Beat Overbooking: Arrive Early at the Airport This Holiday Season
With the Christmas and New Year rush in full swing, many airlines are dealing with overbooking—selling more tickets than seats available. Most follow a "first come, first served" policy, so even if you arrive before check-in closes, latecomers risk getting bumped to a later flight if the plane fills up.
Arrive Early to Secure Your Spot
To stay safe, head to the airport at least 2 hours early for domestic flights and 3 hours early for international ones. This gives you plenty of time to check in and grab your seat before the plane hits capacity.
Business Class Travelers: Extra Caution Needed
Business class passengers have reported downgrades at check-in or even at the gate. In overbooking situations, airlines prioritize based on ticket class, frequent flyer status, and arrival time. To protect your upgrade:
- Contact the airline proactively via phone, email, or their office.
- Discuss options like switching to a later flight, compensation for downgrades, refunds, or other solutions—before or after your trip.
Tip from Minh Hien Dao
