Some of you might have read my earlier posts about Olympic Airlines and our two canceled flights, which not only shortened our holidays, but also brought on extra work (unsuccessful calls, standing in lines to make flight and hotel reservations, filling out paperwork, reciting one’s claims to the airport desk, etc.).

On July 23, I mailed off two claim forms with attached proof (including receipts, booking confirmation). Instead of writing a detailed letter, this easy-to-fill out claimform helps you – and Olympic Airlines – to give all the necessary details to process your claim.

I did not really expect much in forms of monetary support, but yet mailed it off registered receipt, hoping to at least get a reponse.

Today, within seven days, I got a reply stating we three adults and one child are entitled to a reimbursement of € 250,00 per person and € 125,00 per child for the first canceled flight. This reimbursement policy did not apply to the second canceled flight as this was officially caused by a strike.

I got a personal letter with an apology from Olympic Airlines. Now all I have to do is signing the included Indemnity Form, in which I release Olympic Airlines from any responsibility or further claims whatsoever from my part or any person designated by me with regard to this claim

Quoted from Helping air passengers whose journeys are disrupted:

“Immediate assistance must be provided to passengers whatever the cause of the delay, whether the problem is within the airline’s control or not. In certain circumstances where the airline is responsible for the journey being disrupted – in particular when a passenger is denied boarding – the airline must also pay compensation to the passenger.”

It pays to know and claim your rights.

It is 8:10 Wednesday morning and in 50 minutes we will get picked up by our airport taxi to start our journey from Frankfurt via Athens to Chania/Crete.

Yesterday evening we were informed by our travel agent that our connecting flight, Athens – Chania, has been cancelled for unknown reasons and we have to spend the night in a hotel in Athens. This has already been arranged by Olympic Airlines.

Nevertheless, we had to write another e-mail to the vacation home owners to inform them we would arrive a day later. My travel agent offered to notify the rental car company of our day-late pick up.

We get to spend an evening in Athens, but have to catch a very early flight the next morning at 5:50. This would not have been my choice….

Will we get dinner reimbursed this evening? What about breakfast? We shall see.

If things go well, I will not have to check anymore on the airline’s liability for a cancelled flight.