How to claim Lufthansa compensation?
How to claim flight delay compensation?
The procedure for claiming compensation from Lufthansa varies depending on the situation. You may have several options in some cases and may handle the claim yourself or delegate it to someone who can handle it more efficiently. However, in other situations, your only choice may be to handle the claim yourself. It is crucial to understand the difference between compensation and refund as they are not interchangeable. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for compensation, a refund, or both.
How to Claim Lufthansa Compensation?
The procedure for claiming compensation from Lufthansa depends on the type of compensation you are seeking. Here are some of the frequently occurring situations:
1. UK/EU Flight Compensation: Lufthansa
Remember that technical issues with the aircraft and staff strikes are considered the airline’s responsibility, rather than an extraordinary circumstance.
1.1 Long Flight Delay
Conditions for receiving flight delay compensation from Lufthansa:
- Delay must be 3 or more hours long (at the time of arrival);
- Delay must be due to the fault of the airline;
- Flight must be within/to/from Europe.
If you need to file a compensation claim with Lufthansa, you can contact their customer support center via their website and complete a claim form. Be sure to reference Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and be persistent in your communication.
Alternatively, you can also file a claim with experts.
Read more: Lufthansa Flight Delay Compensation
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
1.2 Flight Cancellation
To get compensation from Lufthansa, your flight must be:
- Cancelled last-minute (up to 14 days before the flight);
- Cancelled due to the fault of Lufthansa (not due to bad weather or other extraordinary circumstances);
- To/within/from Europe.
Contact Lufthansa customer support center via their website to make a claim.
It is important to refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and remind them of your rights to avoid claim rejection from the airline.
Or file a claim with professionals. Check your flight now.
Read more: Lufthansa Flight Cancellation Compensation
1.3 Denied Boarding / Overbooking
There are specific criteria that must be met in order to qualify for denied boarding compensation:
- You must be involuntarily denied boarding due to overbooking;
- You must be denied boarding due to the fault of the airline (i.e., overbooking), not problems with your passport, visa, etc.;
- Flight must be from/within/to Europe.
Keep in mind that passengers who do not have the proper travel documentation, such as valid visas, are not eligible for compensation. Passengers who voluntarily opt for alternative arrangements, such as a later flight, may not be eligible for compensation either.
How to claim denied boarding compensation?
Contact Lufthansa customer support center via their website.
Refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Or file a claim with proffesionals.
Read more: Lufthansa Denied Boarding Compensation
1.4 Missed Connection Flight
If your first flight is delayed or canceled, causing you to miss a connecting flight and arrive at your destination 3 or more hours later than planned, you may be entitled to compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
However, this only applies if:
- The delay is Lufthansa’s fault, and not due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., bad weather or pandemics);
- The flight is departing from or arriving in Europe.
To claim compensation from Lufthansa, you can contact their customer support center through their website, and be sure to reference Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Or file a claim with professionals.
Read more: Lufthansa Missed Connection Compensation
1.5 Downgrading
If you are involuntarily downgraded from your flight, you are entitled to compensation from the airline. The amount of compensation depends on the distance of your flight and ranges from 30% to 75% of the ticket cost. The airline is required to pay you this compensation right away.
If they fail to do so, you should contact Lufthansa and file a claim. Note that you are not obliged to accept any vouchers or coupons offered by the airline. If you encounter any issues, refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Read more: Lufthansa Flight Downgrade Compensation
2. Baggage Compensation
For baggage compensation, you have two options.
You can either contact your insurance company to handle the claim or file a claim directly through Lufthansa’s website. Note that flight compensation companies usually do not handle baggage claims.
2.1 Damaged Baggage
If your suitcase or bag is damaged, here’s what you can do.
Step by step:
- File a damage report at the airport within 7 days of receiving your bag;
- Provide necessary information;
- Get compensation of up to €1300.
Read more: Lufthansa Damaged Baggage Compensation
2.2 Delayed Baggage
If your bag is delayed, follow this step by step guide:
- Report the loss of your baggage at the airport;
- Get the Property Irregularity Report or PIR with a personal reference number;
- Track your bag’s status online using your reference number;
- Get reimbursement for your expenses (necessary items you have had to buy as a result of this delay).
Read more: Lufthansa Delayed Baggage Compensation
2.3 Lost Baggage
In some cases, your bag may not arrive at all.
