Lufthansa overbooking compensation / Lufthansa denied boarding compensation.
Are you entitled to it? How much is it, and how to get it?
The rules are very simple. The most important thing to remember is, that you can get European denied boarding compensation only if your flight was overbooked. And only if you were involuntary denied boarding. All other reasons for boarding denial aren’t covered by the European regulations — all other reasons aren’t considered airline’s fault.
So, have you been bumped from the plane involuntarily?
You might be entitled to EU denied boarding compensation.
There are two ways you can claim this compensation.
1. Lufthansa Overbooking Compensation: EU/UK Denied Boarding Regulations
Have you been denied boarding by Lufthansa?
What are your rights in this situation? What happens if you were involuntary denied boarding? In which situations can you get denied boarding compensation from Lufthansa?
If you’re flying to or from Europe with Lufthansa, and you are denied boarding due to overbooking — you are entitled to flight overbooking compensation (EU denied boarding compensation) up to €600.
This only applies to overbookings.
Read more: Regulation (EC) No 261/2004; Regulation UK261
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.
1.1 Voluntary Denied Boarding
There are two types of denied boarding — voluntary and involuntary.
What is voluntary denied boarding? How it works?
Your flight is overbooked. The airline has sold more tickets than there are seats. And everybody shows up for their flight. At some point, there are no empty seats left. And several people must be left behind. At first, the airline looks for volunteers who will agree to travel later. These volunteers will be given a new flight and instant compensation in the form of vouchers or cash. It’s called voluntary boarding denial.
You are one of these “volunteers”. In this case, you aren’t entitled to denied boarding compensation from Lufthansa.
You don’t have to agree to an offer like this.
1.2 Involuntary Denied Boarding
There are situations when passengers don’t have a choice.
There aren’t any free seats left, and there are not enough people who are ready to give up their seats voluntarily. In this kind of situation, people will be bumped from the plane involuntarily. If this happens to you, know that it’s called involuntarily denied boarding, and you will be eligible for compensation.
What happens in case of involuntary denied boarding?
- Lufthansa must give you a choice — either a new flight or a full refund;
- In addition to that, you are entitled to receive care from the airline*;
- And you are entitled to Lufthansa overbooking compensation up to €600 per passenger.
* Lufthansa must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If you have to wait overnight, Lufthansa must provide you with free accommodation and free transfer from and to the airport.
1.3 Right to Care
All passengers travelling with Lufthansa have a right to care.
You have been denied boarding, and you have to wait at the airport for your replacement flight. According to the European regulations, Lufthansa has to offer you certain services free of charge. It applies to all situations when you have to wait for 3 or more hours extra.
It also applies to flight delays and cancellations. Even if the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances.
What does it mean for you as a passenger?
Lufthansa must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If it’s an overnight delay, Lufthansa has to offer you a free hotel stay and transfer. If you accept a free hotel and free meals, you still can get compensation from Lufthansa. These are the laws in the EU.
Contact the airline if you haven’t been offered anything.
2. How to Claim Lufthansa Flight Compensation? How to Claim Flight Overbooking Compensation?
You can claim Lufthansa overbooking compensation yourself.
The other option is to work with professionals.
Claiming compensation from Lufthansa yourself. Fill in the compensation claim form on Lufthansa’s website and request compensation for denied boarding that Lufthansa owes you. You don’t have to agree to Lufthansa voucher refund. Keep in mind that it may take months until you receive the denied boarding compensation Lufthansa owes you.
You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.
Register your Lufthansa compensation claim with the help of a flight compensation company. In this case, you don’t have to do much. Fill in one form, and the rest will be done for you. No hassle and no back-and-forth communication with the airline. Our partners offer such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more:
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
It depends on a number of factors.
Like the time of the year and country you are flying from.
But mostly people receive their compensation in a few months. It might also take less than that — about 2-3 months. If the airline is cooperating. If the airline isn’t cooperating, and refuses to pay compensation, it is necessary to take the case to a national enforcement body or even court. If that’s the case, it will add at least a couple of months (sometimes even more) to the whole process.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
In the EU compensation amounts are fixed.
