Flights cancelled - costs/refund/compensation ?

[Whywaitfortomorrow]

Our flight back from Europe was cancelled and no return flights were available with airline until 3 days later. We took alternative airline and route back. The cost of the original flights was similar to the new flights. Extras were travel to airport/hotel, food and drink. I just wanted to know if we're entitled to our costs back plus EU compensation or do you claim for one or the other ? All the advice pages say we can claim a refund or costs but it wasn't clear if EU compensation is in addition to or instead of - airline provided a hotel but I couldn't sleep as I was so worried about how we would get home plus missing work. I'm have posted on 'Legal Matters' too.

You poor thing. I can only tell you my own experience, which was that when my long haul flight was cancelled I received a full refund for the flight plus compensation of over £500. It was the outbound leg though (and obviously I then didn't take the return either) so I don't know how they deal with the return leg only. Hope you get some clarity soon. NB it really wasn't clear from the website that I could claim for both - I had to look quite closely for the bit that told me I could! Good luck.

PS I often read these sorts of things in the weekend travel sections of newspapers (eg Times) - so if you get stuck it might be worth writing in and asking them to help you sort it.

Thanks Rhubarb. I tried to stick to facts on op but I am actually so cross at how it was handled rather than the cancellation itself. There was no one from the airline available to speak to and we were ushered out of departure lounge by security staff as flight was cancelled after midnight and everyone had gone home. It still feels quite surreal to be back home in UK. My husband and I both missed work so another 2 holiday days between us.

This link is really helpful, thanks to poster Collaborate:

europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm