A SAVVY holidaymaker has shared how they claimed more than £1,000 after their flight was cancelled thanks to advice from Martin Lewis.
Passenger Steve was due to fly from Miami to London but got the terrible news via text on the way to the airport.
Steve had his claims denied twice by the airline, but he managed to get his £1,040 back thanks to a tip he saw on MSE.
The jet setter told readers of MoneySavingExpert how he managed to get his money back.
Steve wrote: “We were due to fly from Miami to London but got a text on the way to the airport cancelling the flight.
“We put a claim in but got denied twice on the grounds of ‘aircraft damage’.
“After a bit of hunting around, we found a legal test case which contradicted the airline’s position.
“After seeing that, it had no choice and paid out in full, totalling £1,040. Thanks.”
Money Saving Expert‘s latest newsletter explained that many travellers might not know their legal right to claim between £110 and £520 in compensation each if the airline is at fault.
And that is on top of any refund, alternative flight or food reimbursement.
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 your flight.
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.
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.
