Is your flight from the Netherlands cancelled? 7 things to know about cancellation compensation

Is your flight from the Netherlands cancelled?

We’ve all been there at least once – a travel experience from hell. Your flight was cancelled and now you’re unsure what to do next. Some of you may have approached your airline for compensation in the past and for some of you, it has resulted in no luck or very low compensation.

If you’ve never considered applying for compensation, then this is the time. Here are 7 important things to know when it comes to cancellation compensation.

1. The airline doesn’t have to pay compensation if your flight is cancelled and they re-route you

There is a misconception that in any circumstance the airline must compensate you in the sad case of cancelled flights. Sadly, this isn’t strictly true if they meet certain criteria:

• If your flight was re-routed 14 days or more, there is no means to compensate you
• If they re-route you between 7 and 13 days until your flight, then as long as the alternative flight departs no more than 2 hours before, yet arrives less than 4 hours before your original flight lands, then there is no means to compensate you
• When your flight is re-routed less than 7 days before your flight, as long as the flight departs no more than 1 hour before, yet arrives less than 2 hours before your original flight lands, then there is no means to compensate you

See, it’s complicated stuff. Refer to the official EU site for more info.

2. Don’t expect the airline to pay up straight away

Like most things, businesses aren’t too keen on giving your money back. They will, because they have to, but they will be hoping that you give in first. However, if your claim fits certain criteria, they must compensate you, so keep trying. Travel compensation sites can help you with this, so you don’t have to do all the chasing! Either way, persevere.

3. Keep all of your evidence if your flight was cancelled

Okay, so you’ve just found out that your flight was cancelled. Make sure that you keep all the evidence of this! This also includes your boarding pass and any other travel documents that you may have. A flight cancellation can lead to additional expenses. For example, needing to pay for a hotel, or even missing a hotel check in on the other side. Make sure you have all of the details of this. You should always consult the airline to put you up into a hotel first. Also try and get them to pay for your meals (because ‘free’ food could really soften the blow a bit in this situation). 😉

You should note down your departure and arrival time if you are put on an alternative flight and try to request a refund straight away if possible.

4. Cancellation compensation claims expire – so make sure to report as soon as you can

Claims can become outdated, which is why it’s best to report any issues as soon as you get home and while it’s fresh in your mind. The amount of time that you have to claim varies so much and all depends on a number of things, such as: what country it happened in and where the airline headquarters is.

This will be dealt with on an individual basis, that’s why it’s advised to sort it sooner rather than later. Have an old claim? Still try! You never know.

5. You can be eligible for compensation in bad weather

I know this is what you were thinking, being such a weather orientated country and all! As long as the cancellation COULD have been prevented in bad weather, then you will be eligible for compensation. For example, if snow was not properly cleared from the runway when it could well have been or if the plane was not de-iced on a winters day, then they are at fault. So let’s just hope all of the planes are de-iced at Schiphol this winter, it’s looking cold already.

However, this is not applicable in extreme weather when the airline could not have done anything more. This also goes for other extreme situations such as medical emergencies, terrorism, airport strikes and so on.

No, thank you…

6. Brexit will affect your right to compensation if you’re departing or arriving in the UK

Yes, the dreaded Brexit talk again. The current EU regulations apply to EU countries, so this applies to the UK until 29th March 2019. After this period, as nothing is yet decided, it’s unsure what the new regulations will be or if they will remain the same. Bear this in mind and keep checking online in case you’re one of the unlucky ones to needs to claim just after this period. The way Brexit it going, you probably won’t find out until last minute. It looks like there will be transition period though, so your flight still could be covered under EU regulations for a while longer yet though.

7. Using compensation cancellation claim services is much easier

As airlines are likely to not always budge on compensating you, using specialised claims services are much easier. This way, it’s on them to chase down the payment and not you. Also, they are more informed on law and regulation and the airlines know that too. You’re actually more likely to get a payout (or a bigger payout) that way. What’s more, many claims companies such as Airhelp, won’t charge you for this service. They will take a small fee once they have won the claim (they helped you out and all), but if they lose the claim, you pay nothing. It’s a no-brainer really.

I’ve used claim services such as these twice in the past and have won both times. So it’s certainly the way to go.

So, there you have it, 7 things to know about cancellation compensation. Now you know if you’ll have a flighting chance of getting some of your money back. 😉

What are your experiences? Have you ever had a flight from the Netherlands cancelled? Let us know in the comments!