How I'm Using AirHelp to Get a Delay Compensation From Norwegian
My fight with Norwegian Air is not done. I've been trying for months to get the compensation I was entitled to for a delay of nearly five hours on a flight from New York to London last year — and now that the airline has denied my claim for refund, I have enlisted AirHelp to get me the money. The case is clear-cut: European Union rules say that if you are delayed more than four hours when flying into the EU on a European carrier, you are entitled to up to 600 euros (~$682) in compensation, among other rights.
The flight in question happened last August, when I flew Norwegian's inaugural A380 flight from New York (JFK) to London (LGW). Not that Norwegian actually flies Airbus A380s: this was an airplane leased by the airline to cover for its Boeing 787s, which had been grounded by engine trouble.
To minimize disruptions to its schedule while its Dreamliners were not flying, Norwegian wet-leased planes from various charter companies. Among them was Hi Fly's Airbus A380, which used to belong to Singapore Airlines. Since the plane still sports its original interior, including first-class suites, the equipment swap should have been a huge treat for passengers.
In reality, however, it wasn't quite that. Since JFK's Terminal 1 wasn't able to accommodate another superjumbo during the flight's scheduled time and the airline initially neglected to proactively adjust the departure, on the first four days of the special service every one of Norwegian's A380 flights was delayed by at least three hours. Mine departed a whopping 4 hours and 47 minutes late.
So I made a claim for compensation under EU261. The return flight from London to JFK was delayed too, and Norwegian rejected my claim for that one — and never responded to the claim for the JFK to London segment. Since I still felt that I had a valid case, rather than give up I decided to use AirHelp — a company that assists travelers trying to recoup compensation from airlines. Submitting my claims through the company was much easier than when I initially filed them on my own. There's no upfront fee, but a service fee (25%) and potential legal action fee (additional 25%) if my case is approved.
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines don't need to pay compensation when the delays are caused by extraordinary circumstances, such as bad weather and air traffic control strikes. In this case, though, the A380 flights were delayed due to a gate shortage at JFK, which the airline knew about in advance.
Since that would mean that the delay was within the airline's control, I submitted a claim for compensation as soon as I returned home — for both my outbound and inbound flights.
Six months later, I finally have a verdict for one of my claims. Norwegian will not provide compensation for my flight from JFK to London Gatwick (LGW) that was delayed by nearly five hours, because the delay was due to bad weather. According to what AirHelp told me about it, "On that day 60% of all flights at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York were disrupted (...) The airlines had to cancel or delay the flights for passengers' safety due to thunderstorms with rain and winds, gusting to 48 km/h, at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport."
I've confirmed with Weather Underground, a website that provides weather history, that there was no rain on August 3, the day my flight was scheduled to depart. Still, I decided to take my losses and not fight it.
What's more interesting is the status of my second claim, for my return flight from LGW to JFK. Norwegian once again rejected that claim when AirHelp filed it. However, AirHelp's legal team determined that the airline didn't have proper grounds and is now taking legal action against the airline.
If I win, I will get ~$682 in compensation minus ~$341 in legal and service fees. Although steep, I don't mind the fees too much considering that AirHelp does all of the legwork and I won't lose any money if I lose my case.
AirHelp says that the average processing time for a case like mine is about 107 days, so stay tuned!
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.