Denied boarding

When you travel on official business using a City Pair Program contract fare, the airline treats you like any other passenger. That means the airline may deny you boarding, or “bump” you, if more passengers are scheduled to fly than there are available seats. Airlines use two types of bumping: voluntary and involuntary.

To avoid being bumped from a flight, you might try to:

• Sign up for each airlines’ frequent flyer program and add them to your profile.
• Add your TSA PreCheck number to your profile.
• Select a seat assignment in advance of your flight.
• Check in to your flight on time.
• Have your ticket ready before you arrive at the airport.
• Arrive at the departure gate on time and board when your group is called.

Voluntary bumping

With voluntary bumping, you agree to give up your seat for a later flight in exchange for compensation, usually a flight voucher. Please follow the policy guidance in the FTR 301-10.123 to understand when you can keep the flight voucher for personal use.

Involuntary bumping

If the airline cannot find enough volunteers, it will choose passengers to bump. This is called involuntary bumping. Airlines typically bump passengers who didn’t check in or arrive at the gate on time first.

If the airline bumps you involuntarily, it may issue you denied boarding compensation, or DBC. This compensation belongs to the government, not to you. Read FTR 301-10.122 for what to do if you receive a DBC. 

For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bumping & Oversales and Airline Consumers’ Rights FAQ pages.