Overbooked Flights

  As every frequent flyer knows, a confirmed reservation doesn't necessarily mean a seat

  on the plane. All major airlines overbook their flights – they keep selling tickets even after a

  flight is "sold out".

  At one time, airlines "bumped" passengers without regard to how urgently they had to get

  to their destinations. Today, however, DOT (Department of Transportation) rules require

  airline to first ask for volunteers who, for some compensation, will give their seats. This  

  may be for cash or a free ticket, and usually for a guaranteed seat on the next flight to

  the traveler's destination.  Only when there aren't enough volunteers is a passenger

  bumped involuntarily.