Self-claim, FFCheck letter, or commission service — when which?

Who needs which option? Here is the honest comparison. No marketing spin, just what fits your situation.

Option 1: 100% DIY (write and send yourself)

• Cost: €0. Plus 2-4 hours of your time to read up on EU 261, Sturgeon, Wallentin-Hermann, and Dutch escalation routes + draft the letter.
• For whom: legally literate travellers with time, or people who want to avoid the price psychology of €9.99.
• Risk: omitting any legal citation weakens your position. The airline immediately sees you as an amateur, and often offers a lower settlement or a voucher as "compromise".
• Reality check: for the typical passenger, building the knowledge costs more than €9.99 in free time.

Option 2: FFCheck letter (€9.99 flat)

• Cost: €9.99 for the letter. You send it to the airline yourself.
• For whom: travellers who want to keep the full payout (no commission) but don't have time to dive into the legal depth themselves.
• Advantage: the letter cites EU 261 Art. 5/7, Sturgeon C-402/07, Wallentin-Hermann C-549/07, ILT escalation, Geschillencommissie, cantonal court (Art. 6:119 BW). Airline knows immediately you're prepared.
• When less suitable: for very complex multi-carrier international claims you genuinely don't want to follow up yourself.

Option 3: commission service (AirHelp 35% / Flightright 30% / EUclaim 27% / Compensair 25%)

• Cost: 25-35% of your payout. On €400 claim: €100-€140 gone.
• For whom: travellers who want zero hassle, willing to give up 25-35% for "hands-off" service.
• Advantage: they do everything — airline communication, possible court action, payout admin.
• Risk: PoA transfer (giving up control), data sharing, often 8-14 week timeline, and on court action sometimes extra fees.

Decision table:

• Time + legal interest? → DIY.
• Want to keep 100% of payout without legal research? → FFCheck.
• Truly want zero involvement and accept 25-35% loss? → Commission service.

Our bias is clear — but the math is clearer: on a €400 claim FFCheck is €130 better than AirHelp. On a family of 4 €600 claim: €840 better. Per claim.