Egor Karpovich
April 8, 2025
BYN
Overbooking is a common practice. It can be encountered both in hotels and in aviation. If you are hearing this term for the first time, we sincerely hope that you never encounter it in practice. But forewarned is forearmed, so it is important to know your rights and ways to protect your interests. We will tell you.
Overbooking of hotels occurs when a hotel accepts more reservations than it has available. This can result in you being denied accommodation, even if you have booked the hotel in advance. If this happens, you are entitled to compensation: many hotels offer free accommodation at another hotel, as well as cover additional transportation costs. To avoid such situations, search for hotels and book them through reliable hotel booking services .
Overbooking in air travel is a situation when an airline sells more tickets than the number of seats on board. If you are not allowed to board a plane when you already have a ticket , you can count on compensation. Airlines are obliged to offer alternative travel options, so do not be shy - demand what you are entitled to. This may be boarding the next plane, and compensation. And if the next flight you need is not soon, then you can still count on food or even a hotel. It all depends on the waiting time.
If you are affected by overbooking, you may be entitled to a refund for your flight ticket or hotel reservation . If you were unable to use the service, you can apply for a refund to the company where you purchased the ticket or reservation.
The rights of a passenger in case of overbooking are clearly spelled out in the laws of most countries. You have the right to:
The path to protecting your rights begins with knowing them. Know your rights before you search for cheap flights across all airlines .
If you are faced with overbooking, the first thing to do is contact the airline or hotel. Clarify your rights and possible ways to resolve the problem. Request compensation and collect all documents confirming your booking. If you are denied compensation, you can contact the consumer protection service.
To reduce the risk of overbooking, follow a few simple tips:
Thus, knowing your rights and taking preventive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of unpleasant situations related to overbooking. Do not forget that your interests can and should be protected. Use hotel search and flight search through trusted resources to avoid unnecessary troubles during the trip.