Know Your Rights on Flights
Airlines are experiencing turbulence over overbooking policies. Here’s what you need to know when your flight is oversold.
 
 
When it comes to air travel, long lines, delays, lost baggage and bumpy flights happen. So do overbooked flights. But no one expects to suffer physical harm when they balk at giving up their seat.
But you’re on thin ice if you don’t follow the airline’s rules. When you book a flight, you agree to the rules in the airline’s contract of carriage, which can’t be negotiated. “If you do something that offends or upsets them, or fail to follow the directions of the flight crew, you can be denied boarding or removed from the plane,” says Arthur Wolk, a Philadelphia-based aviation lawyer. For more details about your rights, check the Department of Transportation’s consumer guide to air travel.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
 
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

- 
 Dow, S&P 500 Slip on December Rate Cut Worries, Nvidia Boosts Nasdaq: Stock Market Today Dow, S&P 500 Slip on December Rate Cut Worries, Nvidia Boosts Nasdaq: Stock Market TodayNvidia became the first company ever to boast a $5 trillion market cap, but it wasn't enough to lift the Dow and the S&P 500. 
- 
 Where You Choose to Stash $100k Now Comes with a Big Opportunity Cost Where You Choose to Stash $100k Now Comes with a Big Opportunity CostThe Fed recently cut rates. Here's where to maximize your savings while rates remain higher. 
- 
 Child-Free Cruises Perfect For Your Retirement Celebration Child-Free Cruises Perfect For Your Retirement CelebrationHow to find a bespoke ocean or river vacation for adults. Many of these options are smaller, charming river cruises, expeditions, or niche experiences. 
- 
 Noctourism: The New Travel Trend For Your Next Trip Noctourism: The New Travel Trend For Your Next Trip"Noctourism" is a new trend of building travel and vacations around events and plans that take place at night. Take a look at some inspiring noctourism ideas. 
- 
 My Husband and I Retired at 67 With $3.2 Million, But He's Frugal About Travel. How Can I Convince Him to Loosen Up? My Husband and I Retired at 67 With $3.2 Million, But He's Frugal About Travel. How Can I Convince Him to Loosen Up?We asked financial planning experts for advice. 
- 
 Cruise Lines Sue to Block Hawaii’s New Climate Tourism Tax Cruise Lines Sue to Block Hawaii’s New Climate Tourism TaxState Tax Your vacation to the Aloha State could come at a higher price tag next year. Here’s why. 
- 
 How to Find the Best Alternatives to Popular Travel Destinations How to Find the Best Alternatives to Popular Travel DestinationsYou don’t have to bust your budget or battle big crowds to enjoy pristine natural beauty, rich culture, authentic cuisine and more. 
- 
 Seven Golf Course Destinations to Vacation Away from the Crowds Seven Golf Course Destinations to Vacation Away from the CrowdsBeat the growing crowds of new golfers at these golf course destinations off the beaten path. 
- 
 Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online Bargains Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices. 
- 
 The United and JetBlue Partnership: Everything We Know About Blue Sky So Far The United and JetBlue Partnership: Everything We Know About Blue Sky So FarDOT approves Blue Sky, the United and JetBlue partnership that will give frequent fliers more ways to earn and use miles. Here's what you need to know.