Compensation
Did you know that if your flight is delayed you are entitled to compensation of up to 600 EUR, and up to 3 years retroactively? And that if the travel agency does not deliver what it promised, you are entitled to a discount? This also applies to a dirty pool, insects in the room or poor-quality food. In short, whenever what you were originally promised is not delivered. Together we will look at what you are entitled to and how to deal with it.
Complaints about your holiday
If the room or anything else is not up to your expectations, do not hesitate to contact reception or your holiday rep. Many problems can arise from a simple misunderstanding, or are not hard to resolve. You should also consider what you actually bought – for a holiday in a 2-star hotel you can demand cleanliness and working facilities, but not your own butler :).
Sometimes, however, a travel agency buys worse rooms at a better price and hopes clients will not notice. If such a situation does occur, it is worth not letting it go and, besides leaving a review, addressing it by requesting a discount on the holiday, because it did not match what you paid for.
What can you complain about?
- A different hotel. Spoiled or inedible food.
- A lower number of stars. A missing or dirty pool. Mould and insects in the room
- Missing facilities.
- All Inclusive not honoured.
- Dirty beach, noise, smell, etc.
You have the right to complain within 30 days of the end of the holiday. It is important to document the problem as well as possible, take photos/videos and then contact the travel agency with your complaint. If they do not comply, you can turn to the Claimcloud service. It works so that you pay them nothing at all and they only take a percentage of the amount awarded. So you risk nothing.
In any case, do not hesitate to complain and insist on your rights. It only helps improve the quality of services in the travel industry.
Complaints in air transport
The claims arise from a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU and apply to all citizens of the European Union and to all flights. So even if you buy flights from Wrocław to Warsaw for 150 CZK and the flight is significantly delayed due to the carrier, you are entitled to compensation of 250 EUR.
You have to claim the compensation yourself; only rarely will an airline pay it on its own initiative, and I have never come across it myself. Low-cost airlines in particular will often reject a compensation request and rely on you not taking it to court. If they do, it is sensible to hand the case to Claimcloud. The whole service is free and only if they win the case do they take a commission from the money awarded. So you do not have to worry about anything. If they do not succeed, it will not cost you anything.
Delayed flight
Was your flight delayed by three hours or more? Under EU regulation you are entitled to financial compensation.
- 250 EUR if the flight is delayed by 3 hours or more and the flight distance is shorter than 1500 km
- 400 EUR if the flight is delayed by 3 hours and the flight is 1500 – 3500 km long
- 600 EUR if the flight is delayed by 3 hours or more and the flight distance is greater than 3500 km
The right to EU financial compensation is void in the case of so-called extraordinary circumstances, e.g. bad weather, an airport strike, unrest at the final destination or a bird strike. BEWARE, however, of airlines' excuses; they often deliberately misreport an extraordinary event so they do not have to pay compensation to passengers.
In addition, for a delay longer than two hours you are entitled to free refreshments.
Cancelled flight
If your flight was cancelled, you are entitled not only to a refund for the ticket but also to financial compensation under European Union regulation.
- 250 EUR for a flight up to 1,500 km
- 400 EUR for a flight within the EU from 1,500 km or a flight outside the EU of 1,500 – 3,500 km
- 600 EUR for a flight of 3,500 km and more
Denied boarding
If you were denied boarding against your will, you are entitled to financial compensation under European Union regulation.
- 250 EUR for a flight up to 1,500 km
- 400 EUR for a flight within the EU from 1,500 km or a flight outside the EU of 1,500 – 3,500 km
- 600 EUR for a flight of 3,500 km and more
The airline is also obliged to refund your ticket.
Lost or damaged baggage
If an air carrier loses or damages your baggage, it is obliged to compensate the resulting damage. A maximum amount you can claim from the airline is set here. It is 1,220 EUR per item of baggage.
BEWARE: The situation must be addressed immediately at the airport and a written claim for damages must then be filed with the airline within 7 days.