In most situations they range from €250 to €600.
Here is how you can calculate Lufthansa denied boarding compensation yourself:
When your destination is within the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
When your destination is outside the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km
Claiming compensation yourself? Ask for the right amount. Otherwise the airline might pay you less than you are entitled to. Keep in mind that you don’t have to agree to anything less.
There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).
3.1 Lufthansa Voucher Code, Discounts or Cash?
According to the law, compensations have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.
If Lufthansa offers you a flight coupon as compensation, do not agree to that. Ask for money. According to the European regulations, all compensations and refunds have to be paid by bank transfer. Not coupons or vouchers.
Lufthansa Denied Boarding Compensation: FAQ
What if my flight was very cheap. Can I get compensation?
Yes.
All long as you are entitled to compensation, you can get it.
If your flight was heavily delayed, cancelled last minute, or you have been denied boarding involuntarily, you can can get compensation. The price of the ticket doesn’t matter. Remember — you are paid for the inconvenience.
What about travel insurance? Do I need to have it if I want to claim compensation?
No.
You can claim compensation even if you don’t have insurance. According to Regulation EC 261/2004, every passenger whose flight has been disrupted due to the airline’s fault, can get compensated.
Yes, even if they don’t have travel insurance.
Can my child/baby get compensation from Lufthansa?
Yes.
The age does’t matter. Even your baby (with a special infant ticket) can get the same amount as you.
Can I claim compensation for my friend or family member?
Yes, you can.
Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself.
You can file a compensation for your friend, family member, relative or an acquaintance, as long as they provide you with a boarding pass and passport copy. They will also have to sign any documents Lufthansa may ask to sign.
How far back can I claim compensation?
It depends on the laws of the country.
If you are flying from the EU, you can claim compensation even for old flights, flights that were 2-3 years ago. However, for the best results, we would recommend you not to wait and claim compensation right after your trip.
What to do if Lufthansa is refusing my compensation claim?
Is Lufthansa is refusing to pay compensation even though you are entitled to it?
Contact the respective national enforcement body and ask them to help solve your case. There are national enforcement bodies in all EU countries. If your flight departed from a third country, contact the NEB of your destination country. If you don’t want any more hassle, you can choose to work with a flight compensation company. Hand your case over to them. They will claim compensation Lufthansa owes you.
Problems With Visa or Passport
I was denied boarding due to issues with my passport / because I don’t have visa. Can I receive compensation in this case?
No.
You can only get compensation if you have been involuntarily denied boarding because of overbooking.
If there are issues with your passport or visa, and you have been denied boarding because of that, you can’t get denied boarding compensation. The European regulations cover only involuntarily denied boarding because of overbooking.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If you’re flying with Lufthansa then yes.
Lufthansa is a EU airline. According to the EU flight compensation regulations, you are protected on all Lufthansa flights from and also to the EU, UK and EEA. Basically, you are protected on all their flights.
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
With Lufthansa you can.
I am not a citizen of the EU. Can I get compensation?
Yes. Absolutely.
The EU Regulation 261/2004 protect all passengers — tourists from overseas and Europeans alike. These laws protect everyone.
Other Situations
Lufthansa provided me with a free hotel room and a free flight to my destination. Can I still get compensated for my disrupted flight?
Yes.
You are entitled to both right to care and a new flight to your destination.
In Europe, passengers have a right to receive care from the airline no matter the reason for delay or cancellation. And if you’re eligible for compensation, receiving care doesn’t affect your chances of receiving this compensation.
Lufthansa took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
You might.
If you arrived 3+ hours later than scheduled, and the delay/cancellation was due to the fault of the airline, you can get compensation. Even if you were given a new ticket to your destination, and received a free hotel stay, you are still entitled to compensation.
What is your experience? Have you ever received Lufthansa overbooking compensation? Do you still have questions about Lufthansa denied boarding compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.