EU261 for VDB? :D
 

LX380 had an equipment change on friday night and they were asking for VDB (250 euro, hotel and food) with seats on the flight the morning after. Three guys who work together took the VDB and were evidently planning on having a riotous p!ss up in Zurich instead of going home. I overheard one of them convincing the other two that they could each claim 600 euro under EU261 as well as the VDB comp. I'm fairly sure of the answer to this, but he's dreaming, right?

A more serious question though; is one entitled to EU261 compensation if the airline forcible denies you boarding (i.e. you don't volunteer), even if they offer you hotel, food and compensation at point of denial? If you want to get EU261 comp then do you have to turn down financial comp at the gate? Do you also have to turn down the hotel and food? Does accepting any of it negate your claim to EU261? Or, does turning it down negate your claim to EU261???

PS: LX did a fantastic job of dealing with this situation. The staff were great and we were kept well informed. Notification of overbooking was sent by text well in advance. Despite a few grumbles from people not getting their aisle/window/business class seat everyone got to Manchester on time and well served.

EU261 for VDB? :D
 

If you do a VDB you void your right to Comp, it's in the rules, it needs to be IDB involuntary...

By definition, if you volunteer you have not been denied boarding. You chose to accept rebooking and you do so on whatever terms you negotiate. Hope the numpties didn't spend "their" EUR 600!

If you are denied boarding, you are entitled to both a duty of care which would include hotel and meals appropriate to the time of day, and cash (equivalent) compensation.

Whether the EC 261/2004 compensation is paid at the gate or by bank transfer later is immaterial.

Err.. LX380 is ZRH-MAN which is 1000km

Therefore the compensation for IDB due under EC261 is exactly €250, which is what they were offered for VDB!

This assumes they were not connecting from/to elsewhere - which could potentially be the source of the misunderstanding.