AirHelp Review [2024]: Automatic Compensations for Travel?

Ah, Europe... the land of thriving cultures, mouth-watering foods, rich history, divine architecture, gob-smacking art, and laidback living. There's nothing truly like it. And just about everywhere on this continent, from the sunshine-packed Mediterranean to the deserted forefronts of Eastern Europe, is a bucket list destination!

Whether you're strolling through the magical Christmas markets, getting social on a Contiki tour, or embarking on a baguette-fueled backpacking adventure, Europe is filled with opportunities. Making your way around usually involves a string of flights, trains, buses, and taxis, and sometimes, transportation can take things down to a whole new level, though.

Getting stuck, sardine-like, in a people-packed airport is the last thing you need, especially before, during, or after the vacation of your dreams. This is where Berlin-based AirHelp comes in.

Whether you're dealing with a delayed, overbooked, or canceled flight, AirHelp claims they can help make getting your flight compensation easy. Let's take a look to see if that's the case.

What is AirHelp?

Coined as the globe's largest flight compensation claims company, AirHelp commits to passenger rights. Initially founded in 2013, the company has rapidly expanded, now working with law firms in over 30 countries and 16 languages.

Its sole focus is to help air passengers with the air compensation process, making it easier, quicker, and simpler.

What situations can AirHelp deal with?

Unsure when or if you are owed flight compensation? The crazy thing is that you often are, but the airline is unlikely to tell you. Here are a few situations in which you may be able to claim with or without the help of AirHelp.

• Canceled flights
• If your flight was canceled with next to no notice, you could claim up to $700 flight compensation + your refund.
• Flight delays
• If you had to wait for more than 3 hours for a flight that got delayed, you might be able to claim up to $700 in compensation.
• Missed connections
• If you arrived at your destination more than 3 hours late, you could claim compensation.
• Uncooperative airlines
• If the airline has rejected or ignored your claim, AirHelp can help check and process the claim for you.

What are Air Passenger Rights?

Get your glasses on because we're about to dive in. Air passenger rights are laws that protect travelers and offer compensation in case things go wrong. The specific situation changes from country to country. In particular, Europe's comprehensive EC 261 laws are known for their generous compensation terms.

Most people have no idea that they have rights, so AirHelp breaks down the specific laws in an easy-to-read form. Let's face it, things may go awry when traveling, so a company like AirHelp can help take some of the stress off your plate.

What is AirHelp Plus?

AirHelp Plus is a prepaid service that offers various benefits for air passengers, as well as access to all AirHelp services. 

There are two different AirHelp Plus membership tiers.

Essential

Cost: €19.99 per year/€1.66 per month.

Includes:

• Compensation claims of up to €600.
• Expenses claims of up to €6,000.
• Luggage claims of up to €1,400.
• Assistance with flight refunds.
• Live chat support.

Complete 

Cost: €49.99 per year/€4.16 per month.

Includes:

• All AirHelp Plus Essential benefits.
• Airport lounge access: a free voucher when a flight's delayed for over 1 hour or a flight is canceled less than 6 hours before.
• Range of lounge amenities included in the entry price.

How does AirHelp work?

When you've got your suitcase packed, travel mode activated (mentally), and your tickets are booked for an upcoming trip abroad, simply enter your flight details. AirHelp will notify you of any delays and associated compensation that you may claim.

All features are fine and dandy, especially for someone who travels a lot! And coming at an affordable price, AirHelp Plus could honestly be a stellar option for seasoned travelers and budget-saving backpackers.

What is the AirHelp Score?

The AirHelp Score is another bonus of using the platform. It's a global ranking system that rates the best airlines in the business according to reliability and customer service. You can compare which airlines have the best service, fly on time, and offer air passengers fair treatment if something unexpected goes down.

Here are some of the top-scoring airlines according to passenger experience:

• Qatar Airways 8.23/10
• American Airlines 8.07/10
• AeroMexico 8.07/10

How does AirHelp compare to Priority Pass and LoungeBuddy?

To put it straightforwardly, AirHelp is mainly focused on assisting with flight compensation claims. While AirHelp membership does include some lounge benefits, the services are centered around delays and other unexpected flight-related issues.

On the other hand, Priority Pass and LoungeBuddy are ideal options if you travel frequently and love to hang out in the airport lounges no matter your flight status. Offering exclusive access to lounges at a more affordable price, these sites offer higher-end experiences. But they're not necessarily essential for everyone.

Is AirHelp Worth It?

Yes, I think that AirHelp is worth it, especially if you're a frequent flier. Whether a budget-conscious traveler, savvy backpacker, or even regular globetrotter, it's important to know that you can get money back on airline and airport-related mishaps.

AirHelp also makes accessing information about air passenger rights easy, practically doing all the hard work for you. You can ditch the unwanted stress that comes along with researching and filing a claim, following up on it, and everything else in between.

If you do get stuck in an airport for a few hours or have to deal with a canceled flight, AirHelp can help you get compensation. Or, even hook you up with lounge access to make the delay more enjoyable.

Rating: 4.2/5

Pros:

• Assistance with flight claims.
• Makes researching passenger rights easy.
• Global reach.
• Alerts you of any claims due automatically.
• Complete membership includes lounge access.

Cons:

• Takes a considerable percentage of claims and legal payouts.
• Compensation payout can take several months or longer.

Travel Compensation and Beyond!

Claims, compensations, and all that jazz, AirHelp is a useful tool that puts travelers first, and that's seriously underrated. But being prepared goes way beyond getting the help you need in the case of a flight delay or mishap. If you're thinking about your next trip abroad, put your plans into action with Pilot, today!