TUI strike compensation in the EU and UK.
Are you eligible to it? How much can you claim? What are the rules?
Many people may not know that not all strikes are considered extraordinary circumstances. For instance, airline strikes aren’t considered extraordinary circumstances. So if TUI staff goes on strike (not other airport staff), and it results in a delay or cancellation of your flight, you may be eligible for compensation from TUI. This rule applies to all passengers on qualifying flights. In such situations, you may also have the right to receive assistance (care from the airline).
You can claim this compensation yourself, or you can hand it over to professionals.
1. TUI Strike Compensation
A strike has caused a delay or cancellation.
The rules are very simple and specific.
- Flight delay compensation. To receive TUI flight delay compensation, your flight delay must be at least 3 hours. Length of delay is calculated the moment the airplane doors are opened and passengers can leave (upon arrival at your destination).
- Flight cancellation compensation. To receive TUI flight cancellation compensation, it must be a last-minute cancellation. This means all TUI flights cancelled up to 14 days before the day of departure date. In such cases, you could be eligible for TUI flight cancellation compensation, and not just TUI refund for the cancellation.
Yes, it isn’t actually “TUI strike compensation” but flight delay/flight cancellation compensation.
The rules apply to all TUI flights to, within and from Europe.
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 Extraordinary Circumstances
Airline staff strikes aren’t extraordinary circumstances.
Just like technical problems with the airplane, and staff shortages are not considered extraordinary circumstances (i.e., events which could not be avoided).
But if your flight is cancelled last-minute, or delayed for a long time because of a strike or technical problem, the airline might say it was due to an unexpected event (extraordinary circumstance). The reason they do this is because in these situations they don’t have to pay you money for the trouble they caused. When it doubts, double-check what you are told!
1.2 Right to Care
Whenever you have to wait longer than planned, you have a right to care.
If you have to wait at the airport for 3 hours or more, you should get some free things like food and refreshments. If you have to wait longer than 3 hours, and it’s at night, TUI must give you a free hotel stay, and a ride to and from the airport for free.
TUI has to give you enough food and drink based on how long you’re waiting.
If they don’t offer you anything, ask the TUI staff at the airport for help.
2. How to Claim TUI Strike Compensation?
There are two ways to claim EU/UK flight compensation.
You can contact TUI directly through their website and request compensation for cancellation or delay. However, be aware that it may take several months for any progress to be made, and you may need to negotiate for the amount of compensation. TUI, just like other airlines, may deny your compensation claim, without giving an explanation (even when a compensation is due).
Or you can work with a flight compensation claim company. It is called “legal representation”.
In such a scenario, a European flight compensation company will handle everything on your behalf through legal professionals. You only need to fill out a compensation claim form, which will be provided by our partners offering such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more:
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
TUI should pay EU/UK flight compensation asap after approving the passenger’s claim. The actual timeframe may vary depending on the delay’s circumstances and the claim’s complexity. Sometimes, TUI may take longer than a couple of months to approve and pay the compensation.
Contact TUI if you haven’t received your compensation within a reasonable timeframe after submitting your claim.
This is one of the reasons why work with a flight compensation company. The company will do the work on your behalf. Including the negotiations with the airline, if there is no reply or payment.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
The compensation amounts are fixed and range from €250 to €600.
These amounts are regulated by the EU and UK regulations.
Here is how you can calculate the amount of TUI compensation:
When your destination is within the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
When your destination is outside the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km
3.1 TUI Voucher Refund or Cash?
You might be offered a voucher instead of compensation.
During the COVID crisis, some airlines offered vouchers instead of cash compensation when flights were cancelled. This practice has been common even before the pandemic, as it is cheaper for airlines to offer their services instead of issuing refunds.
However, it is important to note that you are not obligated to accept a voucher or coupon. If you prefer cash or bank transfer, it is your right to request it. Airlines are required to provide compensation and refunds in the form of cash or bank transfer.
TUI Strike Compensation: FAQ
My flight was cheap. Can I still get compensation?
Yes.
The price of your ticket has no influence on this. If you are entitled to compensation, you can get it even if your ticket cost €10. If you are entitled to €600 compensation for the delay, you will get €600, even if it was a very cheap ticket.
Do I need to have travel insurance in order to claim compensation?
No, you don’t.
These are two separate things.
You can claim compensation even if you don’t have insurance. According to Regulation EC 261/2004 (and Regulation UK261), passengers can get compensation if their flight has been heavily delayed due to the fault of the airline. It doesn’t matter if they have insurance or not.
Can my child/baby get compensation from TUI?
Yes.
The age of the passenger doesn’t matter. Kids and babies can get compensation, too. Even infants who have a special infant ticket. If you are entitled to compensation of 600 euro, your child/baby will be too.
These are the laws in the EU and the UK.
Can I claim compensation for my friend, relative, family member?
Yes, you can.
Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself.
Ask your friend/family member to provide with their passport copy and boarding pass. They will also need to sign any documents the airline will ask to sign. If you decide to work with a flight compensation company, in most cases there’s only one document to sign.
Can I claim compensation for old flights?
It depends on the laws of the country.
In most cases, in Europe, you can claim TUI compensation even for old flights that were 2-3 years ago. However, for the best results, we would recommend you to make a claim as soon as possible.
What to do if TUI is refusing to pay compensation?
TUI is refusing to pay compensation even though you are entitled to it.
What to do in such a situation? The best way is to hand over your case to a flight compensation company and ask them to help.
Alternatively, you may contact the respective national enforcement body and ask them for assistance. There are national enforcement bodies in all EU countries.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Regulation UK261, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If you’re flying with TUI, then yes, you can.
Even though TUI is a British airline, you are protected. When your TUI flight is departing from a country outside the EU (including the UK), you are protected under the UK Regulation UK261. Otherwise, you are protected by the EU Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004.
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
Are you flying with TUI?
Then yes, you can.
I am not a European. Can I get compensation?
Yes.
The UK and EU regulations protect all passengers — both tourists from overseas and Europeans alike.
Other Situations
TUI provided me with a free hotel stay and a free replacement flight. Can I still get compensated for the delay?
Yes.
As long as you are entitled to compensation, you can get it even if you were provided with a free hotel stay and replacement flight. A free hotel stay and replacement flight doesn’t affect your chances of receiving this compensation.
TUI took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
You might.
If you arrived at least 3 hours later than scheduled, and the delay was due to the fault of the airline, you can get compensation. Even if you were given a new ticket to your destination.
Have you ever had an experience with TUI strike compensation or refund? Did TUI pay the compensation in timely manner? Do you still have questions about TUI compensation policies? Ask in the comments.