I have learned so much from everyone. The one question I have is: Have ever gotten to the airport and found that you have no seat? What happens? You sit and wait for another flight? Is it better to get a non stop? I haven't traveled in a thousand years.

It is a theoretical occurrence, but in this day of electronic ticketing, you ought to be able to confirm your seat assignment 24 hours before departure and even print your own boarding pass, with some airlines (on your own computer, using that airline's website).

And if you can't, you start on the warpath with the airline to find out what solution they propose.

Best wishes,

Rex

I have watched the TV show Airline and it freaked me out. Tons of people show up for flights only to find out that they are out of luck...but that is Southwest.

Hi jm,

Stop watching TV. It rots one's mind.

The airlines do sometimes overbook flights. They ask for volunteers to wait for later flights or go on another airlines flight to the same destination. They often offer vouchers good towards your next flight if you volunteer. Once my flight to London on Air Lingus was overbooked and they asked us if we'd mind going on BA instead (turned out to be a direct flight whereas our original had a layover in Dublin, go it was great for us). So most people who really want to get on the flight do. In the rare occassions when you are forced to be bumped (put on a later flight) against your wishes, they usually compensate you with at least a free hotel room if the next flight isn't for many hours. Don't worry about it. And the most important thing you can do to avoid being bumped is to get to the airport early.

All airlines do overbooking to compensate no show passengers and the loss of money of flying with empty seats.
Some airlines like Lufthansa offer vouchers of different amounts, according to the distance to fly and how many hours you will arrive later at you final destinations. There are two kind of vouchers:

VDB: volountary denied boarding, when people is asked to disembark on volountary basis and to get onto a later flight against money compensation

DBC: denied boarding coupon, when you get at check-in and you find out that all seats of your flight have already been taken because the flight was overbooked.

Of course, when necessary, hotel, meals and transfers are offered on top.

Check with your airline which policy they apply.

TV was made for people like me ....I must watch!! LOL

In my opinion just dont travel with Aitalia We were treated very badly in all ways. Take my advice they lie lie and lie....

Usually, they will ask other passengers to give up their seat in return for a flight voucher and hotel room

When traveling solo, I always put my name down ahead of time for the bump. I have gotten extra free nights and meals in Rome and several free flights this way.

The problem is that there may not be enogh passegers willing to get bumped.

On another note, I had a flight late and missed my 9 PM connection. the next was 15 hours later. The counter help refused to get me a hotel. I got one myself and contacted the main office. They offered to either pay my $79 room or give me a free ticket for another round trip to anywhere in the US.