What now?
Step-by-step protocols for concrete situations: flight delayed, baggage lost, hotel overbooked, codeshare bounce, rental deposit retained.
All 8 topics
Flight 3+ hours delayed — what now?At 3 hours arrival delay you are entitled to €250-€600 compensation (Sturgeon ruling). Here is the practical sequence.Read Baggage not arrived — what now?Not all missing baggage is lost — usually delayed. But without a PIR right after arrival your claim is legally crippled. Follow this order.Read Hotel overbooked at arrival — what now?An overbooked hotel is the hotel's business risk — not yours. You're entitled to equivalent alternative + all additional costs + contract rescission.Read Denied at gate (overbooking) — what now?Refused despite a valid booking? This is an Art. 4 EU 261 situation. Compensation €250-€600 + reimbursement/alternative choice + meals + hotel. Sequence of actions below.Read Car rental withheld deposit — what now?The retention shifts business risk to you. Demand evidence: before-and-after photos, independent repair invoice, dating. Don't get them? Recover under Art. 6:74 BW.Read Missed connection due to delay — what now?First flight "only" 90 min late but you missed connection and arrived 6 hours late at destination? Folkerts ruling (C-11/11) gives you right to €250-€600. Not the en-route delay — the arrival delay at the final destination counts.Read Flight cancelled less than 14 days ahead — what now?Cancellation within 14 days before departure = compensation (€250-€600), unless the re-routing falls within tight margins. Almost always in your favour.Read Travel insurer refuses claim — what now?Insurers count on delay + discouragement. The burden of proof for exclusion rests with them (Art. 7:925 + 7:952 BW). Steps to enforce that.Read