Flight attendant warns US travelers NOT to take vouchers if they get bumped from a full flight

A former flight attendant has warned travelers in the US not to take vouchers if they are ever involuntarily bumped from a full flight — because they’re entitled to cold, hard cash.

Sandra Jeenie Kwon spent two-and-half years working as a flight attendant for Emirates Airlines, and learned quite a few tricks and airline secrets on the job — which she generously shares with her TikTok followers.  

In one recent video, Sandra breaks down why passengers who get bumped from and overbooked flight should never settle for a voucher when traveling to or from a location in the United States.

The expert: Sandra Jeenie Kwon spent two-and-half years working as a flight attendant for Emirates Airlines

In a recent TikTok video, she warned people traveling from the US not to take a voucher if they get involuntarily bumped from an overbooked flight

In a recent TikTok video, she warned people traveling from the US not to take a voucher if they get involuntarily bumped from an overbooked flight

Good to know! In a recent TikTok video, she warned people traveling from the US not to take a voucher if they get involuntarily bumped from an overbooked flight

‘If you are flying within, to, or from the United States and you are involuntarily bumped off your flight due to an overbooking, don’t accept the voucher!’ she says emphatically.

‘Not only are the airlines required to find you an alternative flight, but depending on the length of the delay, you are entitled to cash,’ she goes on.

The amount of cash is dependent on the length of the delay, as well as whether it is domestic or international.

Unfortunately, if your delay after being bumped from any flight is under an hour, there is no cash entitlement.

If the delay before your re-booked domestic flight is one to two hours, you are entitled to 200 per cent of your one-way fare — for a maximum cash payout of $675.

Hold out: Travelers are entitled to cash for an involuntary bump, as well as a seat on another flight

Hold out: 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 delay length and the price of their original ticket

Cash back: They can get up to $1,350 depending on the delay length and the price of their original ticket

If the delay before your re-booked domestic flight is more than two hours, you are entitled to 400 per cent of your one-way fare — for a maximum cash payout of $1,350. 

The time frames are a bit longer for international flights.  

If the delay before your re-booked international flight is one to four hours, you are entitled to 200 per cent 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 are entitled to 400 per cent of your one-way fare — for a maximum cash payout of $1,350. 

‘Go get that cash!’ Sandra concludes the video. 

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Sandra noted that this is all public information available from the US Department of Transportation, as well as in the terms and conditions of all the US based airline companies — but most people don’t know to look for it. 

She also said that there are exceptions to this payout, which people can find on the government website.

'Go get that cash!' Sandra concludes the video

‘Go get that cash!’ Sandra concludes the video

In other videos, Sandra has revealed that flight attendants undergo defensive training, and they also get to skip security lines at the airport.

Despite the perks, though, she told In the Know that the job is tougher than she imagined. 

‘Most people when they see flight attendants think of this job as a glamorous jet setter and believe all we do is greet and serve passengers food and drinks. This is honestly what I thought, too, before I became cabin crew,’ she said.  

‘The training involved, the work we actually do, all the Karens and Chads we need to service — people find that fascinating,’ she said.

Though she has earned fame on TikTok for being a flight attendance, Sandra actually quit the job a decade ago — but found that the flight attendant content was well-received on the app.

‘Now I’m forever pegged as that “cabin crew lady on TikTok,” which I find hilarious because I haven’t been cabin crew for 10 years!’ she said.