I got £1,040 paid into my bank account with Martin Lewis flight compensation tip
A TRAVELLER has shared how they bagged £1,040 in flight delay compensation after following Martin Lewis’ advice.
It came as the founder of MoneySavingExpert.com reminded holidaymakers to check if they qualified for the cash in the latest episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast.
A traveller wrote to Martin Lewis and said: “I didn’t realise I could go back up to six years to reclaim flight delay compensation.
“I was delayed long-haul from Manchester to Brisbane, Australia, in January 2020, arriving 11 hours late.
“I followed your guidance and claimed direct with Singapore Airlines, and three weeks later, £1,040 was paid into my bank account for me and my wife.”
In response, Martin Lewis said: “Brilliant result. But just worth noting, if you had a flight delay in the past and there’s some websites where you can check past flight delays times…
“You might actually be owed some money from the airline.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
Under UK law, airlines must compensate passengers if their flights arrive at their destinations more than three hours late.
We’ve explained who’s eligible and how to check if you’ve qualified for flight delay compensation below.
Who’s eligible for flight delay compensation?
Most passengers on UK and EU-regulated flights are entitled to compensation if their flight arrives at their destination more than three hours behind schedule.
Customers can back-claim compensation for flights in the past six years (or five years in Scotland).
You’ll only qualify for compensation if the reason for the delay was the airline’s fault.
Delays resulting from staffing shortages and technical issues can be blamed directly on the airline.
You won’t be entitled to compensation if the flight was delayed due to events outside the airline’s control, such as weather and strikes by airport staff.
Your airline isn’t required to tell passengers they could be eligible for compensation, so you’ll always have to look into this yourself.
Will my travel insurance cover flight delays?
IF you can't claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
It’s wise to check your travel insurance covers flight delays if you’re not flying within the UK/EU or with a UK or European airline, as you might not qualify for the compensation above.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
How much can I get?
The exact amount of compensation you could be eligible for will depend on the distance you travelled and the number of hours you were delayed.
You will not be eligible for any compensation if the delay was less than four hours.
However, fixed flight delay compensation is set at the following levels:
- Short haul (0-1,500km) flights: £220
- Medium haul (1,500km-3,500km) flights: £350
- Long haul (3,500km+) flights delayed three to four hours: £260
- Long haul (3,500km+) flights delayed four or more hours: £520
Your arrival time is deemed to be when at least one of the plane doors is opened at your intended destination.
Can I get compensation for cancelled flights?
If your flight was cancelled more than 14 days before travel, you have the right to request a full refund or alternative route, but you are not entitled to compensation on top of your refund or reroute
However, if your flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure and it was the airline’s fault, you could also be due £100s in compensation.
If your flight is cancelled between zero and 14 days before departure, each passenger could be entitled to the following fixed level of compensation:
- Short haul (0-1,500km) flights: £110-£120
- Medium haul (1,500km-3,500km) flights: £175-£350
- Long haul (3,500km+) flights: £260-£520
To back flight delay and cancellation compensation, you must actively make a claim.
How do I secure the compensation I’m owed?
To claim the compensation owed, it’s best to complain directly to your airline.
You might be required to email or fill in an online form to get the ball rolling.
For example, British Airways customers can fill in a compensation form in the “Manage My Booking” section of the airline’s website.
EasyJet customers can also fill in a simple online compensation request form by visiting www.easyjet.com/en/claim/EU261.
If you do find this too complicated, you can also make a claim with external complaints tools.
For example, MoneySavingExpert.com offers a free flight compensation tool.
You can access this by visiting www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/flight-delay-compensation/#resolvertool.
How do I find the best travel insurance deals?
TRAVEL insurance can be purchased from travel agents and holiday companies when you book, but there is no obligation to take this.
Banks, supermarkets and insurance companies also offer travel cover and a comparison website can help you find the best product for your needs.
You will need to provide the names and ages of all travellers, the destination and any medical conditions.
Results can then be filtered based on the level of cover and the excess you want to pay.
You can also sort policies by price to find cheap travel insurance, but check what is covered, as the lowest-cost deals may not always provide the best protection for you.
It may also be worth using an insurance broker if you have more complex needs.
You can find a regulated insurance broker on the British Brokers Association website by visiting www.biba.org.uk/find-insurance/.
Also, check your current account, as some banks may offer travel insurance automatically to their customers.
And remember, always take out your travel insurance as soon as you book a holiday.
This way, you can rest easy knowing you’ll be covered if something were to happen that prevented you from travelling at a later date.