KLM returned flight from CAG to ABZ cancelled and rebooked for 24h later

[guramrit_90@hotmail.com]

Hi,

Could anyone advise on my options for the following. I booked a returned flight with KLM from Aberdeen to Cagliari(transiting in Amsterdam). The outbound flight is unchanged but the return flight has been cancelled by the airlines and rebooked on a KLM flight 24hours later. The travel is for June 2024. I have tried contacting KLM but was advice that I can choose to cancel my ticket and be refunded or accept the change or select a new different date.

They were not helpful in answering if there is an option for compensation for the expenditure incurred for the extra night stay. I was advice to submit a claim post-travel and this will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Could anyone advise me if I can be compensated through the airlines for the additional cost incurred for the extra night stay based on their rescheduled flight 24hours later?

I also purchased the ticket with my amex card and am wondering if amex travel insurance though the platinum card will allow me to put a claim in for this delay/cancellation?

Thanks for your help

Amrit

[Lady London]

Hi Amrit, Welcome to HfP.

– Do you need to return as close as possible to your current booked time, say, for work?
– If you do, have you checked on other options to get from Cagliari back to Aberdeen, for example other airlines.

The short answer is
1. Yes if you have to stay an extra night due to this cancellation then the airline operating the flight that was cancelled must pay your hotel, also meals for the extra day at reasonable local prices, and any extra transport costs to/from hotel (eg if you have to change hotel because existing accommodation can’t do extra night). You’d keep receipts and claim. Note all contacts with airline about this, your request and their response, who you spoke to, date and time.

2. If you do have to still travel as near to your booked time as possible, tell them this and ask them for your rerouting rights under EU261. They are legally obliged to reroute you ie book you another way, even on another airline if they don’t have their own flights available. Be warned though it could mean you’d end up paying out and reclaiming. Some airlines even take months to pay and some will make you go to court and win judgment to get paid.

All you want to know is here https://www.headforpoints.com/forums/forum/bbpress-forums-category/eu261/

HeadforPoints threads above aee currently the best source of info on this for UK flyers.

Practically I suggest:
1. If you’re ok to stay the extra, ask them now where you should send your receipts for hotel and meals to. This puts them on notice you’ll be claiming. They can also offer to provide ypur hotel themselves (they didn’t when you asked, but listen carefully for the remote chance they now offer).

2. If you do need to get back as close as poss to time you booked, research before calling them. Try to find flights on Air France if possible, if no other KLM, as they are linked. Then look at other airlines. Or Cagliari to Rome, Milan etc then KL or AF via AMS or PAR to ABZ. Or from other Sicily place on KL or AF.

Call and explain you do still need to travel as close to time of cancelled flight as poss, ask them to reroute you. (EU261 again but stay nice and try to persuade them to do – as if they do it, no charge to you. Vs. them refusing and you having to pay something else and then chase for reimbursement and possibly legal claim). Mention flight numbers you’ve found that might work.

Do not under any circumstances accept a refund as that ends their rerouting obligation to you. Technically it may not, but it makes it much harder to make a full claim if ypu do. A reroute or another way of you getting home is likely to cost very much more than a refund in quite a lot of cases.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

[guramrit_90@hotmail.com]

Just to update on this.

I contacted KLM following the flight change notice and their response was the following
‘ Thank you for your message. You have reached a service agent. I regret to hear that you have to book an additional overnight stay due to the disruption. While I can imagine the inconvenience this might bring, I kindly advise you to arrange the necessary accommodation for yourself. From Social Media, I cannot assist with this part.

Once you are at your destination, you can request reimbursement of the costs with KLM’s Customer Care. This can be done via the website: http://klmf.ly/1t3lpYU. Note that I cannot guarantee (full) reimbursement of the unforeseen expenses. Rest assured that your request will be reviewed individually and carefully.

Despite everything, I wish you a pleasant continuation of your day.’

I have since completed my travels and submitted a claim on KLM website for which they have processed reimbursement for the additional night hotel stay and food.

Thanks for the advice