Involuntary denied boarding from an overbooked flight means $900 to $2,400 under s.20 of the APPR — paid in cash, not vouchers, within 48 hours.
| Arrival delay | Compensation |
|---|---|
| Less than 6 hours | $900 |
| 6–9 hours | $1,800 |
| 9 hours or more | $2,400 |
Under s.21, denied boarding compensation must be paid as money — cash, cheque or bank transfer. You only have to accept a voucher if it's worth more, never expires, and you agree in writing after being told the cash amount you were owed.
Compensation is owed for involuntary bumping due to overbooking. It is not owed when bumping was required for safety, was outside the airline's control, or was your fault (e.g. missing the check-in deadline).
The airline must pay as soon as feasible and no later than 48 hours after the denial. Our letter states this deadline clearly.
$900 for arriving less than 6 hours late, $1,800 for 6–9 hours, and $2,400 for 9 hours or more — the same for all airlines.
Only if the voucher is worth more than the cash, never expires, and you agree in writing after being told the cash amount. Otherwise they must pay cash.