SmartLynx Denied Boarding Compensation

SmartLynx overbooking compensation / denied boarding compensation.

How much is flight overbooking compensation? Rules? How to get it?

Overbooking is a common practice. Airlines often overbook their flights (i.e. sell more tickets than there are seats) to ensure that there are no empty seats at take-off. Because there are always no-shows. Overbooking allows airlines maximize capacity of their flights. But there are situations when all passengers show up. What happens then? Someone has to be denied boarding. When that happens, the passenger is entitled to EU denied boarding compensation.

And SmartLynx is no exception. 

There are two ways you can claim this compensation.

1. SmartLynx Overbooking Compensation: EU Denied Boarding Regulations

Have you been denied boarding by SmartLynx? 

What are your rights? Will you be booked on a new flight? In which situations are you entitled to denied boarding compensation from SmartLynx? When it comes to denied boarding due to overbooking, the rules are simple – you have a right to receive care from the airline, and, in certain cases, to compensation from the airline. 

If you’re flying to/from Europe with SmartLynx, and you are denied boarding due to overbooking — you are entitled to flight overbooking compensation (EU denied boarding compensation) up to €600.

This only applies to overbookings.

The EU regulation apply only to situations when you are denied boarding due to overbooking. All other situations are not covered by the regulation. You won’t be entitled to compensation if you are denied boarding due to visa or passport issues, or if you voluntarily give up your seat.

Does the regulation cover charter flights? Yes. Even though SmartLynx is a charter airline, you are protected on its flights.

Read more: 

• Regulation (EC) No 261/2004; 
• Regulation UK261

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.

1.1 Voluntary Denied Boarding

What is voluntary denied boarding?

Yes, there are different types of denied boarding. 

Your flight is overbooked. SmartLynx has sold more tickets than there are seats. But, unfortunately, all people have showed up for their flight. Now the airline has to look for volunteers. These volunteers are offered a new flight (for free) and some perks, such as a free meal, instant compensation (cash or vouchers) and, in case of a long delay, a free hotel stay.

You might be offered all of this as well. If you are offered compensation like this and you accept it, it’s called voluntary boarding denial.

In this case, you aren’t entitled to denied boarding compensation from SmartLynx.

You don’t have to agree to an offer like this.

1.2 Involuntary Denied Boarding

There are situations when passengers don’t have a choice.

There are not enough volunteers and not enough seats. The airline has no choice but to deny boarding to some of its passengers. People with confirmed tickets will be refused boarding (involuntarily). It’s called involuntarily denied boarding.

If this has happened to you, you are entitled to compensation.

What happens in case of involuntary denied boarding?

• The airline must provide you with a new flight;
• The airline must refund you fully should you decline the new flight provided;
• In addition to that, you are entitled to receive care from the airline*;
• You are entitled to compensation up to €600 per passenger. 

* SmartLynx must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If you have to wait overnight, SmartLynx must provide you with free accommodation and free transfer from and to the airport.

1.3 Right to Care

All passengers travelling with SmartLynx have a right to care.

Even though SmartLynx is a charter airline, you have a right to care. According to the EU regulations, passengers are protected not only on scheduled flights, but also on charter flights.

If you have to wait at the airport for a new flight, you are entitled to certain services for free. If you are denied boarding, or if it’s a last-minute cancellation or a long delay, and you have to wait at the airport, you have a right to receive care from SmartLynx. As long as you have to wait for 3 or more hours extra.

It includes flight disruptions caused by extraordinary circumstances.

What does it mean for you as a passenger?

SmartLynx must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If the flight is only on the next day, the airline has to offer a free hotel stay and free transfer. 

Agreeing to these free services doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation.

Contact the airline if you haven’t been offered anything.

2. How to Claim SmartLynx Flight Compensation? How to Claim Flight Overbooking Compensation?

You can claim compensation yourself.

The other option is to work with professionals.

Claiming compensation from SmartLynx yourself. Write an e-mail to SmartLynx customer support center and request denied boarding compensation. You can find all e-mail addresses on SmartLynx’s website. Alternatively, use the SmartLynx complaint/contact form on their website. Refer to the above mentioned EU Flight Compensation regulation (EC) No 261/2004. Keep in mind that it may take months until the process is completed, and you receive denied boarding compensation SmartLynx owes you. Ask for the right amount of money in pay, and don’t accept any SmartLynx coupons. The airline might refuse to cooperate, and you will need to take extra steps to get compensation.

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

Register your SmartLynx compensation claim with the help of a flight compensation company. In this case, you don’t have to do much. You need to fill in and sign one form, and the flight compensation company will take it from there. They will claim compensation on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.

Read more: SmartLynx Missed Connection Compensation

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

It could be 2 months, and it could be 6 months.

Most people receive compensation within a few months. 

It depends on the airline, country you are flying from and time of the year. 

Quite often airlines aren’t cooperative and refuse to pay compensation. Then it is necessary to take the case to a national enforcement body or court. If that’s the case with your flight, it might take a few months until you receive your compensation. 

3. How Much Can You Claim?

In the EU compensation amounts are fixed.

In most situations they range from €250 to €600.

Here is how you can calculate SmartLynx compensation yourself:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 SmartLynx Voucher Code, Discounts or Cash?

According to the law, compensations have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.

If SmartLynx offers you a voucher instead of compensation or refund, you don’t have to accept it. Ask for a bank transfer instead. Because all airline compensations and refunds in the EU have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.

SmartLynx Denied Boarding Compensation: FAQ

Problems With Visa or Passport

EU – Non-EU Flights, Regulation UK261, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received SmartLynx overbooking compensation? Do you still have questions about SmartLynx compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.