It is essential to understand that, when starting our vacationpassengers are protected by international regulations that airlines often do not voluntarily advertise. Whether due to an unexpected cancellation or a connection delay, there are specific regulations that require companies to provide refunds, food and accommodation if the delay exceeds three hours, as long as the cause is the direct responsibility of the company and not external weather factors.
What to do if you miss a flight?
To avoid additional headaches during your vacationthe golden recommendation is to always make the reservation directly with the airline and not through third-party search engines that dilute responsibilities. By purchasing directly, you ensure that in the event of any incident such as overbooking or forced rescheduling, the company cannot “pass the buck” with an intermediary, facilitating access to support vouchers or relocation to the next flight available at no extra costs.
If the problem occurs when you are already at the airport to start your vacationyou must follow these essential steps to ensure your claim is legally successful:
- Request written proof of the incident at the airline counter before leaving.
- Keep all boarding passes, even those for flights you couldn’t take.
- Photograph your luggage and save receipts for any expenses on hygiene items or clothing if your suitcase is lost.
- Record the actual time of arrival at your final destination, since financial compensation depends on the magnitude of the delay.
- Do not accept discount vouchers lower than the value of the cash compensation that corresponds to you by law.
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Even if the mistake was yours for being late to check-in of your vacationthere is an unwritten policy known as the “plain rule” that some agents enforce if you communicate politely and quickly. Calling the airline as soon as you know that you will not arrive on time can allow you to be relocated without penalty on the next leg, appealing to force majeure and preventing your ticket from being completely canceled under the “no show” clause.
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Technology also plays in favor of travelers seeking to protect their vacation through applications specialized in air claims such as AirHelp or Aireclaim. These platforms have updated databases on Regulation (EC) No. 261/2014, allowing you to initiate legal disputes even for flights that failed months ago, automatically analyzing whether the causes of the delay were operational or climatic to ensure that you receive the money that is rightfully yours.
