Admit it, traveling is not always smooth, and might even be disruptive to your itinerary. You pack your bags and head out to the airport only to find out your Wizz Air flight has either been delayed or worse, canceled. That can be quite frustrating. The upside is, if it does happen to you, there is a good chance that you are eligible for a Wizz Air refund, and possibly additional compensation, depending on your situation.
This guide will tell you everything you have to know about the Wizz Air flight refund and will help relieving the stress you would incur throughout the process.
Know Your Rights First
Travelers should first know their rights as such, before diving into websites and forms. Wizz Air is operating from a European base and therefore comes under EU Regulation 261/2004. The law exists for reasons concerning passenger rights. Among them are:
- Refund for a cancelled flight or when the flight is delayed by more than five hours.
- Compensation (up to €600) if your flight is delayed by three or more hours or cancelled without notice and to blame by the airline.
- Assistance, including food, beverages, accommodation at a hotel (if necessary), and rebooking in case of very long delays.
- Knowing this really places you in the best position to make your claims succeed.
When Can You Claim a Wizz Air Refund?
Below are the most ordinary cases for which a refund can be demanded from Wizz Air:
- The airline canceled the flight.
- Delayed by five hours or more, you chose not to board the flight.
- Due to a well-deserved check-in and arrival at the departure gate for boarding, you became a victim of denied boarding.
- You canceled the flight with reference to a fare allowing refund (less so with budget airlines such as Wizz Air).
- Always note that for very small delays or cancellations, Wizz Air would rarely offer a refund unless the airline would have been directly responsible for it; this includes things outside its control, like severe weather or political unrest.
Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your Wizz Air Refund
The actual bounce back on monetary terms can now be elaborated.
Step 1: All the Info
- Begin with some gathering of all details related to the booking. This encompasses:
- The booking confirmation number
- Date, number, and route of the flight;
- Wizz Air’s emails and messages informing you of the delay or cancellation;
- Receipts for any expenses incurred for alternative travel plans (i.e., food, hotel, taxi, etc.) that would be affected by the delay.
- With this set, your claim will be a breeze!
Step 2: The Wizz Air Webpage Must Be Accessed
Access wizzair.com and log in with the account you used to book your ticket. If you booked through a travel agent or another third-party website, you still need the booking reference number to get started.
Select “My Bookings” and click on the particular reservation. If there are options for claiming compensation or Wizz Credit for this flight that has already been confirmed by the airline, this will appear in your account.
Step 3: Choose How You Want Your Refund
Wizz Air gives you two options for receiving your refund:
- Wizz Credit: Added into your Wizz Air account, this is usually processed faster, and Wizz usually gives you 120% of your fare as an incentive for opting for this method of reimbursement.
- Cash refund: This is when the refund is processed back to the original means of payment. A cash refund may take longer—it can take several days to weeks to process—but it is advised when you may not fly with Wizz Air in a hurry.
Step 4: Claim Compensation (if eligible)
If your flight has been delayed by more than 3 hours, or cancelled within 14 days from the date of departure without giving any notice or an alternative proposal for the journey, you may be entitled under EU rules to claim as much as €600.
- To make a claim:
- It is all on the Wizz Air compensation and complaints page.
- The information that needs to be provided includes flight information, what happened, and copies of documents (e.g. delay notices or boarding passes).
- Complete the documents and wait for a response from Wizz Air – which, in most cases, may take up to 30 days.
Step 5: Keep an Eye on Your Email
Once a claim or demand for a refund is lodged, do not leave the inbox unattended. You may expect an email from Wizz Air with either fresh news or requests for further information.
It is fine to do a follow-up if nothing has been heard after a few weeks. Be courteous but keep pushing.
What If Wizz Air Denies Your Refund?
Should Wizz Air deny your refund or compensation request, and you feel that for some reason you qualify for a refund or compensation, there is no need to lose hope quite yet. You have several options, including:
- Contact the national body responsible for enforcement: Each European Union (EU) member state has a conflict regulator that is responsible for the oversight of these conflicts.
- Contact an ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) service: These types of services aid any passenger with a dispute against the airline as a lawyer would.
- Contact a flight compensation company: These are companies that invite you to give all the work to them (of course, for a fee or percent of the compensation).
Final Thoughts
No one wants to experience the inconvenience that comes with having a flight either delayed or cancelled. In the unfortunate case that it occurs, bear in mind that you still have options. Understanding how to claim a Wizz Air refund and what you are entitled to will ensure that the experience does not feel as burdensome. If you prefer using Wizz Credit for travel in the future or having a full refund processed to your card, both cases are quite simple. Just keep your documents in order, don’t waste time, and stand your ground for what you are due. As always, no matter how you look at it, your time and money have quantifiable value, and Wizz Air is aware of that, too.
