By Flight Odyssey
Being owed does not mean just cash. It can include a refund if you stop traveling, care like meals or hotels while waiting, compensation for long delays, or rerouting to reach your destination.
Departure delay matters less than arrival delay. What counts is how late you reached your final destination on the booking. A short delay can cause a missed connection and a very late arrival.
Save your booking and boarding pass. Screenshot delay messages. Photograph the airport board. Note the reason given. Keep food and hotel receipts. Write down scheduled and actual times.
Airlines classify delays carefully. Weather and air traffic control are common labels. Technical and operational issues matter more for compensation. Just record what they say and ask later in writing.
Different rules apply in different regions. EU-style rules apply on many Europe-related flights. UK rules apply on UK-covered routes. US rules focus more on refunds than cash compensation.
A long delay can become a cancellation if rerouting causes a very late arrival. Cancellations often give stronger choices like refunds or rerouting. Short-notice cancellations can also qualify.
Airlines often deny claims by saying the delay was outside their control. Sometimes that is valid. Sometimes it is overused. Always ask for the exact reason in writing.
When a flight is cancelled, you must choose between continuing travel or getting a refund. Accepting a voucher or rebook can quietly waive rights. Always read before clicking “accept changes.”
Stop guessing and stop accepting the wrong offer. Read the full guide and use the claim template to recover your money with confidence. Swipe Up!