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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To claim compensation for a delayed flight whilst on business?

34 replies

Countrylifeornot · 09/09/2019 16:56

Not me, but DH. His flight was delayed, then connecting flight cancelled, he was put up in a hotel overnight.

There is no workplace policy on this, would he be unreasonable to claim the few hundred Euros compensation from the airline that is apparently allowed under EU law?

Just wondering if it could land him in hot water in work as they booked the tickets really.

OP posts:
Sunflowers211 · 09/09/2019 17:11
Biscuit
kimlo · 09/09/2019 17:14

was he out of pocket for meals or anything?

I would ask my boss.

ButterflyOne1 · 09/09/2019 17:14

If there's nothing stated in his policy then you could claim however I'd get him to check with HR at work first just in case they see it as gross misconduct.

HerRoyalNotness · 09/09/2019 17:14

If that happens to us we have to return the compensation to the company. If doser of the policy

Cohle · 09/09/2019 17:16

I'd check with HR. At my firm he'd be told to keep it himself.

It's not worth risking misconduct allegations for the "few hundred Euros" surely?

Butchyrestingface · 09/09/2019 17:16

I've claimed compo on work related train journeys when the train was very late/delayed. Nobody put me up in a hotel though.

Not sure I'd do it in the circumstances described.

itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted · 09/09/2019 17:17

I claim delay repay if the train is delayed when I'm out for the day on business and even though work books and pays for the ticket I get the refund personally

My justification is that it's compensation for me missing precious time with my family and the stress involved whilst stuck in a train station somewhere - same principle applies to your DH

itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted · 09/09/2019 17:20

If you think about it what's the compensation to the work for? They have paid for him to get from A to B which has been fulfilled - they aren't the ones inconvenienced and missing out on family time if its delayed - your husband has so he should be compensated for that

Hannah021 · 09/09/2019 17:20

I think the compensation is for the flyer, not the company... this is not a refund per se. It is a compensation for stress and delayed commitments and the rest.

I would go ahead and look at the airline's website, usually they requrest your flight ticket number, and they don't ask how you made the booking!

Worth a shot.

DungeonDweller · 09/09/2019 17:22

I think you're talking about the EU compensation for time/impact on traveller.. it's not a refund.

I'd keep it. I'd not even think to give it to the company!

If it was a refunded ticket that's different, and we'd be expected to return it ofc. This is a large national employer.

bridgetreilly · 09/09/2019 17:23

Your husband was the one inconvenienced, so he should get the compensation. But I would tell HR so that it's all above board.

EdersonsSmileyTattoo · 09/09/2019 17:23

DH travels regularly for work and has had delayed flights on several occasions and has claimed compensation.

It’s agreed with his direct manager and he’s allowed to keep the money.

Original poster
Countrylifeornot · 09/09/2019 17:28

Sunflowers no idea what the biscuit is for?

Thanks for all the replies. HR adviser shrugged and said there is no policy to cover this eventuality, perhaps he should get something written to prevent any repercussions.

The airline covered all expenses, hotel and dinner, and put him on a flight the next morning. Didn't cost the company anything, but nor did they get a refund on the flight.

The compensation would be for his time really, it's made the trip a day longer and eaten into our weekend.

OP posts:
CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 09/09/2019 17:38

I have done this but work make me pay upfront out my own pocket and reclaim do they're non the wiser.

Serves them right for not providing a company credit card or booking service (frequent traveller).

Aragog · 09/09/2019 17:42

The compensation is to compensate the person flying for their inconvenience - for them having to sit around waiting, not getting to where they want to be in time, etc.

Its not a refund of tickets, etc. Hence why it is a set amount for any passenger, regardless of age, regardless of how much the tickets cost originally or who booked the ticket.It is also in addition to food vouchers and accommodation that an airline may offer.

So technically - it was he who was sat around waiting, it was he who was inconvenienced at the airport. Therefore the compensation is his to claim.

I would however check with he employer as I can imagine some would try to claim the cash as their own/

Movinghouseatlast · 09/09/2019 17:43

The compensation is for the inconvenience to him personally, so not unreasonable at all.

My work has in the past reimbursed me the expenses I incurred, then they claimed via the airline. Thinking about it they have made a profit on me while I was stuck in Amsterdam for 4 nights unable to do loads of stuff I had planned to do at home!

NewPapaGuinea · 09/09/2019 17:47

Compo is for him as he was personally inconvenienced.

lovemenorca · 09/09/2019 17:47

I claimed for a late train
It was me sat on stifling train and late home to my children
So I kept the reimbursement

wineandroses1 · 09/09/2019 17:59

If HR has ok’d it then what’s the problem?

In my previous company we travelled a lot and a colleague made a claim re delays, kept the money and was fired for it. They didn’t see it as compensation for his delay they saw it as a refund against their cost which he chose to keep.

wineandroses1 · 09/09/2019 18:02

This was one of the biggest banks in the world. They thought he was dishonest,

scubaqueen1 · 09/09/2019 18:06

You can claim it. I used to be delayed on planes and trains and always claimed compensation and so did colleagues. The extra cash came in handy and you can claim for clothing and toiletries in addition to the compensation if you can't get luggage off too. It's a real pain hanging around airports waiting to see what's happening with flights though.

MaterMetella · 09/09/2019 18:07

If he's having qualms about keeping the money then he could consider putting it in the 'office Christmas party pot' or if the firm has a 'charity of the year' then giving to that?

nononever · 09/09/2019 18:10

The airline covered all expenses, hotel and dinner, and put him on a flight the next morning. Didn't cost the company anything, but nor did they get a refund on the flight.

Why would they get a refund on the flight? They put him on a flight the next day, that isn't free.

ShirleyPhallus · 09/09/2019 18:12

What’s the biscuit for?! Confused

It’s in my travel policy that if we are personally disrupted - ie eating in to personal time or delayed in to a weekend so can claim back for personal disruption as it’s our time

If it’s in to company time (ie an outgoing flight is delayed so you miss a morning of meetings) we cannot claim but our assistants will claim on behalf of the company

I think the above approach is very reasonable

Petrichor11 · 09/09/2019 18:17

I think YANBU but what any of us think on here is irrelevant really. If HR are shrugging their shoulders then I would speak to his line manager for guidance or at least to cover his arse (ideally get confirmation via email).