Flight delayed? Get paid!

Picture this:

Your flight to Paris is delayed, causing you to arrive several hours later than expected. You're exhausted. Your car service had to be rescheduled. And your plans for the day are ruined.

Don't despair: There is a silver lining!

Under European law providing rights to air passengers, you might be entitled to compensation!

Despite borrowing sentiments from lawyer ads, this isn't my legal background sneaking out. No. This is my real-life experience -- not once but twice! Twice I have received cash compensation under EU law.

Boarding in Amsterdam ... headed to Inverness.

The first time, my friend Brad and I were headed to Prague, with the overseas flight from Atlanta to Paris delayed due to a faulty starter. We had been onboard for more than an hour when the pilot's voice filled the cabin, saying "We are looking around the airport for a new starter." Needless to say, they did not find a new starter. 

We eventually changed planes and arrived three hours late in Paris, missing our onward flight to Prague, resulting in our final arrival more than six hours later than originally scheduled. 

After returning to the USA, I made a claim for compensation; Brad opted not to make a claim. A few weeks later, I received a call from the airline asking if the claim was for me or for both travelers. I said both, and presto: we each received a check for the US $$ equivalent of €600!

My chariot finally arrived!

The second time was this past summer, at the beginning of my Curated in Residence summer abroad, heading to my first Curated Staycation in Scotland. The day before I was scheduled to leave, I received notice that my overseas flight was canceled -- not delayed, not rescheduled, but canceled! 

Of course I immediately called the airline, and they got to work. Instead of departing the US from NYC, I was now departing from Detroit -- resulting in an arrival in Amsterdam that could not accommodate my scheduled departure for Inverness. Instead of arriving at my final destination at 12:30 PM, I arrived around 5:00 PM.

PRO TIP: Customs in Inverness is so much easier than in London!

Upon returning to the US ten weeks later, I rushed to my mother's bedside due to her failing health. Between that and a super busy summer, I really forgot about the whole claim. But eventually -- nearly four months after the canceled flight and delayed arrival -- I filed my claim. 

And just last week, I received the email: "You are entitled to €600." 

Flight delayed? Get paid!

Do the claims always work? No. Once, I arrived back to the US from Europe, more than three hours late. I made a claim because of the delayed arrival, but the airline -- a US-based airline -- denied the claim, saying the delay was not their fault and that they did not have to comply with the EU law, despite the flight originating from an EU airport.

So ... in spite of the one denial, is it worth it to make a claim? Absolutely!

Related question #1: What about when I'm flying across the USA? 

The US has its own rules, and you can find US guidelines here. According to these published guidelines, delayed and canceled flights do not result in cash compensation to travelers, though other assistance may be required.

Related question #2: Does the amount of compensation change based on the price of the flight?

Unfortunately, no. If you managed to find one of those great deals where your flight to Europe was only $300 or if you were in a $12,000 first class seat, you would be entitled to €600 for a flight delayed more than three hours. However, your compensation may be less based on your particular circumstances.

Related question #3: Do I need to pay a fee to make a claim?

Absolutely not. Sure, there are some legit companies that can handle your claim for you, but there are also a lot of scammers in the world. But you can avoid those headaches by filing directly with your airline through their official website.

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