Your three choices under EC261
When your flight is cancelled, you have three distinct choices under EC261. The airline must inform you of all three — though in practice they tend to emphasise whichever option costs them least. Your choices are: (1) a full refund of your ticket, (2) re-routing to your destination at the earliest opportunity under comparable conditions, or (3) re-routing at a later date of your choosing. These are rights, not favours.
Rebooking does NOT cancel your compensation right
This is the most important thing to understand. Accepting a rebooked flight does not waive your right to compensation. Compensation and re-routing are two separate entitlements under EC261. If you take the rebooking and your new flight arrives 3+ hours late compared to the original scheduled arrival, you are still entitled to compensation. The only way you lose your compensation right is if you sign a specific waiver document — and you should read anything carefully before signing at the airline desk.
Never sign anything that says 'I accept this as full and final settlement' at the airport check-in desk or service counter without reading it. These waivers have been used to extinguish valid compensation claims worth hundreds of pounds.
When you should take the rebooking
Take the rebooking if: the alternative gets you to your destination within a reasonable time, the purpose of your trip is still achievable, or there are no better options with other carriers. Then file your compensation claim separately afterward — it's not going anywhere. You have 6 years in the UK, 5 years in France, 3 years in Germany and Spain, 2 years in the Netherlands.
When you should request a refund instead
Request a full refund if: the cancellation makes your trip pointless (the event you were attending has passed), the alternative dates don't work for you, or the re-routing is wildly circuitous or takes two or more additional days. A full refund means the airline returns everything you paid for the flight — not just the base fare.
Duty of care while you wait
While you're waiting for any rebooked flight, the airline must provide meals and refreshments appropriate to the wait time, two free phone calls or emails, and hotel accommodation plus transport if you need to stay overnight. Keep all receipts — you're entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable expenses.
- Meals and refreshments during the wait (proportionate to delay)
- 2 free phone calls, emails, or fax messages
- Hotel accommodation if overnight stay is required
- Transport between the airport and hotel
- Full refund of unused tickets if you choose not to travel
Pro tip
Buy food and drinks at the airport yourself and claim reimbursement — don't rely on vouchers that may not work at every outlet. Reasonable is the standard — a three-course dinner with wine does not qualify as 'reasonable'.