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Downgraded to a lower class: your refund

If the airline puts you in a lower class than the one you paid for, EU rules make it refund part of the ticket price for that flight within seven days: 30%, 50% or 75%, depending on the distance (Regulation 261/2004, article 10(2)).

Checked 9 Oct

Check your flight for free

Enter the flight number and the date. We tell you what you are owed.

How much you get back

The share depends on the flight's distance: 30% up to 1,500 km; 50% for flights within the EU over 1,500 km and for other flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km; 75% for all other flights, including those between mainland Europe and the French overseas departments. It is paid within seven days, in money, unless you agree in writing to a voucher.

If you are moved to a higher class instead, the airline may not ask you to pay more (article 10(1)).

Which price counts

It is the price of the flight you were downgraded on, not of your whole trip. If the ticket shows no separate price for that flight, it is the part of the ticket price that matches that flight's share of the total distance. Taxes and charges are left out unless they depend on the class you booked (Court of Justice, C-255/15, 22 June 2017).

Claiming on your own, for free

You can claim for free without us: write to the airline first. If it refuses or doesn't answer, you can complain to the national enforcement body (in Romania, ANPC) or ask the European Consumer Centre in your country for help (in Romania, ECC Romania), also for free. It makes sense to come to us when the airline has refused or ignored your claim, or when you would rather not deal with it yourself.

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Questions

Does the airline owe me food or a hotel?

Under EU and UK rules, yes, while you wait for a delayed or cancelled flight: meals and drinks in proportion to the wait, and a hotel with transport if you are stuck overnight. That is separate from compensation.

How far back can I claim?

It depends on the country whose courts would hear the claim. On many EU routes it is several years. The check tells you for your flight.

What does FlyHandled cost?

Checking your flight is free. If we handle the claim, the fee is 25% of what the airline pays, VAT included, plus 15% only if it goes to court, and nothing if it pays nothing.

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