jsloan

It wouldn’t be. EC.261 permits airlines to offer alternative compensation — UA normally offers a $1000 voucher instead of the €600 cash — but specifically states that the airline has a duty to inform the passenger of their rights and that all options have to be presented. No court would believe that the passenger accepted a $250 voucher in lieu of €600.

But, again, it’s simple enough just to request the EC.261 comp first and then go back to United Cares.

swiftaw

Thanks,

Yes, there is no way I’m touching the United Cares offer until after I receive the EU261 compensation.

What’s the best way to claim the EU261 compensation? Email Customer Service or is there a webform?

cfischer

Emailing CS will work. Expect up to 1 month to hear back

lincolnjkc

New to the EC 261 world so want to make sure I understand...

Ticketed UA MAD-IAD-CLE (total journey ~6600km per great circle map). All same ticket, all UA metal.

IAD-CLE took a maintenance delay/AC swap that is currently posting a 3:02 late departure and an almost 3 hour late arrival (since we're at :15 past the departure time now and they're still loading bags I'd be a bit shocked if reality isn't a bit north of 3 hours arrival)

Since the flight with the delay occurs entirely outside of the EU put part of a trip beginning in the EU...does this matter (foggy from wikipedia and skimming the thread)?

if that is not a "do not pass go" answer, I'm getting conflicting interpretations... In some cases (including europa.eu) there's an unconditional "if the delay exceeds 3 hours you're entitled to compensation"; from what I've gathered elsewhere, based on the total trip distance the delay would have to exceed 4 hours for EC261 to kick in.

So end of the day question: Any reason to/not to pursue an EC261 claim assuming we do finally clock in at 3+ hours?

WineCountryUA

As a read of recent posts will cover, UA is not enthralled about EC261 compensation due to purely a domestic flight. The EU courts have extended EC261 to cover connecting non-EU flights but UA and other domestic carriers are feel otherwise. Do not expect this is be an easy route.

mindrisa

My flight from MAD-EWR (5/28) was cancelled due to a technical issue. I was rebooked on a United flight the following day (5/29) which did not work for me, so ended up taking a Lufthansa flight instead (on 5/28). I was put in Business Class so am guessing there is no further reimbursement, but would like to verify. Is any further reimbursement warranted for a 1K? Thanks!

goodeats21

How delayed were you in arriving from your original time? EU261 may come into play if you were significantly delayed.
Lots of details in the wiki of {this} thread.

WineCountryUA

Besides the potential EC 261 and potential inconvenience comp (that is separate), you may want to wait and see how this posts for PQPs. If it was going to be more as a UA flight or you want Lifetime miles, you can request ORC
Original Routing Credit (ORC) After Involuntary Re-Routing/Re-Booking (Merged)

mindrisa

Thank you both for the info. I was originally scheduled to arrive at EWR on United at 1:25pm but arrived via Lufthansa at 3:45pm. If we had stayed on the United flight we were rebooked on, it would have been more than 24 hours later.

WineCountryUA

For 2:20 delay, no EC261 and generally no additional UA compensation for a delay. But ORC is still an option.

mindrisa

Thank you WineCountryUA. How would it work for my husband? Same flights and also 1K. Booked in E+ on United due to status but Economy on Lufthansa. Had to pay at airport to upgrade to Premium Economy for the extra legroom. Is that reimbursable?

lincolnjkc

Likely an up hill battle because that's a higher class of service, i.e. E+ =/= PE, it's just economy with seats slightly further apart. Had he been booked in Premium Plus (UA's premium economy product) this would be more likely -- and more likely to have wound up there "automatically".. you could ask but not get hopes up.

goodeats21

I would send 1k voice an email briefly advising circumstances and the amount paid to get into a seat with better leg room as United's mechanical forced a rebooking onto LH without any E+ options.

Very unlikely you will get cash back, but likely to receive an offer of either United Miles or United Travel credit.

mindrisa

Thank you goodeats21. I will definitely do that as I would be happy with a travel credit.

swiftaw

Just an update. It only took CS a week to get back to me, they gave me two options as alternatives to the EC261 600 euros cash. A $1000 ETC or 50000 miles. I'm taking the ETC. Thanks everyone.

Edit: An update to the update. After i received the $1000 ETC I went back to the United Cares email I got that offered me a $250 ETC, and claimed that too, so I have both ETCs