My flight is overbooked and I may be invulontarily bumped, what actions should I take to be compensated?
I received an email saying my flight had been overbooked and for people to call and voluntarily be bumped off. As I need the flight no matter what, because it is the last day I can legally stay in EU without visa, I'm attempting to leave via my booked flight. If by chance I'm forced off or denied boarding, what actions should I take from there? I have no money so I would be pretty screwed up, I'm so low on funds I have to stay at the airport overnight just so I won't miss my flight due to being unable to afford a hotel. Please give me appropriate information that details what I'm entitled to!
Dispute it
Deal with it. Get over yourself or pick another airlines
Ask for as much money as you can get voluntary bump yourself. If they are stingy then ask for a ticket for a flight elsewhere another time as well.
Get there early- you won't be bumped. They'll either up the offer until enough people volunteer, or they'll bump the last people to arrive at the airport.
Because of your visa situation, you will not be bumped
Call them and say that you WILL be there early, and WILL show evidence of your situation. Get the NAMES of the people you speak with - be polite, and thank them BY NAME for helping. And then if things go bad - you have their name. You need to make it clear that bumping you puts you at legal risk - and that you will do whatever is asked, as long as you can fly out RIGHT THEN. You do not want compensation - you want to LEAVE. Any compensation they offer is NOTHING compared to being in legal jeopardy.
Do as others have said, speak with the airline. I would do it as soon as possible. It should all be worked out.
If you still have any concerns, contact your embassy in the country you are in. Tell them the situation and ask them what to do.
Again, it is highly unlikely that you will be bumped if they are aware of your situation.
Odds are that they will get enough volunteers or no shows and won't bump anyone off the flight.
It wouldn't hurt to let them know that you legally have to leave the country, since they will probably be on the hook to get you home anyone.
When is the next flight they would move you to? If it is the same day then you are worrying about nothing.
What you got is a "standard" email. Many airlines have now started to be a bit more proactive asking for volunteers up front instead of making a scene at the airport. In your case with your legal status issues no amount of compensation should persuade you to volunteer to be bumped.
It is likely that this will generate enough volunteers that you don't have to worry. However, to minimize the chances of being bumped be sure you check in as early as possible. As one method used is the last person to check in is the first people to get bumped. You should also be sure you are at the airport on time. It is recommended to arrive 3 hours early for an International Flight. If you arrive just a bit earlier that would be better.
In the case that you are actually bumped, you can try to explain your situation and hopefully they would move onto someone else.
If that doesn't work then in the EU you would be entitled to specific compensation based on the regulations that are in part based on the length of the delay. If you are traveling on a non EU airline to a Non EU country you may have other compensation allowances. But you will probably end up staying in the airport until your next flight.
If you are truly worried about it you may want to contact the airline to see if they can put you on an earlier flight.
Just remember the airline is not responsible for your legal status in a Country. So if you run into any issues with immigration this is on you. This is why you NEVER should schedule yourself to leave on the last possible day, you should have given yourself 1-2 days buffer in case something like this does happen.
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