You have just experienced a flight cancellation, and to make matters worse, the airline refuses to pay for your hotel and food. We understand that this situation is very frustrating and stressful, although it can inevitably happen from time to time. If this is your case, arm yourself with patience and don’t worry. We will tell you what to do if you find yourself in this situation and how to claim your flight.
The airline refuses to pay for the hotel and food after the flight cancellation: first, know your rights as a passenger
First of all, it is essential that you are clear about your rights as a passenger in case of a flight cancellation. According to European regulation EC261/2004, if your flight has been cancelled and you meet certain criteria, the airline is required to provide you with assistance, which can include accommodation and meals, depending on the length of the wait and the distance of your flight. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if they claim they have no responsibility due to a fortuitous cause or occurrence. The fact is that the regulations are very clear. If they don’t take care of you when you ask for help, read on to find out what to do.
Review the conditions of the transport contract
Before making a claim, it’s a good idea to calmly review the conditions of your ticket, which represents the airline’s transport contract. Make sure to check if the airline has clauses that may exempt them from any responsibility in case of cancellation. If so, don’t worry: such clauses are subject to consumer protection regulations.
Ask for help immediately and put it in writing
If the airline refuses to give you accommodation or food after the cancellation of your flight, ask for help from customer service or airline staff at the airport. Explain your situation clearly and politely. However, make sure that all this is recorded. As we will see now, this part is crucial to be able to claim later.
Document everything that happens and is said
It is important to document absolutely all relevant details of the cancellation, including the date and time, flight number, conversations with airline staff, and any additional expenses you have incurred. This will help support your claim if you need to file one. And this is something we highly recommend because airlines often take advantage of passengers’ lack of knowledge to avoid compliance on more than one occasion.
File a complaint first
If the airline persists in its refusal to provide you with assistance, it’s time to file an official complaint with the airline. Provide them with all relevant details and attach any documents to support your claim. Also, request a written response and keep an organized record. Usually, some time later, you will have a favorable response.
Contact a regulatory body
If your attempts to resolve the issue directly with the airline fail, it is time to escalate the conflict. If the compensation does not seem sufficient, adequate, or doesn’t exist at all, you can claim your flight. Doing so with us is free, as we are only paid if we win.
What else can I do if the airline refuses to pay?
If, despite your claims, the airline still refuses to pay for hotel and maintenance costs, don’t give up. Keep in mind that as a passenger, you have rights and it is the airline’s responsibility to respect them. From our experience, it is essential to persevere and be patient. Don’t resign yourself to the airline’s refusal, as they often take advantage of a lack of time, desire, or resources to demand what is yours. Remember that as a passenger, you have rights and it is the airline’s responsibility to respect them. If this is not the case and it is impossible to understand a claim, it is time to claim your flight and be compensated for the cancellation.
