Involuntary denied boarding

[bugsy]

My son and family (4 total) were denied boarding on recent oversold flight.I'm posting since my points were used. They were not given written explanation of denied boarding compensation nor offered cash compensation,but voucher's expiring in one year.Do readers believe there is basis to request cash compensation or non-expiring vouchers since the Federal over-sales rules were not followed.If so,how do suggest we proceed? Thanks.

[TheMiddleSeat · Accepted solution]

Southwest no longer oversells their flights.  IF people were bumped from a flight it was most likely because of an aircraft swap that left fewer seats available.  Here is info from US DOT's website:

Bumped passengers are NOT eligible for compensation in the following situations:

• Aircraft Change - A smaller plane is substituted for the larger one the airline originally planned on using due to operational or safety reasons

https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/bumping-oversales

I would expect a refund for the fare paid or to be put onto another flight and the voucher was a nice way of compensating you for the trouble.

--TheMiddleSeat

[bugsy]

Wow,middle seat.You are incorrect,this was oversold,overbooked or whatever term you prefer.They were given voucher worth 4 times fare since they were not able to arrive at destination within 4 hours of involuntary denied boarding.Problem for the family is they don't fly often enough to use the voucher within one year.They were not given written denied boarding regulations as required,that is the basis for post.

[TheMiddleSeat]

Nope, Southwest no longer oversells flights.  Sounds like the travelers got great compensation for their trouble.  Vouchers can be given to other people who may be able to use them before expiration.  You're welcome to send the codes to me.

--TheMiddleSeat

[bwallet]

Southwest will oversell a flight to accommodate a Customer of Size, but that would not be 4 seats.

No compensation if the change is made for operational reasons? Safety, yes. Operational reasons? That's pretty bogus. 

[jksobonya]

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@TheMiddleSeat wrote:

Nope, Southwest no longer oversells flights.  Sounds like the travelers got great compensation for their trouble.  Vouchers can be given to other people who may be able to use them before expiration.  You're welcome to send the codes to me.

--TheMiddleSeat

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Ditto!

— Jessica