This article will delve into the specifics of Air Europa vouchers.
What are Air Europa voucher types? How to exchange an Air Europa voucher for cash?
Airline vouchers frequently serve as a typical means of recompense for flight disruptions. However, it’s vital to differentiate them from the real compensation. This article describes a clear situation of the common instances in which you could be given an Air Europa voucher, explaining the entitlements you have in such situations. Keep in mind that opting for a voucher is typically a voluntary decision and not a mandatory one.
A voucher is not the same as flight compensation.
1. Air Europa Vouchers
In the event of a disruption on your Air Europa flight, you may receive an Air Europa voucher.
Air Europa vouchers can be used to pay for future airline tickets. However, keep in mind that you are not obligated to accept these vouchers for compensation or refunds.
It’s important to understand that airline vouchers come with some restrictions and downsides. They may have specific usage limitations depending on routes or destinations. Expiration dates are another important factor to consider. If you don’t use the voucher before it expires, you may lose the entire value, and in some cases, only receive a partial refund. This can be frustrating, as the voucher’s value could be lost due to expiration.
Additionally, note that airline vouchers may be non-refundable. If Air Europa issues a voucher, it could be non-refundable or have a value lower than what you’re entitled to.
Always check if a voucher is refundable. If it is, you have the option to request a monetary refund. This offers flexibility to purchase flights from other airlines, broadening your choices beyond the original issuing airline.
When considering vouchers as compensation, carefully evaluate their limitations and how they may affect your travel plans.
1.1 Why Airlines Opt for Vouchers Instead of Cash Compensation or Refunds?
Airlines frequently opt to provide vouchers to passengers affected by flight disruptions rather than offering immediate cash compensation or refunds, even if they are legally required to do so.
Several reasons justify this approach:
- Cost management. Vouchers tend to be a more cost-effective option for airlines compared to providing immediate monetary compensation. By offering travel vouchers, airlines can better manage their immediate financial expenditure and potentially distribute the costs over a more extended period.
- Customer retention. Vouchers play a role in retaining customer loyalty. Airlines aim to incentivize passengers to continue using their services even after experiencing flight delays, cancellations, or overbooking by offering vouchers.
- Operational efficiency. Administering vouchers can be a simpler and quicker process for airlines compared to handling cash compensation or arranging refunds via bank transfers. This streamlined administrative process simplifies the resolution for the airline, saving both time and resources.
2. Air Europa Voucher as Refund/Compensation
What led to your receipt of a voucher?
2.1 Your Flight Was Cancelled
In the event of your flight being cancelled, you must be given options.
If Air Europa cancels your flight, they are committed to offering you two alternatives: a cancellation refund or a different flight to your final destination (for free). This alternate flight could be on Air Europa or another airline, at no extra cost. In certain circumstances, you could also qualify for compensation due to the flight cancellation.
Remember that Air Europa refund and compensation must be deposited into your bank account. While the airline may propose Air Europa vouchers, it’s not obligatory for you to accept them.
2.2 You Cancelled a Flight
If it’s you, the passenger, who chooses to cancel your flight, the conditions differ.
According to Air Europa’s rules, your eligibility for a refund is significantly based on your ticket’s fare conditions.
Should your ticket be refundable, you’re eligible to claim your money back. If your ticket is non-refundable, you might not qualify for a total refund. Instead, Air Europa might issue a voucher for future travel with them.
However, it is crucial to check the specific terms and conditions of your ticket to confirm your rights in the event of cancellation.
2.3 Your Flight Was Delayed
There are two typical scenarios.
Either the delay was caused by Air Europa, or it wasn’t the fault of the airline.
If Air Europa is accountable for your flight delay, you might be eligible for flight delay compensation. It’s important to check your eligibility and insist on nothing less than what you deserve. The procedure and amount of flight compensation are prescribed by European Union regulations. Typically, compensation varies between 250 to 600 euros, though in special cases you might only receive half of that.
However, Air Europa may suggest a voucher instead of the compensation you’re entitled to. Firstly, it’s important to remember that voucher acceptance is up to you. Secondly, if you do choose to accept the voucher, make sure its value aligns with the lawful requirements.
If Air Europa is not responsible for your flight delay, then a voucher, if they’ve even issued one, can’t be exchanged for cash. As they’re not at fault for the delay, they’re not legally obligated to offer any form of compensation.
