United and American Airlines recently announced they are now limiting the amount of compensation offered to passengers who agree to be bumped from their flights in oversold situations. Gate agents have been instructed to offer no more than a $300 voucher for domestic flights, $500 for transcontinental or $800 for flights to Alaska, Hawaii or international destinations from American Airlines. Those flying on United Airlines will only be offered a free domestic coach ticket instead of a dollar-amount voucher, which can often be more flexible to passengers on domestic flights who volunteer to give up a seat. The ticket remains valid for one year. Other airlines are likely to follow suit.

The proportion of people denied boarding is down so far this year amid the travel slump. But that will change as airlines continue to pare down flights to accurately reflect passenger demand.

Gate agents still have some flexibility to make special offers. But the barter system that fliers have been used to may become the exception rather than the rule. The government sets minimum compensation levels that airlines
must offer to passengers that are bumped against their will. The rules
specify that if the airline can get you to your destination no more than two hours later than expected, or no more than four hours late for international flights, then the compensation is the amount of the fare, up to $200. If the carrier misses that deadline, the payoff doubles to $400.