Reimbursement of follow-up costs

🧾 Additional expense reimbursement · No cap · In addition to compensation

Flight problem? Get your actual costs fully reimbursed.

In addition to the fixed compensation under EU law, you can reclaim all documented costs incurred due to a delay, cancellation, or overbooking – including hotels, transportation, meals, and necessary replacement purchases. Passengers friend enforces both claims for you.

Free and risk-free · No effort required · Get started in 2 minutes

🧾All additional costs – no cap

➕ In addition to fixed compensation

⚖️ Passengers friend fights for both

🔒 No Win - No Fee

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Get consequential costs reimbursed →

OVERVIEW

Additional expense reimbursement – the key points at a glance

Many passengers don’t know: In addition to the fixed EU compensation (up to €600), you can also claim reimbursement for all actual costs caused by the airline. These claims are independent of each other.

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Uncapped – all proven expenses – consequential cost reimbursement has no upper limit. All costs directly caused by the flight disruption that can be proven with receipts are reimbursed.
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In addition to flat-rate EU compensation – consequential costs and flat-rate compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 do not mutually exclude each other. Both can be claimed simultaneously.
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Applies to all flight disruptions – consequential cost reimbursement applies to delays, cancellations, overbookings, and missed connecting flights.
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Receipts are mandatory – no claim without receipts and proof. Keep all expense receipts – hotels, taxis, meals, replacement purchases.
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Statute of limitations: 3 years – calculated from the end of the year in which the costs were incurred. Submit early.
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No reimbursement of indirect consequential damages – indirect losses such as lost income, missed appointments, or spoiled vacation days do not fall under the reimbursement obligation of the EU Regulation.

EASY WAY TO COMPENSATION

No stress. No effort. No risk.

Passengers friend submits your additional expense reimbursement together with your fixed compensation claim – one point of contact, one submission, everything from a single source.

No Win – No Fee

Commission only upon success – zero financial risk.

All from One Source

Flat-rate compensation and consequential costs are submitted together.

Only 25% Commission

Upon success – more affordable than all major competitors.

Check claim

Submit flight data and expense receipts online for free – in 2 minutes.

We take over

Passengers Friend demands flat-rate compensation and consequential costs from the airline.

Receive payout

All reimbursements straight to your account – without any further effort.

REIMBURSABLE COSTS

Which costs can be reimbursed?

All necessary and reasonable costs directly caused by the flight disruption can be claimed back. The key factors are the direct connection to the flight disruption and providing the relevant receipts.

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Accommodation Costs

Hotel costs incurred due to a forced overnight stay – e.g., because of a night flight or when no alternative flight was available on the same day.

e.g., airport hotel, Airbnb as a temporary solution

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Travel Expenses

Necessary transport costs caused by the flight disruption – e.g., rides between the airport and hotel or from an alternative airport.

e.g., taxi, train, public transport

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Meal Expenses

Meals and drinks during the waiting period, provided the airline did not supply care services – reasonable amount relative to the waiting time.

e.g., airport food, café, snacks

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Replacement Purchases

Necessary purchases caused by the delay – e.g., hygiene items for luggage loss during long waiting times or clothing for an overnight stay without luggage.

e.g., toiletries, emergency clothing

✓ The Most Important Part: Consequential Costs + Flat-Rate Compensation Simultaneously

Consequential cost reimbursement does NOT replace flat-rate compensation under EU Regulation – it comes on top. Passengers Friend submits both at the same time: the flat-rate compensation as well as all proven consequential costs in full.

CLAIM REQUIREMENTS

When am I entitled to reimbursement of additional expenses?

These requirements must be met:

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The flight disruption caused the costs – direct, verifiable connection between the delay/cancellation/overbooking and the expenses incurred.
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The airline is responsible for the disruption – no extraordinary circumstances (extreme weather, air traffic control strike, political crisis, etc.).
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The costs are necessary and proportionate – only actually required expenses. A 5-star hotel is not reimbursable if a standard hotel was reasonable.
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Receipts available – all expenses must be proven by receipts, booking confirmations, or cash register slips.
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EU law applicable – departure within the EU or flight with an EU airline.

Für welche Flugstörungen gilt die Folgekostenerstattung?

IMPORTANT LIMITATIONS

These costs are not reimbursed by the airline

Not all expenses are eligible for reimbursement. Airlines are rightfully entitled to refuse reimbursement for the following types of costs:

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcohol during the waiting period is not a necessary expense and is not reimbursed by any airline.

Disproportionate Accommodation

A luxury hotel when a reasonably priced hotel would have been acceptable. Only necessary and appropriate costs are reimbursed.

Rental Car Without Necessity

Rental car costs when a cheaper alternative (taxi, train) was available and reasonable. Excess costs will not be covered.

Costs Without Receipt

Expenses without a receipt or proof generally cannot be reimbursed – regardless of their amount.

Indirect Consequential Damages

Lost income, missed business appointments, or loss of leisure time are not reimbursable costs under the EU Regulation.

Arbitrary Meals Despite Vouchers

If the airline issues vouchers on-site and they can be reasonably used, out-of-pocket receipts are often rejected.

💡 Practical Tip

When in doubt: Always choose the cheapest reasonable option and keep all receipts. Passengers Friend checks free of charge which of your expenses are eligible for reimbursement – and submits them for you.

