JET AWAY
Martin Lewis urges anyone who has ever missed a flight or had it cancelled to check they are not owed £100s back
These rules apply to any UK or EU 'regulated' flight within the last six years – or five in Scotland
MARTIN Lewis has urged anyone who has ever missed a flight or had it cancelled to check to see if they are owed hundreds of pounds in compensation.
The founder of Money Saving Expert, 52, said this doesn’t just apply to the summer just gone but can usually go back years.
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Passengers could get compensation on top of a refund if their flight was delayed or it was cancelled by the airline.
If the airline is at fault, and a flight is delayed by three hours or more, or if the airline cancelled it, then you could be due as much as £520 per person in compensation.
That's on top of any refund, alternative flight or reimbursement for food.
According to the , a woman called Celia emailed them three weeks ago, writing: "My Heathrow to Barcelona flight was cancelled at 9pm the day before due to 'operational constraints'.
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“We were put on the next flight. I used your tool, and have received an email today confirming a successful claim totalling £440 for me and my son. Thank you very much, I am delighted."
These rules apply to any UK or EU “regulated” flight within the last six years – or five in Scotland.
That means any flight leaving a UK or EU airport and any UK or EU airline arriving at a UK or EU airport.
In order to be eligible for delay compensation, the flight must have arrived more than three hours late.
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The key element here is when the doors open on arrival.
What are your rights if Air Traffic Control problems delay your flights?
For cancellation compensation, the key part is when it was cancelled and how late or early the alternative flight was.
If an airline does cancel, you’re entitled to a refund or alternative flight plus compensation – but only if the cancellation was within two weeks before departure and the alternative flight offered takes off earlier or later than the original.
This dictates when you’re due cancellation compensation.
This applies even if you opted for a refund, the website says.
The compensation is still based on the time of the alternative flight offered, even though you didn’t take it.
Be aware though that you are only due compensation if it was the airline’s fault.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you're flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven't used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn't have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of "extraordinary circumstances" but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you're unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Most issues are defined as being the airline’s fault, such as staff shortages due to illness or knock-on issues due to an earlier flight being delayed.
In cases of delays caused by extreme weather conditions or issues caused by third parties such as airport or air traffic control then it typically isn’t.
The Money Saving Expert website has free letter templates for flight delays and flight cancellation letters to help draft your complaint and help escalate it to the relevant resolution scheme if it’s rejected – so you don’t pay to claim, keeping all the compensation you might get.
Remember too, that if you are significantly delayed at an airport, the airline must pay or reimburse you for any food and drink and if necessary any overnight accommodation so you will need to keep any receipts.
The blog works with consumer advice centre Resolver to help draft free complaint letters.
You need to enter your personal details and a complaint reference number if you have already raised the issue.
Compensation is typically rewarded between 4 to 12 weeks.
Using this technology does not guarantee you will be compensation.
It is also worth noting that this is not the only way to get money back.
You can also submit your claim directly to the airline.
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However, airlines have different methods for claiming, including emailing or an online form.
With this is mind, you should always check what method your airline wants you to use before claiming.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Facebook group to share your tips and stories
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