How to claim Turkish Airlines compensation?
How to claim flight delay compensation from Turkish Airlines?
Claiming compensation from Turkish Airlines can vary depending on the compensation type. In some cases, you have the choice to handle the claim yourself or enlist the help of a flight compensation company with expertise in this area. However, there may be situations where handling the claim on your own is the only option. It’s important to differentiate between compensation and refund, as these terms are not the same.
Depending on the scenario, you may be eligible for compensation, a refund, or both.
How to Claim Turkish Airlines Compensation?
How to claim Turkish Airlines compensation for a disrupted flight?
The procedure for claiming compensation is subject to the kind of compensation you’re seeking. Here are some examples of common scenarios:
1. UK/EU Flight Compensation: Turkish Airlines
Bear in mind that airline technical problems or airline employee strikes are the airline’s liability, not exceptional circumstances.
1.1 Long Flight Delay
The prerequisites for securing flight delay compensation from Turkish Airlines are:
- The delay must have lasted 3 or more hours (calculated upon arrival);
- The delay must be due to the airline’s fault;
- The flight must be from Europe.
To lodge a compensation claim with Turkish Airlines, you should connect with their customer service centre via their website and complete a claim form. Make sure to reference Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and remain persistent with your communication.
You can also submit a claim with our partners.
Read more:
- Turkish Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
- Your Turkish Airlines Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
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.
1.2 Flight Cancellation
How to claim Turkish Airlines compensation for a cancelled flight?
To attain compensation from Turkish Airlines, these requirements should be met:
- It must be a last-minute cancellation (up to 14 days prior);
- The cancellation is due to Turkish Airlines’ fault (not due to adverse weather or other unforeseen circumstances);
- The flight is from Europe.
You can connect with the Turkish Airlines customer service centre via their website to lodge a claim. Don’t forget to reference Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and reiterate your rights to prevent claim denial from the airline.
Alternatively, submit a claim with our partners.
Read more:
- Turkish Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
- Your Turkish Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever. How Can You Expedite It?
1.3 Denied Boarding / Overbooking
The particular conditions to be eligible for denied boarding compensation include:
- Involuntary denial of boarding owing to overbooking;
- The airline’s error (i.e., overbooking), not issues with your travel documents, should be the cause of denied boarding;
- The flight must be from Europe.
Passengers without proper travel documents, like valid visas, won’t receive compensation. Passengers who willingly opt for alternate arrangements, such as taking a subsequent flight, may not be eligible for compensation.
How to claim denied boarding compensation?
You can connect with the Turkish Airlines customer care centre via their website.
Please mention Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
You also have the option to file a claim with our partners.
Read more: Turkish Airlines Denied Boarding Compensation
1.4 Missed Connection Flight
If your initial flight’s delays or cancellations resulted in you failing to catch a connecting flight and reaching your end destination 3 or more hours later than expected, you may be eligible for compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
However, this is applicable if:
- The delay is due to Turkish Airlines, not extraordinary circumstances (e.g., severe weather or pandemics);
- The flight is departing from Europe.
For claiming compensation from Turkish Airlines, reach out to their customer support centre through their website, and remember to reference Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Our partners can also assist you in filing your claim.
Read more: Turkish Airlines Missed Connection Compensation
1.5 Downgrading
If you are involuntarily downgraded on your flight, the airline is obligated to compensate you. The amount of compensation depends on the distance of your flight and can range from 30% to 75% of the ticket price. The airline must pay you this compensation immediately.
If they do not, you should get in touch with Turkish Airlines and file your claim. Note that vouchers or coupons offered by the airline are not mandatory for you to accept. In case you encounter any issues, refer to Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.
Read more: Turkish Airlines Flight Downgrade Compensation
As Turkish Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Turkish Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.
2. Baggage Compensation
How to claim Turkish Airlines compensation for luggage-related problems?
When it comes to baggage issues, there are two solutions at your disposal.
You can either contact your insurance provider to process the claim, or you can lodge a claim directly on Turkish Airlines’ website. Note that flight compensation companies typically do not manage baggage claims.
2.1 Damaged Baggage
If your checked baggage was damaged, here’s your plan of action.
Adhere to these steps:
- File a damage report at the airport within 7 days of receiving your luggage;
- Provide the necessary details;
- Make a claim online;
- Get damaged baggage compensation of up to €1300.
Read more: Turkish Airlines Damaged Baggage Compensation
2.2 Delayed Baggage
In the event that your baggage is delayed, adhere to this comprehensive guide:
- Lodge a missing bag report at the airport;
- Obtain the Property Irregularity Report or PIR that is accompanied by a unique reference number;
- Oversee your bag’s status online using your reference number;
- Receive reimbursement for your expenses (necessary items you were compelled to purchase due to the delay).
Read more: Turkish Airlines Delayed Baggage Compensation
2.3 Lost Baggage
There could be situations where your checked bag goes missing.
