A HOLIDAYMAKER has shared how they claimed hundreds of pounds after their flight was delayed by using tips from Martin Lewis.
The traveller, named Angela, found her flight to New York was delayed by over three hours due to a new plane part being needed.
The airline only offered reimbursement for food and drink, however she manged to claim back a whopping £540 in compensation.
The jet setter told readers of MoneySavingExpert how she managed to get money back.
She said: “It took 15 mins using your [MSE] template. I found out a few days later that I’d get £540 for me and my husband. Thank you.”
Angela said she got her money back using the free letter templates available on Martin Lewis’s blog.
The blog works with consumer advice centre Resolver to help draft free complaint letters.
You can always use the tool on the Resolver website, which is also free, if you do not want to use the one on MoneySavingExpert.
The free online tool helps draft the claim letter for you, tells you when you’ve been sent a response, and keeps track of your complaint.
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.
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.
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
How much you can get typically depends on the distance of you flight.
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 the “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.
For example, on a 1,500km flight that was delayed for three hours you might be able to receive up to £220.
This is the equivalent of flying from East Midlands to Marrakesh.
On flights between 1,500km and 3,500km you could receive up to £350.
Longer haul trips, greater than this distance, which are delayed for more than four hours could receive up to £540.
Before you claim you must ensure your flight is EU or UK regulated and has taken place in the last six years or five in Scotland.
This means any flight leaving a UK or EU airport and any UK or EU airline arriving in these regions.
You can still get compensation if the flight took place outside these areas however it may require more work.
It is always worth checking out the airline you travelled with complaints procedure for more information.
If you are claiming compensation for a delayed flight it must have been at least three hours late.
A note in MoneySavingExpert newsletter said: “The flight must have arrived over three hours late.
“When you took off is irrelevant – what counts is when the doors open on arrival.”
If your flight has been cancelled you can also get money back.
The blog said that you will always entitled to a choice of a refund or alternative flight.
It read: “Compensation on top may be due if the cancellation was within two weeks of your departure and the alternative flight offered takes off earlier or later than the original.
“Even if you chose a refund and not an alternative flight, compensation is still based on the time of the alternative flight offered.”
However it is important to remember that you are only due compensation if the issue was the airlines fault.
So for example, staff shortage would be the airlines fault but extreme weather would not be.
