Flight refund

For many people, flying is the fastest and most convenient way to travel. Unfortunately, even the best-planned trip can be disrupted by a canceled or delayed flight. Many passengers are unaware that in such situations they are entitled to various rights, including a refund for their ticket or compensation for their flight. Although these concepts are often confused, in reality they refer to completely different benefits and have different rules for granting them.

Below, we explain step by step how a refund differs from compensation for a delayed or canceled flight (including charter flights), when you can receive it, and how to effectively claim your rights as a passenger. This will allow you to avoid misunderstandings and take full advantage of the benefits you are entitled to.

Refund for a canceled flight - when and how to get it?

A ticket refund is a full or partial recovery of the money that a passenger paid for a flight when they cannot use it due to the fault of the airline. This is not a form of compensation for inconvenience - the refund only applies to the ticket price.

Passengers can receive a refund both in the event of a flight cancellation and if they cancel their trip in certain situations provided for in the carrier's regulations or European Union law.

Situations in which a refund for an airline ticket is applicable

A ticket refund is applicable in various situations where there are problems with the flight being carried out according to the passenger's original travel plan. These include:

• Cancellation of a flight by the airline due to technical or operational problems;
• Significant delay in reaching the destination;
• Denied boarding due to overbooking.

Importantly, in some situations, airlines offer a replacement flight instead of a refund. You have the right to choose the form of compensation that suits you best.

Procedure for requesting a ticket refund

To receive a refund for your flight, you should contact the airline directly, preferably via a contact form or a dedicated complaints department. Prepare the necessary documents, such as your airline ticket, proof of purchase, reservation number, and evidence of flight cancellation or delay. Submit an official refund request in writing or electronically. Keep a copy of the request. After submitting your refund request, wait for the carrier's decision. Under European Union law, airlines usually have 7 days to refund your money in the event of a flight cancellation.

Flight compensation - how it differs from a ticket refund

Passengers are entitled to flight compensation if their flight has been canceled, delayed, or if they have been denied boarding due to overbooking. Unlike a ticket refund, compensation does not depend on the ticket price, but on the length of the flight. In the case of a flight delay, the length of the delay is also an important factor.

When are you entitled to compensation for a delayed or canceled flight?

According to Regulation EU 261/2004, you are entitled to compensation for a flight in the following situations:

• The delay in reaching your destination was more than 3 hours;
• The flight was canceled less than 14 days before the scheduled departure and passengers were informed of the cancellation within that time frame;
• Despite having a valid reservation, you were denied boarding;
• The delay or cancellation of the flight was not caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Extraordinary circumstances, i.e. when the air carrier is not obliged to pay compensation

Passenger rights specify the situations in which airlines are exempt from the obligation to pay compensation. These are extraordinary circumstances, i.e., events that the air carrier could not have prevented despite taking all reasonable measures. These include, for example, adverse weather conditions, riots, airport staff strikes, bird strikes, and technical faults that the airline was unable to prevent.

Importantly, it is up to the operating air carrier to prove that extraordinary circumstances (e.g., due to bad weather conditions) occurred. However, if your flight was delayed or canceled for reasons beyond its control, you are not entitled to compensation and the airline is not obliged to pay compensation.

Amount of compensation due depending on the length of the flight

The amount of compensation for a flight is specified in European Union regulations and depends mainly on the length of the flight. The following amounts apply:

• €250 - for flights up to 1,500 km;
• €400 for flights within the European Union of more than 1,500 km and other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km;
• €600 for flights of more than 3,500 km.

How to effectively claim compensation for a delayed or canceled flight?

To successfully claim compensation for a canceled or delayed flight, keep all documents - boarding pass, booking confirmation, and correspondence with the airline. Make a note of the exact departure and arrival times, as they will be crucial when claiming compensation for a delayed flight.

Unfortunately, the process of claiming compensation for a flight can be complicated and time-consuming. Airlines are reluctant to accept financial losses. Therefore, they usually resort to all possible means to avoid such a necessity. The average passenger lacks the time, determination, and legal knowledge needed to successfully claim compensation, especially in court. That is why it is better to trust the specialists at AirCashBack in this regard.

If you have experienced a canceled or delayed flight, contact us and join the thousands of satisfied passengers we have helped!

Refunds and compensation for flights – the main differences

Although both refunds and compensation for delayed or canceled flights are benefits related to problematic situations involving air travel, they are completely different in nature and purpose.

A flight refund is the return of the money that the passenger paid for the ticket if the flight was canceled or they were unable to use it due to the fault of the carrier. It is a form of compensation for a service that was not provided. It covers only the cost of the ticket and sometimes additional fees.

Compensation for a flight, on the other hand, is an additional form of compensation for inconveniences such as delays, cancellations, or denied boarding. It does not depend on the price of the ticket, but on the length of the route. Its purpose is to compensate the passenger for lost time and stress, not to reimburse expenses.

Can you claim both benefits at the same time?

In many cases, passengers are entitled to both flight compensation and a refund for their ticket. However, it is important that the flight was canceled or significantly delayed due to the fault of the carrier, and not due to extraordinary circumstances.

For example, if your flight was canceled on the day of departure due to the fault of the carrier and you did not decide to take the offered replacement flight, the airline is obliged to refund the cost of the ticket. In addition, because the flight was canceled less than 14 days before the scheduled trip, you are entitled to compensation. This is true even if you received tickets for a replacement flight from the carrier at the earliest possible date.

Refunds and compensation for a canceled flight are not mutually exclusive, as they serve completely different purposes.

Practical advice - don't forget your passenger rights!

In order to successfully claim a refund or compensation for your flight, it is essential to keep all documents confirming your trip and the circumstances of its disruption. Many complaints are rejected simply because the passenger is unable to provide basic evidence. The more evidence you have, the easier it will be to prove the airline's responsibility for the disruption to your journey.

It is worth keeping the following in particular:

• Airline ticket and booking confirmation;
• Boarding pass;
• Proof of payment;
• Information from the air carrier about the cancellation or delay of the flight;
• Photos of the departure board or confirmation of the actual arrival time (in the case of compensation for a delayed flight);
• Confirmation based on copies of receipts and bills for any expenses caused by the flight disruption.

If you want to exercise your passenger rights, remember the limitation periods for claims. For example, in Poland it is 1 year, but in other European Union countries it can be much longer, up to 3 years. It is therefore advisable to submit your claim as soon as possible so as not to lose your right to compensation for a canceled flight.

Refunds and compensation for delayed flights - frequently asked questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions related to refunds for airline tickets and compensation for disrupted flights.

When am I entitled to a refund for a canceled flight?

You are entitled to a refund for a canceled flight if the airline cancels the flight for reasons beyond the passenger's control. In this case, you can receive a full refund of the ticket price or consent to a replacement flight. Importantly, you have the right to choose the form of compensation yourself.

Are you always entitled to compensation for a delayed flight?

No, compensation for a delayed flight is only payable if the delay in reaching your destination exceeds 3 hours and is not due to extraordinary circumstances.

Does the location of the departure airport matter when claiming compensation for a flight?

Yes, compensation for a delayed or canceled flight is available to all passengers departing from an airport located in the European Union or flying to the EU on an airline registered in an EU member state.

How long does it take to process a flight compensation claim?

The processing time depends on the airline. According to EU regulations, the carrier should refund the money within 7 days of accepting the claim. In the case of compensation, the process may take several weeks. It is therefore advisable to keep copies of all necessary documents.

What should I do if the airline refuses to pay compensation?

If the airline refuses to pay compensation for your flight, use AirCashBack to get compensation of up to €600. Submit your claim on our website or click the button below.