If you're not already a member, consider joining the airline's frequent traveler program. You'll be less likely to get bumped than a non-member. Plus you'll accumulate miles towards free travel.

4. Arrive early. Make sure that you check in and arrive at the gate well in advance of the 30-minute deadline (one hour for international flights). If you haven't checked in by then, your seat assignments are likely to be given to another passenger.