Best Practices for Filing EU 261 Claims Against United? {Archive}
Aug 31, 2017, 4:04 pm
#886
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: LHR (sometimes CLE, SFO, BOS, LAX, SEA)
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 5,896
I think the OP is using "W" to refer to "premium economy cabin" in the sense of the airline-industry quasi-standard P/F/J/W/Y terminology. I figured it wasn't worth pointing out that UA does not actually market a separate W-cabin set of fares and that E+ is just an added extra feature marketed to Y seats (no downgrade from W=>Y is possible / EU downgrade compensation does not apply).
Sep 1, 2017, 2:49 am
#887
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,843
Does EU261 apply to flights from Switzerland?
Sep 1, 2017, 3:23 am
#888
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 462
Sep 1, 2017, 3:29 am
#889
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 462
So I have been offered Euro 300 (CC) or US$400 (ETC) for a flight FRA-SFO-SAN where I arrived 5.5 hours after the original scheduled time, basically because they removed me from the original SFO-SAN flight as the FRA-SFO flight was delayed, but I made the flight and they had given my seat away. (There were other passengers making the same connection who arrived after me and were seated.) They put me the standby list, sat me on the flight and then removed me for another standby passenger. So next flight did not get me into SAN until 5.5 hours later.
So I believe based on the Wiki I am entitled to Euro 600 and for some reason it has been halved (not that they have stated that to me). United merely states they have determined EUR 300 is the appropriate amount.
I have been given 3-5 days to respond and accept the ETC/miles/CC.
I have another claim in for a 24 hour (+) delay so want to ensure I am understanding this compensation amount correctly.
Anyone else had this experience of being offered less than the required amount?
Any suggestions for how I receive the appropriate compensation?
Any recourse for receiving a check rather than a CC?
Thank you.
So I believe based on the Wiki I am entitled to Euro 600 and for some reason it has been halved (not that they have stated that to me). United merely states they have determined EUR 300 is the appropriate amount.
I have been given 3-5 days to respond and accept the ETC/miles/CC.
I have another claim in for a 24 hour (+) delay so want to ensure I am understanding this compensation amount correctly.
Anyone else had this experience of being offered less than the required amount?
Any suggestions for how I receive the appropriate compensation?
Any recourse for receiving a check rather than a CC?
Thank you.
Sep 1, 2017, 8:38 am
#890
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,616
Sep 1, 2017, 12:28 pm
#891
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,224
Hello! I'm hoping some of the great minds here might have some further advice on a significantly delayed trip from ZRH to SEA via EWR. My wife and I (and now our two kids) have been lifelong UA users...while we rack up far fewer miles than a biz traveller, I'd think our loyalty counts for something.
Instead of 6:10PM 7/11, we arrive 9AM 7/12."
So after what felt like an endless 30 day wait, we are offered 5,000mi per person. Which probably barely covers the "refund" for flying Y from EWR to SEA instead of our ticketed and paid W, let alone the delays and issues.
I replied with friendly exasperation that they would low ball us and also referenced EU 261 (which I know isn't always cut and dry ex-CH from other threads)
Now instead of receiving ANY REPLY, let alone a friendly one with a dose of empathy and communication from UA, I find myself at an online message board hoping someone can help
.
Instead of 6:10PM 7/11, we arrive 9AM 7/12."
So after what felt like an endless 30 day wait, we are offered 5,000mi per person. Which probably barely covers the "refund" for flying Y from EWR to SEA instead of our ticketed and paid W, let alone the delays and issues.
I replied with friendly exasperation that they would low ball us and also referenced EU 261 (which I know isn't always cut and dry ex-CH from other threads)
Now instead of receiving ANY REPLY, let alone a friendly one with a dose of empathy and communication from UA, I find myself at an online message board hoping someone can help
.I had two claims and initially for the first claim they offered me ETC/miles or CC for the EUR (converted into USD), so I responded after getting feedback from a FTer (very thankful) and insisted on a check. They agreed and are sending the check which can take up to six weeks (per their e-mail). My second claim took a few more days since it was an older claim and they offered me ETC/miles or check for the USD equivalent.
Unlike the courtesy ETC/miles that are provided fairly quickly I suspect there are more internal protocols for the EC261/2004 claims.
I know others have suggested using a service, and certainly you should consider that but they do take a cut, and UA are settling my claims without the need for the intervention of a third party.
