Checklist: How to successfully claim your flight compensation

Flight delays and cancellations are annoying, but as a passenger you have rights! According to the EU Passenger Rights Regulation 261/2004, you are entitled to compensation if your flight is significantly delayed, cancelled or overbooked. However, many passengers are unsure how to enforce these claims. In this article, we offer you a practical checklist that you can use to successfully claim your flight compensation step by step.

Check whether you are entitled to compensation

Before you claim compensation, you should make sure that you are entitled to it in the first place. The EU Passenger Rights Regulation applies to:

1. Delays: Your flight was delayed by more than three hours.
2. Cancellations: Your flight was cancelled less than 14 days before departure.
3. Overbooking: You were unable to board as planned because the flight was overbooked.

The amount of compensation depends on the flight route:

• EUR 250 for flights up to 1,500 km
  EUR 400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km and intra-European flights over 3,500 km
  EUR 600 for flights over 3,500 km (origin or destination outside the EU)

Collect all important documents and information

In order to assert your claim for compensation, you will need a number of documents and information:

1. 1. Flight tickets and booking confirmation: Keep your boarding passes and the confirmation of your booking. These documents are important in order to assert your claims.
   2. Confirmation of delay or cancellation: Ask the airline for written confirmation of the delay or cancellation. This will make it easier for you to enforce your claims.
   3. Receipts for additional expenses: If you had additional costs for meals, hotel accommodation or alternative means of transport due to the delay or cancellation, keep the receipts. These can also be reimbursed.
      
      

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Contact the airline

1. Write a formal letter: In your letter, you should state the exact duration of the delay or the reason for the cancellation. Enclose all relevant documents (flight tickets, confirmations, receipts).
2. Set a deadline: Give the airline a clear deadline by which it should respond to your claim (e.g. 14 or 21 days).
3. Be persistent: In many cases, airlines try to avoid or delay payments. Remain persistent and follow up if you do not receive a response within the deadline.

Use the support of a legal service provider

If the airline does not respond or rejects your claim, it may be advisable to seek professional help. A legal service provider such as Captain Frank will take over the communication with the airline for you and, if necessary, enforce your claims in court.

Advantages of a legal service provider:

1. No effort on your part: the entire process, from the examination of your case to the enforcement of your rights, is taken care of for you.
2. No upfront costs: Many service providers work on a success basis, so you only pay a commission if they are successful.
3. Higher success rate: thanks to the experience and expertise of a service provider, your chances of receiving compensation increase.

Wait for your payout

As soon as the airline agrees to your claim or a court decides in your favour, the compensation will be transferred directly to your account. Depending on the airline and the procedure, this can take several weeks to months. Be patient and keep an eye on the communication.

Conclusion:

Enforcing air passenger rights can be time-consuming and complicated, but with the right approach and thorough preparation, the chances are good that you will receive your compensation. Use our checklist to take a systematic approach and don't be afraid to seek professional help if you run into difficulties.

Ready to get your compensation?