Once you’ve booked your trip, you’ll likely start counting down the days until it’s time to take off. Then it happens. You get the dreaded notification that your trip or flight was canceled, leaving you wondering what’s next. While it may be cause immediate disappointment (and a healthy dose of depression), take a deep breath. You have options, and here’s what you need to do.
Rebooking your Flight
If you still want to go on your trip, you can try to rebook it. You can attempt to do it yourself by looking at the website or app. If that doesn’t work, you can always call customer service to see if they can help you. They may have more flexibility within their systems, so if you don’t see anything you like, you can always call to see if they can help.
You should be able to get on the next available flight as long as it is safe to travel. For example, if there is political unrest, you will be unable to travel until the issues are resolved. Inclement weather, on the other hand, should only last a few hours, so you shouldn’t be impacted for too long. They should be able to get you on the next available flight.
Getting a Refund
In some cases, you may not want to worry about rebooking your flight. Perhaps you had a specific reason to be there at that time, like a concert or event, and it will be over by the time you can get rebooked. Whatever the reason may be, you are entitled to a full refund since the cancelation was in TUI’s control.
You do not have to do anything to get your refund. It should be credited back to the payment you used to book within 14 days. If it is not in your account by then, contact customer service. They can help make sure you get your refund in a timely manner.
Claiming Compensation
Under EC 261, you are entitled to additional compensation if TUI canceled your flight within 14 days of its departure. If so, you’ll want to gather your supporting documentation together. This includes your original flight information (ticket, confirmation, etc), your notice of cancelation, and any other information that could be helpful, especially if you’re already at the airport.
Once you have it all together, contact customer service with your claim. They will review it, and depending on the circumstances of the cancelation and the length of your flight, you could receive up to €600 in additional compensation. You could claim this even if you rebook your flight.
If you accepted additional flyers or vouchers, you may not be eligible for this additional compensation. Before you sign and accept anything, make sure to read the fine print. Keep in mind that sometimes what the airline is offering you is a better deal, so make sure to weigh your options when you are deciding between what to accept.
Conclusion
You have to decide what is best for you if TUI cancels your flight or holiday. You can rebook it or request a refund. If the issue is within the airline’s control, you could also claim compensation under EC 261, which could net you up to an additional €600, depending on your flight details.
This law is in place to protect passengers’ rights and hold airlines accountable for avoidable issues, so don’t hesitate to file a claim. Your time and inconvenience are worth getting compensated for, but it’s up to you to file a claim! TUI will not just give you unsolicited compensation.
