DOT fines American Airlines over vouchers
DALLAS >> The government fined American Airlines for failing to tell passengers it costs up to $30 to redeem vouchers they get for giving up seats on oversold flights.
The Transportation Department said Monday it levied a $90,000 civil penalty against American.
It’s the first time the government has fined an airline for failing to disclose fees to use the vouchers.
Airlines are allowed to oversell flights on the theory that some passengers won’t show up. When there are too many ticketed passengers, airlines must ask for volunteers to give up their seats before bumping people who don’t want to get off the plane. Airlines must compensate bumped passengers.