SECURE CLAIM

How to secure your claim: Receipts & documentation

No receipts, no claim. Passengers who document their expenses at the airport or afterwards have significantly better chances of receiving full reimbursement.

Save all receipts and cash register slips immediately

Keep every single receipt – hotel invoice, taxi slip, restaurant bill, cash register receipt. Take photos of them directly on-site in case they might get lost.

Collect all flight documents

Boarding passes (connecting flight and replacement flight if applicable), booking confirmation, as well as a written confirmation of the delay or cancellation by the airline.

Document the connection to the flight disruption

Briefly note the reason for each expense: why was this expense necessary due to the flight disruption? A short note or email is sufficient.

Submit everything to Passengers Friend

Upload all receipts in our online form. Passengers Friend handles the complete preparation and submission to the airline – including the flat-rate compensation.

📂 These documents should be kept ready

📋Booking confirmation with booking reference (PNR)
🎫All boarding passes (original flight + replacement flight)
✍Written confirmation of the delay / cancellation
🧾Receipts for hotel, transport, meals, replacement purchases
📸Photos of departure boards / flight status screens as additional proof

STEP BY STEP

How to proceed

Passengers friend handles the entire process – from the assessment to the payout.

Check claim online (free of charge)

Enter your flight details – in just 2 minutes. Passengers Friend instantly checks whether you are entitled to flat-rate compensation and expense reimbursement.

Upload receipts

Upload all relevant receipts and documents. Our form guides you step by step through the process.

Passengers Friend enforces your claim

We contact the airline, negotiate, and – if necessary – take legal action. Flat-rate compensation and consequential costs are submitted together.

Payout directly to your account

All reimbursed amounts are transferred directly to your specified bank account. Commission only upon success.

YOUR BENEFIT

Why Passengers friend – and not handle it yourself or use a lawyer?

Additional expense reimbursement claims are very often rejected by airlines. Passengers friend knows the legal basis and consistently enforces your rights.

Selbst einfordern	✈ Passengers friend	Gar nichts tun
× Airline lehnt oft pauschal ab	✓ Kennt alle Ablehnungstaktiken	✕ Geld bleibt bei der Airline
× Belege richtig aufbereiten ist aufwändig	✓ Übernimmt vollständige Aufbereitung	✕ Anspruch verfällt nach 3 Jahren
× Pauschalentschädigung oft vergessen	✓ Beides gleichzeitig – mehr Erstattung	✕ Kein Cent zurück

How to proceed

25% commission only if successful. One of the lowest commission rates among German providers. No success = no fee.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS

What our customers say

4.4

★★★★★

Based on 197 Google reviews

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Google Reviews

Sandra K. 3 weeks ago

★★★★★

"I never thought I could get my hotel and taxi costs back as well. Passengers Friend submitted the flat-rate compensation and all consequential costs at the same time. I had no idea."

Expense Reimbursement · + Compensation

Tobias M. 5 weeks ago

★★★★★

"The airline simply ignored my expense claim. Passengers Friend followed up and got everything. This service is truly worth it."

Expenses · Airline Rejection

Lena B. 2 months ago

★★★★★

"We had many receipts – hotel, food, taxi, a new suitcase due to luggage issues. Passengers Friend prepared and submitted everything. Uncomplicated."

Multiple Expense Items

Ralf H. 8 weeks ago

★★★★★

"I had already written off the airline. On a friend's tip, I contacted Passengers Friend – they were still able to enforce expenses and compensation after 2 years."

Old Cases · 2 Years Back

FAQ

Everything about additional expense reimbursement

The most common questions – answered clearly and directly.

Which costs are reimbursed by the airline in the event of a flight delay?

For flight delays and cancellations, airlines must reimburse documented, necessary additional expenses that were directly caused by the flight disruption. These include accommodation costs, transportation expenses, reasonable meal costs, and necessary replacement purchases. Reimbursement is uncapped – there is no legal limit on the total amount.

Can I claim additional expenses AND fixed compensation at the same time?

Yes – both claims are independent of each other and can be asserted at the same time. The fixed compensation under EU Regulation EC 261/2004 is a separate claim that is unrelated to additional expense reimbursement. Passengers friend submits both claims in a single step.

I don’t have all the receipts. Can I still claim additional expenses?

For additional expenses, receipts are generally required – without proof, airlines usually do not provide reimbursement. However, in some cases, digital confirmations (such as email bookings or bank statements) may also serve as evidence. Passengers friend will review what is possible based on the documents you have available. The fixed compensation under EU law is independent of this and does not require expense receipts.

How long do I have to submit additional expense claims?

In Germany, the limitation period is 3 years, starting from the end of the year in which the costs were incurred. This means, for example, that a case from 2023 can still be submitted until the end of 2026. The earlier you submit your claim, the better – receipts and supporting documents are still fresh and easier to access.

How much does the Passengers friend service cost?

The assessment is completely free. If successful, we charge a 25% commission (including VAT) on the reimbursed amount – one of the lowest commission rates among German providers. No success = no fee. You bear no financial risk.

What if the airline rejects the additional expense claim?

Airlines often reject additional expense reimbursement claims outright in their first response – this is a common tactic. Passengers friend systematically challenges these rejections and, if an unjustified refusal continues, initiates legal action. Lawsuits in the area of passenger rights are regularly successful. We bear the cost risk – not you.