Right to care

If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you are entitled to assistance (right to care) under Article 9 of the EU Regulation on Air Passenger Rights (EC No. 261/2004). This covers essential expenses such as meals, hotel accommodation, and transport. Important: not all costs are reimbursable. Read more about which expenses you can claim and which you cannot.

Reimbursable Costs

You can claim the following expenses from the airline:

✅Meals and refreshments in reasonable proportion to the waiting time

✅Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary (e.g. for a replacement flight the next day)

✅Transport between the airport and your accommodation (hotel or other lodging)

✅Two free means of communication (phone calls, emails, etc.)

Tip: Keep all receipts carefully as bank statements are not accepted by airlines.

Non-Reimbursable Costs

The following are not reimbursable:

❌Missed business appointments or workdays

❌Missed vacation days

❌Missed hotel nights or car rental costs

❌Alternative hotel accommodation if you were not satisfied with the one provided by the airline

❌Excessive spending on meals or drinks in relation to the waiting time (only hotel stays required due to the delay or cancellation must be reimbursed)

❌Alcoholic beverages

❌Lost or damaged baggage – these cases fall under the Montreal Convention, not EU 261/2004

❌Necessary replacement purchases such as clothing or toiletries due to lost or delayed baggage – also covered by the Montreal Convention

Claim Your Expenses with AVICLAIM

Airlines often provide vouchers for meals or hotel accommodation. However, sometimes passengers must pay the costs themselves. These expenses can be claimed along with your compensation. For that it is important to keep all your receipts.

With AVICLAIM, you can assert your rights easily and stress-free. You can submit your expenses directly with your compensation claim to us, we take care of the rest.

Claim expenses