Do You Have to Accept a Voucher Instead of Cash Compensation?
Airlines routinely offer travel vouchers when your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed. You are under no legal obligation to accept one. EU261 and UK261 guarantee you the right to real cash — and no airline can take that right away.
Quick answer
No. Under EU261 Article 7(3) and UK261, compensation must be paid in cash, bank transfer or cheque. A voucher is only valid if you voluntarily agree to it in writing. If you were handed a voucher without a clear choice, you can still demand your cash entitlement.
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What the Law Actually Says
EU Regulation 261/2004 Article 7(3) states that compensation must be paid in cash — by physical or electronic means — "unless the passenger agrees in writing" to a travel voucher or other services of equivalent value. The word "agrees" is key: it implies a free and informed choice, not pressure or default.
The European Commission clarified during the COVID-19 pandemic — when airlines tried to push vouchers on millions of passengers — that cash refunds and cash compensation remain mandatory rights. Vouchers are supplemental options, not replacements.
Common Airline Voucher Tactics
- Default voucher emails — the airline sends a voucher without offering a cash option, hoping passengers will not notice the difference
- App-only claims — some apps steer users toward vouchers as the "quick" option while burying the bank transfer route
- "Higher value" vouchers — offering €300 in vouchers for a €250 cash right, framed as a better deal
- Time-limited offers — "Accept within 48 hours" creates urgency and discourages passengers from considering cash
None of these tactics change your legal position. You are entitled to cash and can refuse vouchers at any point before signing a written waiver.
What to Do If the Airline Offers Only a Voucher
- Do not use the voucher — using it may be interpreted as acceptance
- Write to the airline explicitly stating you reject the voucher and require cash payment under EU261 Article 7, specifying the amount (€250 / €400 / €600)
- Quote the law in your email: "EU Regulation 261/2004 Article 7(3) requires monetary compensation unless I voluntarily agree otherwise in writing. I have not done so."
- Set a payment deadline — request payment within 14 days
- Escalate if ignored: national enforcement body or ClaimWinger
Already Accepted a Voucher? Your Options
If you have already received and used a voucher, recovering cash compensation is more difficult but not always impossible. Review what you signed:
- Did you sign a written waiver explicitly giving up your EU261 cash right? If so, reversing this is very difficult.
- Were you simply sent a voucher by email without any signed agreement? You likely never waived your cash right — challenge the airline in writing.
- Were you pressured or misinformed? Document this and raise it with the enforcement body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an airline legally force me to accept a voucher?
No. Under EU261 Article 7(3), compensation must be paid in cash, by electronic bank transfer, bank order or cheque. Vouchers are only valid if the passenger voluntarily agrees in writing. Accepting a voucher under pressure, without being clearly informed of your cash right, may not constitute valid consent.
I already accepted a voucher — can I still claim cash?
Possibly. If you signed an explicit written agreement, it may be harder to reverse. But if you were simply handed a voucher without being informed of your right to cash, or were pressured into it, you can challenge the arrangement. Contact the airline in writing stating you did not knowingly waive your cash right, or use a claims company to assess your position.
Does the voucher rule apply to refunds as well as compensation?
Yes. Both your right to a ticket refund (Article 8) and your right to EU261 compensation (Article 7) must be satisfied in cash unless you voluntarily and explicitly opt for a voucher. Many airlines tried to push vouchers during COVID-19 disruptions — the European Commission confirmed this was not compliant with EU261.
What if the voucher is worth more than the cash compensation?
The regulation allows vouchers of at least equivalent monetary value, but only with your explicit consent. The airline cannot substitute a higher-value voucher for cash without your agreement — but you are free to accept one if you prefer it.
What should I do if the airline only offers a voucher?
Write to the airline explicitly rejecting the voucher and requesting cash payment under EU261 Article 7. State the amount you are owed (€250, €400 or €600). If the airline refuses, escalate to your national enforcement body (CAA in the UK, DGAC in France) or file with ClaimWinger.
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