Be patient (which I certainly appreciate may be difficult so close to the events that occurred).
FWIW - I did accept the other customer satisfaction offer as it was not the EC261/2004 claim, but mine was a little more than your offer. Others have also done this and we make separate EC261/2004 claims.
Sep 1, 2017, 12:39 pm
#892
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,224
UA now providing electronic notice of EC261/2004 for OLCI
I am not certain if this is a change in policy by UA, or if it related to my recent EC261/2004 claims, but when my son did OLCI for his most recent flight from LHR he received the EC261/2004 notification on the screen.
I am guessing there were enough people stating they never receive the notice from UA when there was a delay (I certainly never did).
I am guessing there were enough people stating they never receive the notice from UA when there was a delay (I certainly never did).
Sep 1, 2017, 3:42 pm
#893
Join Date: May 2006
Location: MYF/CMA/SAN/YYZ/YKF
Programs: COdbaUA 1K MM, AA EXP, Bonbon Gold, GHA Titanium, Hertz PC, NEXUS and GE
Posts: 5,843
I am not certain if this is a change in policy by UA, or if it related to my recent EC261/2004 claims, but when my son did OLCI for his most recent flight from LHR he received the EC261/2004 notification on the screen.
I am guessing there were enough people stating they never receive the notice from UA when there was a delay (I certainly never did).
I am guessing there were enough people stating they never receive the notice from UA when there was a delay (I certainly never did).
Sep 4, 2017, 3:14 pm
#894
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Radisson Rewards Gold, Best Western Diamond Select
Posts: 1,856
Just filed a claim based on my situation here
Exact time of flight cancellation
Asked for 600 euros each but it will be a fight to the end. We'll see what happens, I think at least my hotel bill should be covered under the legislation. Beyond that even if my claim was approved BHX is stopping flights in a month so getting paid seems rather impossible.
Exact time of flight cancellation
Asked for 600 euros each but it will be a fight to the end. We'll see what happens, I think at least my hotel bill should be covered under the legislation. Beyond that even if my claim was approved BHX is stopping flights in a month so getting paid seems rather impossible.
Sep 4, 2017, 3:34 pm
#895
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,616
It will properly be denied. There was no delaying event in the EC. Not to mention that a hurricane which shut down IAH entirely will likely qualify as extraordinary circumstances.
Last edited by Kacee; Sep 4, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Sep 4, 2017, 3:46 pm
#896
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: EWR/LHR/SFO
Programs: UA 1K 1MM
Posts: 574
Sep 4, 2017, 4:05 pm
#897
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Radisson Rewards Gold, Best Western Diamond Select
Posts: 1,856
Even within extraordinary circumstances the airline is still responsible for hotels and meals, I was offered nothing. Since I hadn't reached the final destination and came from the EU united at least owes me 4 nights hotel. I ate mostly cash meals so that's fine.
Sep 4, 2017, 5:50 pm
#898
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,224
FWIW - once you realized there was a natural disaster I am not certain why you did not ask UA to rebook you on the next flight back to BHX rather than where you did not want/need to be especially for four nights. I am assuming there are other facts you have not provided to support that length of time for which UA will agree is why they should pay for four nights of accommodation (and meals?).
Sep 4, 2017, 7:53 pm
#899
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Radisson Rewards Gold, Best Western Diamond Select
Posts: 1,856
So what is your question?
FWIW - once you realized there was a natural disaster I am not certain why you did not ask UA to rebook you on the next flight back to BHX rather than where you did not want/need to be especially for four nights. I am assuming there are other facts you have not provided to support that length of time for which UA will agree is why they should pay for four nights of accommodation (and meals?).
FWIW - once you realized there was a natural disaster I am not certain why you did not ask UA to rebook you on the next flight back to BHX rather than where you did not want/need to be especially for four nights. I am assuming there are other facts you have not provided to support that length of time for which UA will agree is why they should pay for four nights of accommodation (and meals?).
Oct 3, 2017, 2:29 pm
#900
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Radisson Rewards Gold, Best Western Diamond Select
Posts: 1,856
United finally responded after 29 days. They said EU 261 doesn't apply, not even duty of care. However, they are giving $600 voucher anyway. My guess is they realized duty of care did apply (hotels/meals) and would rather give a voucher than cash. I'll take it.