Wizz Air Compensation: Delays & Cancellations — Up to €600
Wizz Air has one of the lowest voluntary payout rates in Europe — and often offers Wizz Credit instead of real money. You don't have to accept it. Here's how to get cash compensation under EU261/2004.
Do NOT accept Wizz Credit
Wizz Air frequently offers internal airline credit with an expiry date instead of cash. You are legally entitled to monetary payment under EU261 Art. 7. Reject Wizz Credit in writing and demand a bank transfer.
Does EU261 Apply to Wizz Air?
Yes. Wizz Air Hungary is registered in Hungary — an EU member state. EU261/2004 applies to all Wizz Air flights departing EU airports. Wizz Air UK is a separate British entity; its flights from UK airports fall under UK261 (equivalent rules and amounts, denominated in pounds).
Compensation Amounts
Flights under 1,500 km
e.g. Warsaw–London, Budapest–Berlin
1,500–3,500 km
e.g. Berlin–Tbilisi, Hamburg–Hurghada
Over 3,500 km
Few Wizz Air routes
Step-by-Step: How to Claim from Wizz Air
Check your delay
Use the Wizz Air app (stores departure/arrival times) or FlightAware. The decisive time is arrival at your final destination (doors open), not the landing time.
Submit your claim
wizzair.com → Contact → Compensation form. Or email help@wizzair.com. State: PNR (6-character booking code), flight number, date, actual delay. Explicitly request payment by bank transfer — not Wizz Credit.
Reject Wizz Credit if offered
If Wizz Air offers Wizz Credit: decline in writing. State you require monetary compensation under EU261/2004 Art. 7. Specify your bank details again.
Escalate after 8 weeks
Wizz Air often ignores claims for months. After 8 weeks without payment: file with your national ADR body (SÖP in Germany, CAA in UK) or use ClaimWinger. Wizz Air participates in these schemes.
Wizz Air-Specific Problems — Solved
Problem: Wizz Air claims the flight was on time
Check FlightAware independently. Wizz Air sometimes uses scheduled arrival rather than actual arrival. Decisive: doors open at destination. Provide FlightAware printout with your response.
Problem: Wizz Air doesn't respond for months
After 8 weeks: ADR filing. Wizz Air's slow processing is deliberate. ADR bodies give airlines a set deadline to respond — usually 30–60 days.
Problem: Wizz Air credits compensation to Wizz account without asking
If Wizz Air credited Wizz Credit to your account without consent: write to them demanding reversal and bank transfer. This is not a valid substitution for EU261 cash compensation.
Problem: Cancellation — Wizz Air only offers rebooking
For cancellations under 14 days' notice, you're entitled to compensation AND either a full refund OR re-routing. Wizz Air must offer both options. You're not obliged to rebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get compensation from Wizz Air?
Via wizzair.com → Contact → Compensation or email help@wizzair.com. State PNR, flight number and delay. Demand bank transfer, not Wizz Credit. Escalate via ADR after 8 weeks if no payment.
Do I have to accept Wizz Credit instead of cash?
No. EU261 Art. 7 entitles you to monetary payment. Decline Wizz Credit in writing and insist on bank transfer. Courts and ADR bodies consistently enforce this.
How much compensation can I get from Wizz Air?
€250 (under 1,500 km), €400 (1,500–3,500 km), €600 (over 3,500 km) — with 3+ hours arrival delay.
Does EU261 apply to Wizz Air flights?
Yes for Wizz Air Hungary flights from EU airports. Wizz Air UK flights from UK use UK261 (equivalent rules, amounts in pounds).
What if Wizz Air ignores my claim?
File with your national ADR after 8 weeks. Wizz Air participates. ADR is free and has good success rates against Wizz Air.
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