Your LOT compensation claim is rejected.
You’ve sought compensation from LOT, but your claim has been turned down.
This can be particularly irritating when you’ve been trying to obtain your compensation from LOT individually, and when you’re not entirely confident about your eligibility to compensation in the first place. What’s the next step? Is it even worth the hassle? Certainly, it’s worth it. At the very least, you could let a flight compensation firm handle it for you. However, you have other alternatives too. You can continue to battle for your rights independently.
Your LOT Compensation Claim Is Rejected. What’s Next?
There are other methods to obtain compensation from LOT. However, before proceeding further, you should revisit the law and understand your rights better.
Next, proceed with your LOT compensation claim.
1. Collaborating With Flight Compensation Companies
The simplest solution is to collaborate with a flight compensation firm.
All you have to do is complete an online form, provide them with a copy of your boarding pass and passport, and sign the claim. In most cases, you don’t have to worry about anything else. The firm handles the rest. You don’t need to engage with LOT any longer. If there are any extra queries that only you can answer, the company will get in touch with you. The only downside is the fee. Most flight compensation firms charge around 25-45% of the compensation. 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.
How much does it cost?
Generally, the fee is about 25 to 45 per cent of the compensation. The remaining amount is transferred to you. If you don’t get compensation, you won’t have to pay (if the company you choose works under the no-win no-fee agreement).
Read more:
2. Reaching Out to the NEB of the Country Your Flight Originated From
Working with a flight compensation firm isn’t the only option. You can get in touch with the NEB (National Enforcement Bodies) after you’ve tried contacting the airline on your own and received a denial or no response.
It’s free. However, it’s not as straightforward as collaborating with a flight compensation firm, and it can be time-consuming.
Typically, it takes them at least 2 months to process your compensation request. The major downside — a positive response to your request doesn’t guarantee compensation. LOT may still refuse the request. You can find a list of National Enforcement Bodies here.
The National Enforcement Bodies assist passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight delay or cancellation, as well as enforces the regulation Regulation (EC) 261/2004 and makes sure passengers are treated according to these rules.
3. Escalating the Matter to Court
The next step is to take the matter to court.
It’s highly recommended to wait for a positive decision from the NEB first, as it can greatly support your case against the airline (LOT in this case). This is the most intricate alternative, but it’s also very effective. Before escalating your complaint to court, ensure that your claim is valid. Revisit your rights and develop your argument. Only then can you be confident that it’s worth taking to court.
If you have a verdict from the NEB stating that you’re entitled to flight compensation from LOT, include it in your court documents. Remember, court proceedings will involve costs.
Extraordinary Circumstances
Airlines often avoid providing the correct reason for claim rejection.
They provide a very generic response, and that’s it.
They love to label “everything” as extraordinary circumstances.
The logic behind this is quite simple — compensations aren’t profitable for any company. That’s why airlines try to evade paying compensation. They are aware that most passengers aren’t fully informed about their rights. And the airlines take advantage of this. So, be skeptical when you hear this term next time, and it has anything to do with flight compensations.
As per the EU regulation 261/2004, airlines aren’t obligated to pay flight compensation when the disruption is due to extraordinary circumstances. Extraordinary circumstances include extreme weather conditions, political unrest, and hidden manufacturing defects. That’s correct, only hidden manufacturing defects are considered as exceptional circumstances. Most technical issues, same like staff strikes, are considered the airline’s fault.
Also, adverse weather isn’t always an exceptional circumstance. In certain instances, the weather is absolutely predictable. For example, snow during winter months (unless snowfall is unusual in that place). In such cases, the airline is expected to take appropriate measures to ensure flight punctuality.
Find out the true reason behind the delay or cancellation.
It is important in this case.
When Can You Get Flight Compensation From LOT?
There are multiple scenarios where you may be justified to request flight compensation.
These scenarios involve delayed flights, cancellations, and situations where you are denied boarding due to the flight being overbooked.
1. Flight Delays
Under EU regulation 261/2004, you have a right to claim compensation if your flight reaches its final destination later than three hours after the scheduled arrival time. The compensation amount depends on both the length of the delay and the flight distance.
For instance, if your flight from London to Paris, a short trip of less than 1,500km, is delayed by three hours or more, you may claim €250 in compensation.
Read more: LOT Flight Delay Compensation
2. Flight Cancellations
You are entitled to compensation if your flight is cancelled without you receiving a notification at least 14 days prior to the departure date. The compensation sum varies based on the distance of the planned flight and the delay incurred in reaching your final destination.
For example, if your flight from Rome to New York, a long-haul distance of over 3,500km, is cancelled without sufficient notice and you reach your final destination more than four hours late using a replacement flight, you may claim €600 in compensation.
Read more: LOT Flight Cancellation Compensation
3. Denied Boarding Due to Overbooking
Airlines occasionally overbook flights anticipating some passengers will not turn up. If you are refused boarding because of overbooking and you didn’t voluntarily surrender your seat, you may claim compensation.
The compensation sum is based on the distance of the flight.
Suppose you are flying from Berlin to Madrid, a medium distance between 1,500km and 3,500km, and you are denied boarding due to overbooking. If you arrive at your final destination more than three hours late, you may claim €400 in compensation.
Read more: LOT Denied Boarding Compensation
What is your experience with LOT compensation claims? Do you have a first-hand experience of rejected LOT compensation claim? Did you take the case to NEB or court?