If you are waiting to depart on your flight and then get informed that the flight is overbooked and you might need to stay behind till the next possible flight the only good side is that you might get compensated from the airline to do so with cash or a travel voucher, depending on the airline.

Don't miss your connecting flight

Be sure you do not miss your connecting flight now too due to the delay from the overbooking. It’s possible that you can get refunded for your ticket or even get alternative transport, the airline would provide you with snacks and drinks.

Confirmation in writing

Be sure to get confirmation in writing from the airline that your flight booking was changed and why it was changed and be sure to keep all your receipts for expenses and insist on refreshments and food.

Check in on time

Always be sure that you check in on time so you would still qualify for compensation in the case of overbooking of a flight. If you can only depart the following and the airline needs to provide you with free accommodation and pay for the transportation to and from the hotel and back to the airport.

Denied boarding

Unfortunately, this does happen more than you might think as airlines would see more seats than what they have available, hoping that some passengers will simply not show up. You are entitled to compensation immediately once you are denied boarding, your travel insurance company can possibly help you claim in the case you were not compensated.

Some airlines would ask for volunteers, surrendering your seat can possibly mean you surrender your right to compensation however you would probably be eligible for an alternative flight or refund.