VAT refund in Europe: A complete guide to tax-free shopping in Europe for tourists
Many travellers miss out on the opportunity to claim back VAT refund. Dive into this guide and discover how to maximise your VAT tax refund in Europe.
Flight delays can be inconvenient, stressful and costly too, especially if you have to change your travel plans. The good news though is that under EU rules, you might be able to get compensation if your flight is delayed.
If you’ve recently flown with TUI Airways and your flight was delayed, read on. We’ve put together a handy guide to TUI flight delay compensation covering everything you need to know. This includes eligibility, compensation amounts and how to start a claim.
We’ll even throw in a handy money-saving tip for your next overseas trip - the Wise international debit card. It can be used in 175 countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend or withdraw cash.
But first, let’s get that TUI flight delay compensation claim sorted for you.
Let’s run through your options if your TUI flight is delayed, including claiming expenses, refunds and compensation.
If your flight with TUI is delayed by at least two hours, you can claim certain expenses from the airline¹.
These are for costs you’ll incur while you wait, such as food and drink, and access to phone calls and emails. You can even claim for accommodation if your flight is delayed overnight, and for transport between the airport and hotel.
You may receive a voucher from TUI in the airport for some or all of these expenses. Alternatively, you should keep your receipts so that you can make a claim after your trip.
An important thing to know is that the delay has to be at least two hours for flight distances of less than 1,500km. But it must be 3 hours for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km, and 4 hours for longer flights of more than 3,500km¹.
If your TUI flight is delayed by at least 5 hours, you don’t have to take it. You’re legally entitled to a full refund¹.
If you do decide to take your flight, you may be able to claim compensation for the delay under something called your EU-261 Passenger Rights. We’ll cover how it works next.
EU-261 regulations are part of EU laws brought in back in 2004. They aim to protect passengers against the cost and inconvenience of severely delayed flights.
Under your EU-261 Passenger Rights, you’re entitled to compensation for delayed flights under particular circumstances. The regulations cover flights leaving from a UK or EU airport, regardless of the airline. They set out how much compensation you can receive based on:
Crucially, not all flights are eligible for compensation under EU-261. The delay has to be the airline’s fault, for a reason such as overbooking or a technical problem with the plane.
If the cause of a delay can be put down to ‘extraordinary circumstances’ outside of the airline’s control, you might not get any compensation. Examples include²:
Let’s take a look at how much you can claim in TUI flight delay compensation, according to the EU-261 regulations¹:
Delay | Flight distance | Compensation (per person) |
---|---|---|
3 hours+ | Under 1,500km | £220 |
Between 1,500km and 3,500km | £350 | |
4 hours+ | Over 3,500km | £520 |
Not sure of your flight distance? It’s as the crow flies from departure to arrival destinations, and should be reasonably easy to find out. One way to check your flight distance is on the WebFlyer website.
If you are eligible to claim compensation for a delayed TUI flight, read on. We’ve put together a handy step-by-step guide to putting in a claim, and a few tips on what to do if you encounter any problems.
But first, another important thing you need to know. You can only claim for flight delay compensation under EU-261 from the airline operating the flight. So, if you booked a package holiday with TUI but the flight was run by another airline, this is who you’ll need to contact to make your claim³.
Here’s how to start a compensation claim if your delayed flight was run by TUI Airways³:
Where possible, make sure to keep a copy or record of your claim.
TUI says on its website that it aims to process compensation claims within 14 days³.
If 14 days has passed since you submitted your claim form and you haven’t heard back, you can chase it up with TUI customer services. Call on 0203 451 2688³ to see where your claim is up to.
Not getting anywhere with TUI? If the airline isn’t paying up or the compensation amount is wrong, and you think you have a legitimate claim, you can make a complaint.
The place to go is Aviation ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution for Aviation). This manages consumer complaints about airlines on its membership list, including TUI⁴.
Already planning your next overseas trip? Make sure to check out the Wise international debit card, which could save you serious money on your holiday spending.
The Wise multi-currency card can be used in 175 countries, on everything from restaurants and hotels to shops and transport hubs. It’s a contactless card that automatically converts currency at the mid-market rate whenever you tap to pay for anything.
There’s only a small conversion fee, or there’s nothing to pay if you already have that particular currency in your Wise account.
You can even use your Wise card to withdraw up to £200 fee-free a month from international ATMs.
So whether you prefer contactless spending or cash, Wise has you covered.
Open your free Wise multi-currency account online, and order your Wise card for a one-time fee of just £5.
Sources used:
Sources last checked on date: 17-Oct-2022
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
Many travellers miss out on the opportunity to claim back VAT refund. Dive into this guide and discover how to maximise your VAT tax refund in Europe.
Sit tight, because you and I are about to fall into a trip together (get it?!). After all, it is *that *time of the year, when orange becomes the new black,...
This article gets you one step closer to your affordable vacation in Iceland by detailing your options for VAT refund in Iceland as a tourist.
Check out our in-depth guide on everything you need to know about buying a prepaid Barbados SIM card, including different providers, pricing, and features.
Check out our in-depth guide on everything you need to know about buying a prepaid Tunisia SIM card, including different providers, pricing, and features.
Read our Airalo eSIM review to learn how it works, how to activate it, and the different plans to stay connected on your travels.