If this happens, here’s what you should do:
- Report the loss of your bag at the airport;
- Get the Property Irregularity Report with a personal reference number;
- Track your bag’s status online, using your reference number;
- If your bag is not found after 21 days, provide a list of things you had in your bag, to receive compensation of up to €1300;
- In addition to compensation, you can file a claim for any additional expenses.
Read more: Lufthansa Lost Baggage Compensation
3. Lufthansa Refund For Cancellation
If your flight with Lufthansa is cancelled, you have the option to receive a refund of the amount you paid for the flight. However, depending on the circumstances, you may also be eligible for compensation. To claim your refund or compensation, it is important to contact Lufthansa as soon as possible. Follow up after a couple of weeks if necessary.
You can read more about this process in the linked article.
Read more: Lufthansa Refund For Cancellation
3.1 What If You Cancel a Lufthansa Flight?
If you cancel your Lufthansa flight, the refund process is relatively straightforward. To start, you need to cancel your reservation; this can be done online through the Lufthansa website or by contacting their customer support. Following the cancellation, a refund request must be submitted. The refund amount will depend largely on the fare conditions of your ticket.
Do note, not all tickets are refundable. If you purchased a non-refundable ticket, you might not receive a refund, or there might be heavy cancellation charges. It’s important to read and understand the fare rules before purchasing a ticket.
It’s also important to know that while you may be eligible for a refund, you will not receive compensation for cancelling your own flight. Compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 only applies when the flight is cancelled by the airline, not when the passenger chooses to cancel.
So, in conclusion, while you may get a refund for your ticket depending on the fare conditions, you cannot get compensation for self-cancelled flights.
Do Not Agree to Lufthansa Vouchers
When you are entitled to European flight compensation or a refund from Lufthansa, it is important to know that you do not have to accept vouchers as a form of compensation. You have the right to request a monetary refund instead.
When dealing with Lufthansa customer service, you should always make sure to reference Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and make it clear that you are not willing to accept vouchers as compensation. If the customer service agent does not offer a refund in cash, ask for further assistance from their supervisor or manager.
Yes – you have the right to receive your compensation or refund from Lufthansa without having to accept vouchers as payment.
Claiming Lufthansa Flight Compensation On Your Own
When claiming Lufthansa flight compensation independently, it’s essential to be persistent and familiarize yourself with your rights. Airlines may attempt to avoid paying compensation by exaggerating issues or labeling technical problems as extraordinary circumstances (which is incorrect – technical issues are not considered extraordinary circumstances). Some may also try to offer vouchers in place of compensation.
These tactics are not exclusive to Lufthansa, as airlines worldwide often use them.
To sum it up, in order to claim Lufthansa flight compensation on your own:
- Identify your right to compensation. Based on EC Regulation No. 261/2004, determine whether your circumstances entitle you to flight compensation or a refund.
- Keep all relevant documents. This includes boarding passes, tickets, receipts, and any other evidence of your flight and expenses.
- Contact Lufthansa. Make your claim directly to Lufthansa’s customer service. You could do this via email, phone, or through their website.
- Be persistent. If you do not receive a satisfactory response initially, don’t give up. Follow up with the airline and insist on your right to compensation.
- Refuse vouchers. Remember, you have the right to monetary compensation. Do not accept vouchers if offered.
- Escalate if necessary. If the airline refuses to compensate you, consider escalating the matter to a National Enforcement Body or taking legal action.
By following these steps, you can navigate the process of claiming flight compensation independently. However, it’s crucial to remember that this can be a complex process, and professional help is available if needed.
Court Action – Lufthansa
When your compensation claim is rejected by Lufthansa, you may need to resort to taking legal action against the airline. However, before going to court, you can escalate your claim to NEB, which may help you avoid court altogether. A favourable decision by NEB can strengthen your position and improve your chances of obtaining a positive outcome, even if the airline still refuses to pay compensation.
If, after all your efforts, the airline still maintains their refusal to compensate you, bringing a lawsuit against Lufthansa could be your next step. This stage should be considered a last resort after exhausting all other avenues of mediation and escalation. Remember, legal actions can be demanding, both financially and time-wise.
Therefore, it’s crucial to be prepared and know exactly what you’re getting into. However, if your claim is valid under EC Regulation No. 261/2004, and you have the necessary documentation to prove it, a court may indeed be your next step.
What is your experience with Lufthansa compensation claims? Have you ever received compensation from Lufthansa? Share your experience, or questions, in the comments.
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