If your flight is cancelled or badly delayed, the airline must pay your refund and compensation in money: a voucher only counts if you accept it in writing. You can turn it down and ask for cash. If you have already accepted one, check its expiry and conditions: in some cases you can still claim compensation. Here is how vouchers and flight credits work and when they are worth accepting.
What the EU Regulation says
EU Regulation 261/2004 says that the ticket refund and the €250, €400 or €600 compensation are paid in cash, by bank transfer, by cheque or, with your signed agreement, in travel vouchers. This means:
- the airline cannot force a voucher on you;
- a voucher accepted with one click in an unclear email can be challenged;
- if you have not accepted anything, you can ask for a cash refund within 7 days.
Voucher or refund: which is better
| Cash refund | Voucher or credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom | Spend the money as you like | Only with that airline |
| Expiry | None | Usually expires |
| Value | What you paid | Sometimes a higher amount |
| Risk | None | Higher fares when you use it, the airline going out of business |
A voucher can be worth it if the airline offers extra value, you fly with it often and the expiry is long. Otherwise a cash refund is safer.
I have already accepted a voucher: can I change my mind?
- if you accepted the voucher instead of a ticket refund, you usually cannot ask for the ticket money any more;
- compensation for a delay or cancellation is a separate right: unless you clearly waived it, you can still claim it;
- if you were given the voucher without being told you could have a cash refund, you can challenge it.
How to refuse a voucher and ask for your money
- Do not click the voucher acceptance links in the airline's emails.
- Ask for a cash refund through manage booking or the airline's form, and keep the confirmation.
- Claim compensation separately if the flight was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice or arrived 3 hours or more late.
With DelayFlight24 you can check for free in 2 minutes whether you are owed compensation: you pay nothing upfront and our fee is 25% + VAT only if you get compensated. See our guide to refunds and compensation and our cancelled flight page.
Frequently asked questions about vouchers and flight credits
Can the airline make me accept a voucher?
No. Refunds and compensation are owed in money; a voucher only counts with your written agreement.
I accepted a voucher: can I still claim compensation?
In many cases yes, because it is a different right from the ticket refund, unless you clearly waived it.
What happens if the voucher expires unused?
It depends on its conditions. Some airlines refund the remaining value when it expires: check before accepting.
Is a voucher worth more than the ticket a good deal?
It can be if you fly with that airline often and the expiry is long. Otherwise money is safer.
How quickly should a cash refund arrive?
The Regulation sets 7 days from your request.
Work out your compensation now
Enter where you flew from and to: in 2 minutes you will know whether you are owed compensation and how much.
- Free check, no commitment
- No upfront costs: 25% + VAT only if we win
- We deal with the airline for you
Find out more
- Air passenger rights
- Delayed flight: when you can claim compensation
- Cancelled flight: refund and compensation
- Overbooking: what you are owed
- What our service costs
Article updated on 22/10/2026 by the DelayFlight24 editorial team.