Question 1

What is 'EU 261' and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

It's the short name for European Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, the EU law that says airlines have to pay you cash compensation when they delay, cancel, or overbook your flight (within their control). €250 for short flights, €400 for medium, up to €600 for long-haul. It applies to any flight departing from an EU airport, and to flights arriving in the EU operated by an EU airline. You don't need to know the details, that's what we're for.

Question 2

How much does Refundio cost?

Accepted Answer

Nothing if we don't get you paid. Our standard fee is 35%. If we have to take the airline to court, the fee becomes 50% to cover legal costs.

Question 3

So I really pay nothing upfront?

Accepted Answer

That's right. No fee to look at your case, no fee to chase the airline, no admin charge. And if we lose the fight? You don't owe us a penny — every lawyer bill stays on our tab.

Question 4

Why 50% if it goes to court?

Accepted Answer

Court means filing fees, expert witnesses, interpreters, and a lot of lawyer hours. We pay for all of it upfront, out of our own pocket — and if we lose, the whole bill stays with us. It's a fair trade: we cover the money and the work, you sleep through the wait.

Question 5

How does the upfront payout actually work?

Accepted Answer

We're the only ones on the market doing this. You don't have to ask — we check every case ourselves. If we can buy your claim out, the offer lands in your inbox. Entirely up to you whether to take it. Say yes, and the money's in your account in days. The months of waiting and the dispute risk become our problem, not yours.

Question 6

What if a competitor offers me more?

Accepted Answer

Send us their offer and we'll match it. Case-by-case, of course, the offer has to be real, current, and generally available, not a one-off discount you talked someone into. Worth knowing: most of our competitors quote their commission net of "processing fees", "transfer fees", "VAT handling", and so on. We don't. The percentage you see is the percentage you pay. No surprises at payout.

Question 7

When do I actually get the money?

Accepted Answer

If your claim qualifies for upfront purchase (most do), the cash hits your account within 1 to 7 business days after you accept our offer. We pay in EUR or CZK depending on your preference.

Question 8

What if the airline refuses to pay you back?

Accepted Answer

That's our problem, not yours. Once we've bought your claim, the money is yours forever. We chase the airline through legal channels, including court if needed. You owe us nothing more. We absorb 100% of the downside.

Question 9

Is the compensation taxed?

Accepted Answer

Generally no, EU 261 compensation is treated as damages, not income, in most EU states. We'll advise on your specific country if you ask.

Question 10

How far back can I claim?

Accepted Answer

Up to 3 years in most EU countries, and in some jurisdictions even longer. That delayed flight from 2022 might still qualify. Drop the details in our 2-minute form and we'll check.

Question 11

What if I booked through a travel agent?

Accepted Answer

Still covered. EU 261 follows the flight, not the booking channel. You're the passenger, you're entitled.

Question 12

What about codeshare flights?

Accepted Answer

The operating carrier is liable, that's whoever actually flew the plane, not whoever sold you the ticket. Sometimes that's the same company, sometimes not. We'll figure it out.

Question 13

Does my nationality matter?

Accepted Answer

No. Citizenship doesn't matter. What matters is the flight: where it departed and the airline that operated it. EU 261 protects everyone on a covered flight.

Question 14

What do I need to start?

Accepted Answer

Flight number, date, and route. That's it. If you have your booking confirmation we'll ask for it later, but we can usually start the case without it.

Question 15

Will I need to go to court?

Accepted Answer

Almost never. Only ~2% of our cases reach court, and when they do, we represent you. You don't appear, you don't pay legal fees, you don't lift a finger.

Question 16

Can I claim for the whole family?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each passenger is entitled separately, so a family of four on a delayed long-haul could be owed up to €2,400. One form covers everyone on the same booking.

Question 17

Why is the form so short?

Accepted Answer

Because we don't need more. We pull most of the data from public flight records once you give us flight number + date. Your time is better spent on the beach.

Question 18

What if I already complained to the airline and they refused?

Accepted Answer

Perfect, that refusal letter is often the strongest evidence we have. Send it our way.

Question 19

What about a connecting flight on two different airlines?

Accepted Answer

If you booked them on ONE ticket (one PNR), EU 261 covers the whole journey. If you booked them separately, only the legs covered individually qualify.

Question 20

What if the airline went bankrupt?

Accepted Answer

Trickier but not hopeless. We've recovered compensation from bankruptcy estates and successor entities before. Worth a check.

Question 21

What if my flight was operated by a non-EU airline?

Accepted Answer

Depends. If you DEPARTED from an EU airport, you're covered regardless. If you arrived in the EU on a non-EU airline, you're not, EU 261 only protects flights starting in the EU on non-EU carriers.

The honest answers.

Your flight was ruined.
Make it pay.

The honest answers.

Your flight was ruined.Make it pay.

Your flight was ruined.
Make it pay.