Should this happen, follow these directives:
- Report the loss of your bag at the airport;
- Obtain the Property Irregularity Report with a unique reference number;
- Monitor your bag’s status online, utilizing your reference number;
- If your bag stays lost after 21 days, provide a list of items you had in your bag, to receive compensation of up to €1300;
- Besides the compensation, you may also lodge a claim for any additional expenses.
Read more: Turkish Airlines Lost Baggage Compensation
3. Turkish Airlines Refund For Cancellation
Should your flight with Turkish Airlines be cancelled, you can choose to get a refund of the amount you spent on the flight. Depending on the situation, you might also qualify for compensation. To claim your refund or compensation, it’s crucial to contact Turkish Airlines promptly. If needed, follow up after a few weeks.
You can learn more about this process in the linked article.
Read more: Turkish Airlines Refund For Cancellation
As Turkish Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Turkish Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.
3.1 What If You Cancel a Turkish Airlines Flight?
If you decide to cancel a Turkish Airlines flight, the refund process is relatively simple.
To cancel your reservation, you have two options: either go to the Turkish Airlines website and cancel it online, or contact their customer service. Once the cancellation is done, you need to request a refund. The refund amount will be determined by the fare conditions of your ticket.
However, note that not all tickets are refundable. If you bought a non-refundable ticket, you might not be able to get a refund, or you might face substantial cancellation charges. Therefore, it’s crucial to thoroughly understand the fare rules before buying a ticket.
Please note that if you are eligible for a refund, cancelling the flight yourself will not entitle you to compensation. Compensation under Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 is only applicable when the airline cancels the flight, not when the passenger cancels.
In summary, if the fare conditions allow, you may receive a refund for your ticket. However, please note that you cannot claim compensation for flights that you have cancelled yourself.
Do Not Agree to Turkish Airlines Vouchers
When you are owed European flight compensation or a refund from Turkish Airlines, it’s essential to remember that you are not obligated to accept Turkish Airlines vouchers as compensation. You have the right to ask for money instead (cash or bank transfer).
When dealing with Turkish Airlines customer service, remember to mention Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 and explicitly state your preference for a bank transfer instead of vouchers. If the customer service representative does not offer a bank transfer, politely request to speak with their supervisor or manager.
Yes – it is your right to receive your compensation or refund from Turkish Airlines without being forced to accept vouchers as payment.
As Turkish Airlines is a non-European airline, these EU regulations apply only to Turkish Airlines flights departing from the EU and the UK.
Claiming Turkish Airlines Flight Compensation On Your Own
How to claim Turkish Airlines compensation on your own?
When seeking compensation from Turkish Airlines on your own, it’s crucial to stay determined and fully understand your rights. Like other airlines, Turkish Airlines may try to avoid providing compensation by exaggerating issues or improperly categorising technical issues as extraordinary circumstances (which they are not – technical problems are not considered extraordinary). Some airlines may even propose vouchers instead of monetary compensation.
This is not a situation that is exclusive to Turkish Airlines; it’s a common practice among airlines worldwide.
In short, to succeed in gaining flight compensation from Turkish Airlines by yourself:
- Determine your eligibility for compensation. Verify whether your case, under EC Regulation No. 261/2004, justifies flight compensation or a refund. It is important to note here that Turkish Airlines, although not a European airline, is still subjected to European regulations, but only for flights that are departing from Europe.
- Keep all relevant documents. This includes boarding passes, tickets, receipts, and any other proof related to your flight and expenses.
- Contact Turkish Airlines. Put forth your claim directly to Turkish Airlines’ customer support. This interaction can be done via email, call, or their official website.
- Stand your ground. If the initial response is not satisfactory, don’t back down. Keep engaging with the airline and assert your right to compensation.
- Refuse vouchers. Don’t forget, you are entitled to monetary compensation. Do not agree to accept vouchers if offered.
- Take it a notch higher, if necessary. If the airline refuses to pay compensation, you might have to escalate the matter to a National Enforcement Body or even consider legal action.
By following these steps diligently, you can navigate the process of claiming flight compensation on your own. Remember, it can be a challenging process, but professional assistance is available if needed.
Court Action – Turkish Airlines
If Turkish Airlines rejects your compensation claim, you may need to consider taking legal action against the airline. However, before going to court, you have the option to escalate your claim to the NEB. This can help you avoid lengthy legal proceedings. A favourable decision from the NEB can strengthen your position and increase your chances of a successful outcome, even if the airline continues to deny compensation.
If, despite all your efforts, the airline maintains a refusal to grant compensation, filing a lawsuit against Turkish Airlines might be your next move. However, it is important to consider this as a last resort, only after exploring all other options for mediation and escalation. Keep in mind that legal proceedings can be demanding, both in terms of finances and time.
Therefore, it is essential to be well-prepared and fully aware of the situation before proceeding. However, if your claim falls within the scope of EC Regulation No. 261/2004 and you have the required evidence, taking legal action could be considered as your next course of action.
What is your experience with Turkish Airlines’ compensation claims? Have you ever received compensation from Turkish Airlines? Share your experience, or questions, in the comments.