LOT Flight Cancellation Compensation

LOT flight cancellation refund.

LOT flight cancellation compensation. Is there a difference between these two? In which situations can you get compensation, and in which — a refund? When can you get both? These are the questions we are going to discuss in this article. There are numerous reasons why airlines cancel their flights. All you need to know is, if your flight is cancelled due to their fault, you may be entitled to both – a refund from LOT and cancellation compensation up to €600.

In case of LOT, it applies to flights to and from the EU, and the UK.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. LOT Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU / UK Regulations

What happens if your LOT flight is cancelled?

What happens to your airline ticket? Will you be booked on a new flight free of charge? What if the new flight doesn’t meet your needs? Can you get a refund instead? What about flight cancellation compensation?

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the scheduled time of departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Could you be entitled to LOT flight cancellation compensation? 

You can get compensation, if your flight meets these criteria:

• Cancellation must be due to the fault of LOT;
• It must be a last-minute flight cancellation (not more than 2 weeks before departure);
• Flight must be to/from Europe or the UK.

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 Extraordinary Circumstances

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellations are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation.

If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, natural disaster, nationwide strike, terrorism threat, civil unrest, security issues at the airport, or something similar, you can’t get LOT flight cancellation compensation. These events are out of the airline’s control. And the airline is not obliged to pay compensation for flights that were cancelled or delayed because of events it has no control over.

What about strikes? If it’s a strike of LOT staff, it’s not an “extraordinary circumstance”, and you may be entitled to flight compensation.

And, yes, make sure to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling you the truth. 

Airlines lose a lot of money when they pay compensations to affected passengers. That’s why they try to avoid paying compensation when they can. They deny compensation claims and give false reasons for flight delays and cancellations. Unfortunately, this is how it is in the aviation industry. When you are filing a compensation claim on your own, be prepared for that. Be ready to ask for proof. Be persistent when you are claiming compensation yourself. 

Alternatively, you can hand over your case to a flight compensation company. Our partners offer such services. 

1.2 Right to Care

Your LOT flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for a new flight.

In this case you have a right to care from LOT.

Thanks to the EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 passengers who have to wait at least 3 hours, can get certain services from the airline for free. 

LOT must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

It doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

1.3 LOT Flight Cancellation Refund, LOT Refund Policy

And again, the rules are very specific.

If your flight is cancelled, you can either get a new flight or a full refund. These are the laws in the EU, and they aren’t affected by LOT internal policies (LOT refund policy). If you choose a refund, keep in mind that it might take up to 7 days to receive it.

You can get a new flight or full refund even if your flight is cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances. 

You don’t have to agree to a LOT voucher refund.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

It doesn’t cover cases when you cancel your LOT flight.

2. How to Claim LOT Compensation?

There are two ways how you can claim flight cancellation compensation LOT owes you.

One of them is more time consuming, the other – easier.

One of the options is to contact LOT directly. Contact LOT using their contact form and request compensation for cancellation. You can also contact them via their social media channels. If you are claiming compensation yourself, be prepared that it may take months, and several reminder emails, until you receive your LOT flight cancellation compensation. If the airline refuses your claim or is not cooperating, be persistent. 

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

In this case everything is handled by a flight compensation company. You will need to fill in a single form (EU flight cancellation compensation claim form). The rest is done by the legal office. Our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim LOT Compensation?
• Why Is Your LOT Refund Taking So Long and What Can You Do?

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

If everything goes well — 2 to 3 months.

If the airline cooperates, you might receive your money after 2-3 months. Note that in some situations it might be necessary to take your case to a national enforcement body or even court. It may add at least a couple of months, sometimes even 6+ months to the whole process.

If all of this sounds like an unnecessary hassle, work with a compensation company.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in the EU is up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your LOT compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

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 LOT Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a LOT voucher instead of LOT flight cancellation compensation?

You can say no. You don’t have to accept it. Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer. It applies to LOT and other EU airlines. The laws are the same in the UK, too. 

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your LOT flight is cancelled?

First of all, wait for the email from LOT. 

This email most probably will contain all the information you need — what to do next, what are your options, when is the next available flight, info about refund. 

If you are already at the airport, and it’s a very last-minute cancellation, follow your LOT flight information and wait for the announcement from the airline. Stay at the public access area of the airport. Do not go through airport security. If you choose to travel on another flight, you will need to check in for that flight. You can’t do it after you’ve gone through airport security. 

What if you want a refund instead of a new flight? You can get it. In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight and full refund. If you choose a refund, take into account that you won’t receive it right away. Usually the refunds are made within 7 days.

Is your flight cancelled last minute due to the fault of the airline? You might be entitled to flight cancellation compensation from LOT. In case of flight cancellation, compensation has to be paid when the flight is cancelled less than 2 weeks before departure date, and it is due to the airline’s fault.

4.1 Connecting Flights

Do you need to be on time for another flight? 

If it’s a LOT connecting flight, don’t worry. If you miss your connection because your previous flight was delayed or cancelled, LOT will book you on another flight free of charge. If the replacement flight departs on the next day, you can get a free hotel stay, too.

But if it’s a self transfer (separately booked flights), it’s your responsibility. Even if these are separately-booked LOT flights. If you haven’t booked your flights under one booking reference, the airline is not responsible for your missed connection. If you have travel insurance, it might cover the costs.

LOT Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

LOT Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received LOT flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about LOT compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.