Airline Ticket Refund
A flight ticket refund is a procedure that allows passengers to receive a full or partial reimbursement of the purchased airfare and applies in cases of flight cancellation or denied boarding due to overbooking. It is usually issued automatically by the airline using the same payment method used to purchase the ticket. However, if the airline offers a voucher instead of a direct refund, the passenger has the right to refuse it and request a monetary refund by contacting the airline directly.
Passenger protection regulations
The regulations that protect air passengers and ensure refunds and compensation are:
- EU Regulation No. 261 of 2004
- Montreal Convention of 28 May 1999
- Italian Navigation Code
ENAC, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority, has published the Passenger Rights Charter which lists all passenger rights — rights that the Rimborsoalvolo.it team enforces every day on behalf of its clients.
Right to a flight ticket refund
When are you entitled to a flight ticket refund?
Passengers are entitled to a flight ticket refund in cases of flight cancellation, denied boarding due to overbooking, or flight delays longer than 5 hours (as they are considered equivalent to a cancellation, allowing the passenger to decide not to board and request a refund. If the delay is less than 5 hours, the passenger is not entitled to a refund but may still be eligible for compensation if they choose to board the flight), provided that:
- they hold a flight ticket, including those obtained through Frequent Flyer programs or other commercial offers from airlines or tour operators
- they have a confirmed reservation
- they show up for boarding in accordance with the written instructions provided by the airline, tour operator, or authorized travel agent
The passenger is also protected if the airline or tour operator moves them from one booked flight to another, regardless of the reason.
When are you not entitled to a flight ticket refund?
Passengers are not entitled to a refund if they:
- travel for free or at reduced fares not available to the general public, such as airline employees, travel agents, or tour operators.
or if they are denied boarding for health or safety reasons, or due to invalid travel documents.
Be careful not to confuse a refund with compensation!
As previously mentioned, a ticket refund consists of the full or partial reimbursement of the amount paid. Compensation (also referred to as damages or monetary compensation) is not related to the ticket price, but rather is a financial amount owed to the passenger for the inconvenience suffered due to: flight cancellation, flight delay, denied boarding due to overbooking, or baggage-related issues such as lost luggage or delayed or damaged baggage delivery.
The amount of compensation is calculated based on the route (intra-EU or international) and the distance traveled, and can range from a minimum of €250 up to a maximum of €600. Compensation for baggage-related issues can reach a maximum of 1,000 SDR (approximately €1,164).
Passengers often request only a refund because they are unaware of the conditions that entitle them to compensation. Rimborsoalvolo.it reviews all airline declarations to determine whether passengers are also entitled to monetary compensation.
Other types of refunds: Reimbursement for extra expenses
In addition to the right to a flight ticket refund and the right to compensation (if the necessary conditions are met), in cases such as cancelled flights, long delays or denied boarding, airlines are required to provide immediate assistance to passengers, including meals, hotel accommodation, alternative transportation and additional communication, or they must reimburse any extra expenses incurred by the passenger if paid in advance.
It is therefore essential to keep all receipts and documentation related to expenses in order to submit a full reimbursement request to the airline.
How to request a refund or compensation?
To obtain compensation for your airline ticket, reimbursement of extra expenses, and a refund, it is necessary to keep and submit all documents related to the cancelled, delayed, or overbooked flight, specifically:
- flight booking
- boarding pass
- any receipts for expenses incurred
Next, you must submit a formal request for a refund and compensation which can be filed directly with the airline or through authorized intermediaries such as Rimborsoalvolo.it. In some cases, you may need to fill out specific forms or send additional documentation.
It’s important to be patient and persistent throughout the claims process, as airlines are required to respond in accordance with current regulations.
If the airline fails to respond properly or refuses to provide the due refund and compensation, you can take legal action to enforce your rights.
How can we help you get the refund and compensation you deserve?
Rimborsoalvolo.it can act to submit formal claims and obtain a refund for the flight ticket, additional expenses in proportion to the issue, and, where applicable, also compensation for damages.
Rimborsoalvolo.it offers comprehensive assistance to ensure that all passenger rights are respected. This includes the possibility to take legal action, if necessary, before the Justice of the Peace through collaboration with legal experts.
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