How to claim KLM compensation?
How to claim flight delay compensation?
There are different situations. In some of situations you have several options, you can do it on your own or to hand it over to someone who’d do it on your behalf and also faster, in others — only one, to deal with it yourself. It’s also important to distinguish between compensation and refund, as they aren’t the same thing. In some situations you are entitled to compensation, in others to refund, and then there are situations when you can get both.
How to Claim KLM Compensation?
It all depends from the type of compensation KLM owes you.
Here are the most popular situations.
1. EU Flight Compensation: KLM
1.1 Long Flight Delay
KLM delayed flight compensation:
- 3+ hour flight delay (at the time of arrival);
- It’s fault of KLM, not something unavoidable;
- Flight is to / from Europe.
Contact KLM customer support center via their website. Submit KLM compensation claim form. Be insistent when doing that on your own. Refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Or file a claim via our partners, a flight compensation company.
By Europe and EU here on this page 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.
Read more: KLM Flight Delay Compensation
1.2 Flight Cancellation
KLM flight cancellation compensation:
- Last-minute cancellation (up to 14 days before the flight);
- It’s fault of KLM, not something unavoidable;
- Flight is to / from Europe.
Contact KLM customer support center via their website.
Refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Or file a claim via our partners, a flight compensation company.
Read more: KLM Flight Cancellation Compensation
1.3 Denied Boarding / Overbooking
KLM denied boarding compensation:
- Denied boarding due to overbooking;
- It’s fault of KLM, not problems with your passport, etc.;
- Flight is to / from Europe.
Contact KLM customer support center via their website.
Refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Or file a claim via our partners (link below).
Read more: KLM Denied Boarding Compensation
1.4 Missed Connection Flight
Your flight is delayed or cancelled, and you miss a connecting flight. According to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, in these situations as well you may be entitled to compensation, as long as you reach your destination 2-3 hours later than initially planned.
- It’s fault of KLM, not something unavoidable;
- Flight is to / from Europe.
In order to claim compensation KLM owes you, contact KLM customer support center via their website. Refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Or file a claim via our partners, a flight compensation company.
Read more: KLM Missed Connection Compensation
1.5 Downgrading
If you are downgraded, you can get compensation.
The amounts of involuntary downgrade compensation you can get from your airline are between 30 to 75% of the price of the ticket, depending from the distance of your flight.
This compensation should be paid on spot.
If that hasn’t happened, make sure to contact KLM and file a claim. You don’t have to accept any coupons or vouchers. In case of any issues, refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Read more: KLM Flight Downgrade Compensation
2. Baggage Compensation
With baggage there are two options.
You can let your insurance company deal with that, or you can file a claim through the website of KLM. Flight compensation companies usually don’t deal with these kind of claims.
2.1 Damaged Baggage
Step by step:
- File a damage report at the airport or online within 7 days;
- Provide necessary information;
- Get compensation up to €1300.
Read more: KLM Damaged Baggage Compensation
2.2 Delayed Baggage
Step by step:
- Report the loss of your baggage at the airport;
- After 3 days use the World Tracer tool to fill out a Baggage Inventory and Claim Form;
- Get reimbursement for your expenses (essentials you have had to purchase as a result of this delay).
Read more: KLM Delayed Baggage Compensation
2.3 Lost Baggage
There are also situations when baggage never arrives.
Here’s what you should do:
- Report the loss of your baggage at the airport;
- After 3 days use the World Tracer tool to fill out a Baggage Inventory and Claim Form;
- After 21 day provide a list of things you had in your baggage, to receive compensation up to €1300.
Read more: KLM Lost Baggage Compensation
3. KLM Refund For Cancellation
If KLM cancels a flight, you can get a refund.
It means you can get back the money you paid for your flight. Sometimes you can get only refund, but there are also situations when you can get both refund and compensation. Don’t forget to make a claim. Contact KLM, claim refund, follow up in a couple of weeks, repeat.
To learn more about all of this read the article linked below.
Read more: KLM Refund For Cancellation
Claiming KLM Flight Compensation On Your Own
Perhaps the most important thing is to be persistent.
Know your rights and don’t agree to anything less. Airlines use different methods to avoid paying flight compensation when it’s due — they make things look worse than they are, call avoidable technical problems extraordinary circumstances, offer coupons instead of credit card refunds, etc. It isn’t only about KLM, many airlines around the world use these tactics. In fact from the customer perspective KLM is one the “good guys”.
But still these things happen, hence the advice.
Court Action – Air France KLM
In some cases court action may be necessary.
If your KLM claim is refused, you take it to NEB. It’s better to do it this way, as it may eliminate need for court altogether. Whatever the outcome compensation-wise, a positive NEB ruling will hugely benefit you in the court, by highly improving your chances for a positive outcome.
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