A former flight attendant has warned travelers in the US not to accept vouchers if they are ever involuntarily knocked off a full flight – because they are entitled to cold, hard cash.
Sandra Jeenie Kwon worked as a flight attendant at Emirates Airlines for two and a half years, learning quite a few tricks and aviation secrets – which she generously shares with her TikTok followers.
In a recent video, Sandra explains why passengers who are bumped into a flight and overbooked should never settle for a voucher when traveling to or from a location in the United States.
The expert: Sandra Jeenie Kwon worked as a flight attendant at Emirates Airlines for two and a half years
Good to know! In a recent TikTok video, she warned people traveling from the US not to take a voucher if they are involuntarily bumped by an overbooked flight.
“If you are flying in, to or from the United States and you are involuntarily knocked off your flight due to overbooking, please do not accept the voucher!” she says emphatically.
“The airlines are not only obliged to find you an alternative flight, but depending on the length of the delay, you are entitled to cash,” she continues.
The amount of cash depends on the length of the delay and whether it is domestic or international.
If your flight delay is less than an hour from a flight, unfortunately you are not entitled to cash.
If the delay before your rebooked domestic flight is one to two hours, you’re entitled to 200 percent of your one-way fare – for a maximum cash payout of $ 675.
Hold on: Travelers are entitled to cash for an involuntary bump, as well as a seat on another flight
Cash Back: They can get up to $ 1,350 depending on the length of the delay and the price of their original ticket
If the delay before your rebooked domestic flight is more than two hours, you’re entitled to 400 percent of your one-way fare – for a maximum cash payout of $ 1,350.
The deadlines are slightly longer for international flights.
If the delay before your re-booked international flight is one to four hours, you are entitled to 200 percent of your one-way fare – for a maximum cash payout of $ 675.
If the delay before your re-booked international flight is more than four hours, you’re entitled to 400 percent of your one-way fare – for a maximum cash payout of $ 1,350.
“Go get that money!” Sandra concludes the video.
In a conversation with DailyMail.com, Sandra noted that this is all public information available from the US Department of Transportation, as well as the terms and conditions of all US-based airlines – but most people don’t know what to look for.
She also said there are exceptions to this payout, which people can find on the government website.
“Go get that money!” Sandra concludes the video
In other videos, Sandra has revealed that flight attendants undergo defense training and that they are also allowed to bypass security lines at the airport.
Despite the benefits, she told In the Know that the job is more difficult than she imagined.
Most people who see flight attendants consider this job to be a glamorous jet setter and believe that we are just greeting people and serving food and drinks. This, frankly, is what I thought before I became a cabin crew, ”she said.
“The education that goes into it, the work we actually do, all the Karens and Chads we need to be of service – people find that fascinating,” she said.
Although she has achieved fame as a flight attendant on TikTok, Sandra actually quit the job a decade ago – but found that the flight attendant’s content was well received in the app.
“Now I’m forever pinned as that” cabin crew lady on TikTok, “which I find hilarious because I’ve not been a cabin crew for 10 years!” she said.