2.4 You Were Denied Boarding
In instances where the flight is overbooked, you, along with other passengers, maybe unwillingly denied boarding. As a passenger, you are entitled to either an alternate flight or a refund to your bank account. Additionally, you may also be eligible for compensation due to being denied boarding because of overbooking.
Similar to flight delays and cancellations, if you are due compensation, there’s no need to accept a non-refundable voucher. You can ask for the money to be transferred to your bank account.
If you voluntarily surrender your seat (voluntary denied boarding), a voucher might be offered to you too. It’s vital to understand the terms of this offer, including its refundability, the duration for which it’s valid, and any usage restrictions.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
2.5 Other Situations
Always be mindful of the nature of the offer that you are given.
In case of any uncertainties or concerns, it’s recommended to do your own research to ensure that you’re being accorded fair treatment. Our webpage discusses a variety of circumstances where you could be entitled to compensation or a refund. It’s important to remember that in numerous instances, Air Europa is required to give a full refund instead of a voucher, even if they propose the latter as the sole option. It’s vital to realise that these Air Europa vouchers do not equal flight compensation.
Here’s a summary of what you can get in every situation:
| Situation | EU flight compensation | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| Flight delayed for 3+ hours | If it’s due to the fault of Air Europa, you are entitled to flight delay compensation | No |
| Flight delayed less than 3 hours | No | No |
| Flight cancellation less than 2 weeks before the flight | If it’s due to the fault of Air Europa, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation | Choice between a refund and new flight (you can choose either) |
| Flight cancellation more than 2 weeks before the flight | No | Choice between a refund and new flight |
| You have cancelled a flight | No | Depending on the ticket |
| Boarding denial (due to overbooking) | You can get denied boarding compensation | Choice between a refund and new flight |
| You have given up your seat (voluntary denied boarding) | No | As per agreement with Air Europa |
The type of compensation you may receive will depend on the specific situation, and could include a refund, compensation, or both. It’s important to note that any payment you are entitled to must be made in cash or transferred directly to your bank account, depending on the circumstances.
Read more:
- How to Claim Air Europa Compensation?
- Your Air Europa Compensation Claim Is Denied. What’s next?
- Your Air Europa Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
- Your Air Europa Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
3. How to Exchange Air Europa Voucher for Cash?
With respect to changing a voucher into cash, two scenarios need to be considered.
Firstly, if you hold a refundable voucher, you can opt to change it into its cash equivalent. You can contact the airline to inquire about the procedure and stipulations for turning the voucher into cash.
Secondly, there might be instances where you receive a voucher in place of compensation or refund, contrary to regulations specifying that you should receive monetary compensation. In this case, too, it’s essential to get in touch with the airline to clarify the situation. By contacting them, you can voice your concerns and request the rightful compensation in cash rather than a voucher. It is crucial to stand up for your rights and guarantee that you get the fitting compensation as per the law.
4. How to Request a Refund From Air Europa?
To apply for a refund for your Air Europa flight, submit a request for a refund via the “Manage Your Reservation” section. The refund amount will usually be transferred using the same payment method that you used when you booked your ticket.
Depending on your ticket type and the circumstances surrounding your request, you may be in line for a full refund, partial refund or no refund at all.
4.1 Insist on an Air Europa Refund (or Compensation), Not Voucher
In many circumstances, you should be given a choice.
Legally, you have the right to reject Air Europa vouchers as compensation or refund.
It is because EU regulations necessitate both refund and EU flight compensation to be paid to your bank account, unless you, as a passenger, agree to a different arrangement. So Air Europa must offer that instead of vouchers.
For a comprehensive overview of all potential situations, please refer to the table provided above.
What if you have already accepted a voucher?
If Air Europa has given you a voucher instead of a cash refund or compensation, but you believe that you were entitled to cash, you can try to request an exchange. However, the chances of obtaining a full cash refund or compensation will depend on the specifics of your case. If Air Europa did not provide a satisfactory explanation or did not offer you the option to choose between a voucher and monetary compensation/refund initially, it is still worth trying to secure the funds.
What is your experience with Air Europa vouchers? Have you ever been given one? Was it a refundable Air Europa voucher or you could use it only for Air Europa flights?