Allegiant Denied Boarding: What You Are Owed

Allegiant Air is subject to the same DOT Part 250 rules as every US carrier. When Allegiant involuntarily denies boarding (typically from an oversold flight), you are owed cash compensation:

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  Rebooked within 1 hour: no compensation.

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  Rebooked 1 to 2 hours late (domestic) or 1 to 4 hours (international): 200% of one-way fare, capped at $1,075.

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  Rebooked more than 2 hours late (domestic) or more than 4 hours (international): 400% of one-way fare, capped at $2,150.

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  Cash or check. Not a Trip Credit, not a voucher.

Allegiant's thin schedule amplifies denied boarding. If Allegiant cannot rebook within 1 hour, the compensation triggers. On most Allegiant routes, the next flight is the next day (or 2 days later), so the 400% bracket applies.

Allegiant runs high-density all-economy configurations and thin schedules. To maximize load factor, Allegiant oversells some flights based on historical no-show patterns. When more passengers show up than expected, involuntary denied boarding occurs.

Allegiant typically asks for volunteers first, offering Trip Credit (usually $200 to $400) in exchange for waiting for the next flight. If not enough volunteers step forward, involuntary denied boarding begins. For the volunteer vs involuntary distinction, see involuntary denied boarding vs voluntary bumping.

1. 1

   Photograph the gate display showing the scheduled departure.

2. 2

   Photograph your boarding pass with its posted boarding time.

3. 3

   Request the Form 250 in writing. Allegiant is required to provide it.

4. 4

   Note the gate agent's name and the supervisor if escalated.

5. 5

   Photograph the rebooking offer, including the new flight number and arrival time.

6. 6

   Ask for cash or check on the spot. The DOT requires immediate payment for involuntary denied boarding.

For the full gate documentation playbook, see what to document at the gate when denied boarding.

Allegiant's one-way fares are often low (often $40 to $150 base fare). That means the 200% or 400% multiplier often hits the cap ($1,075 or $2,150), because most denials involve 2+ hour waits to the next flight.

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  $40 one-way fare + 2 hour rebooking: 200% × $40 = $80 compensation.

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  $40 one-way fare + 4 hour rebooking (likely for Allegiant): 400% × $40 = $160 compensation.

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  $200 one-way fare + 4 hour rebooking: 400% × $200 = $800 compensation.

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  Scheduled rebooking 24+ hours later: the 400% cap at $2,150 usually triggers if the fare was $540+.

The compensation is on top of your ticket value (rebooking or refund). For how denied boarding caps compare across carriers, see the denied boarding rights 2026 guide.

Allegiant's first response to an involuntary denied boarding is often Trip Credit, not cash. Under DOT rules, you have the right to cash or check.

1. 1

   Refuse the Trip Credit and request cash in writing at the gate.

2. 2

   Ask for Form 250 documenting the denial and required compensation.

3. 3

   If cash is refused, file a DOT complaint immediately at transportation.gov/airconsumer.

4. 4

   Credit card chargeback is available if you paid by card.

5. 5

   Small claims court for amounts up to state limits (typically $5,000 to $10,000).

Based on BTS data, Allegiant's involuntary denied boarding rate has historically been higher than the US average. Recent monthly rates run 0.5 to 1.5 per 10,000 passengers, vs industry average of 0.2 to 0.6 per 10,000. Passengers on oversold short-haul routes (Las Vegas to Punta Gorda, St. Pete to Hartford, etc.) are most at risk.

For comparison, see the denied boarding rights winter 2026 edition and the denied boarding after upgrade offer guide.

Because Allegiant does not have interline agreements, rebooking is Allegiant-only. The next Allegiant flight may be 1, 2, or 3 days later depending on the route schedule. If the rebooking is unacceptable, you can:

1. 1

   Accept the denied boarding compensation at the gate.

2. 2

   Refund the ticket back to original payment method.

3. 3

   Book on a competitor using the refund + compensation amount.

Allegiant denied you boarding? Check your compensation in 30 seconds. We pull the DOT formula, demand cash, and file a DOT complaint if Allegiant refuses. Flat $19 for US denied boarding claims. For the full framework, see the denied boarding compensation pillar.