Bumped From a Flight? Get Up to $800

[Diamond Princess]

Getting involuntarily bumped from your flight is annoying and frustrating, but it will soon pad your wallet. The U.S. Department of Transportation has ordered the airlines to double the amount they must pay passengers who are bumped from oversold flights. The payout? Up to $800. The exact amount passengers receive depends on several conditions.

CNN reports that the new rule covers more flights, including planes with as few as 30 passengers. (The current rule covers flights with 60 seats or more.) In addition to receiving the value of the ticket, which can be used for alternate transportation or refunded, passengers will receive up to $400 if they are rescheduled to reach their destination within two hours of their original arrival time, or four hours for international flights, and up to $800 if their arrival is delayed longer. The exact amount paid out is based on the cost of the ticket and the length of the delay.

The change goes into effect in May in an attempt to strengthen passenger protections. "It's hard to compensate for a missed family occasion or business opportunity, but this rule will ensure fliers are more fairly reimbursed for their inconvenience," said Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.