This article will discuss Austrian vouchers.
What are Austrian voucher types? How can a voucher be converted into cash?
Airline vouchers are a common form of compensation for flight disruptions, yet they should not be mistaken for compensation. This article will discuss the common instances where Austrian vouchers are provided and state your rights in such circumstances. It is essential to understand that opting for a voucher is often a matter of choice.
A voucher is not equivalent to flight compensation.
1. Austrian Vouchers
Vouchers are essentially coupons with a fixed value that can serve as payment.
Airlines regularly provide vouchers to their clients, and Austrian Airlines is no exception in offering vouchers to its passengers. Austrian offers two primary types of vouchers: Austrian gift cards and flight compensation vouchers.
- Austrian Gift Cards – typical travel gift cards that are available for purchase on the airline’s website. These can be utilised to pay for flights that you are booking through Austrian Airlines. You have the option to purchase such a gift card for your own use.
- Austrian compensation vouchers – Austrian vouchers that can be utilised in the same manner as gift cards. The difference is that such vouchers are provided by Austrian Airlines in the event of flight issues (i.e., flight delay, cancellation, overbooking).
The process of receiving a gift card is quite clear-cut – it is either given to you as a gift, or you have bought it for personal use.
However, what about flight compensation vouchers or vouchers that you receive as a refund for a flight that went unused? If you wish to gain deeper insight, continue reading.
2. Austrian Voucher as Refund/Compensation
What is the reason why you are receiving a voucher?
2.1 Your Flight Was Cancelled
In the event of your flight being cancelled, a choice must be offered.
Should Austrian Airlines cancel your flight, they are obligated to present you with two alternatives: a refund for the cancellation or an alternative flight to your end destination. This alternate flight could be with Austrian or another airline, provided at no additional cost. In certain cases, you may also qualify for flight cancellation compensation.
Remember that Austrian’s refund and compensation should be deposited directly into your bank account. They might propose a voucher, but it’s your choice whether to accept Austrian vouchers.
2.2 You Cancelled a Flight
The rules differ slightly if you, the passenger, choose to cancel your flight.
According to Austrian’s policy, your eligibility for a refund is largely based on the fare conditions of your ticket.
In the event that you’ve bought a refundable ticket, you are entitled to a refund. If your ticket is non-refundable, you may not be entitled to a full refund. Instead, Austrian might offer a voucher that can be used for future travel with the airline.
However, it is crucial to go over the specific terms and conditions tied to your ticket to verify your rights in case of a cancellation.
2.3 Your Flight Was Delayed
There are primarily two scenarios that might occur. Either the delay was caused by Austrian, or the delay wasn’t the airline’s fault.
If Austrian is at fault for your flight delay, flight delay compensation might be due to you. It’s crucial to verify your claim and insist on your rightful compensation. The procedure and compensation amount are determined by the European Union’s established regulations. Compensation usually amounts from 250 to 600 euros, but in exceptional cases, it might be only 50% of that.
Nonetheless, Austrian may propose a voucher instead of the compensation that you’re eligible for. It’s vital to remember that you have the choice to accept or reject a voucher. Moreover, if you choose to accept a voucher, ensure its value is equivalent to what is legally owned to you.
If Austrian is not accountable for your flight delay, then a voucher, if they have indeed provided one, cannot be converted to cash. Since they aren’t to blame for the delay, they have no legal obligation to offer any kind of compensation.
2.4 You Were Denied Boarding
In instances where the flight is overbooked, you and other travellers may be denied boarding against your will. As a passenger, you’re entitled to either an alternative flight or a refund transferred to your bank account. Additionally, you may qualify for compensation for being denied boarding due to overbooking.
Similar to flight delays and cancellations, if compensation is owed to you, you aren’t obliged to accept non-refundable Austrian vouchers. You can demand the money to be transferred to your bank account.
If you voluntarily surrender your seat (voluntary denied boarding), you could be offered a voucher as well. It’s crucial to thoroughly examine the voucher’s terms, including whether it is refundable or non-refundable, its expiry period, and any limits on its usage.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
2.5 Other Situations
Always be vigilant about the offers that are presented to you.
If you have doubts or uncertainties, we recommend conducting your own research to determine if you are being treated fairly. Our website provides detailed information on various situations where you may be eligible for compensation or a refund. It’s important to note that in many cases, Austrian is required to provide a full refund or monetary compensation instead of a voucher, even if they suggest the voucher as the only option.
Here’s a summary of what you can get in every situation:
| Situation | EU flight compensation | Refund |
| Flight delayed for 3+ hours | If it’s due to the fault of the Austrian Airlines, you are entitled to flight delay compensation | No |
| Flight delayed less than 3 hours | No | No |
| Flight cancellation less than 2 weeks before the flight | If it’s due to the fault of Austrian Airlines, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation | Choice between a refund and new flight (You can choose either) |
| Flight cancellation more than 2 weeks before the flight | No | Choice between a refund and new flight |
| You have cancelled a flight | No | Depending on the ticket |
| Boarding denial (due to overbooking) | You can get denied boarding compensation | Choice between a refund and new flight |
| You have given up your seat (voluntary denied boarding) | No | As per agreement with Austrian Airlines |
Depending on the details of the case, you could be eligible for a refund, compensation, or both. It’s important to remember that any money you’re owed must be given to you in cash or sent to your bank account.
You don’t have to accept Austrian vouchers if you don’t want to.
Read more:
- How to Claim Austrian Compensation?
- Your Austrian Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
- Your Austrian Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
- Your Austrian Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
3. How to Convert Austrian Voucher into Cash?
When considering the exchange of a voucher for cash, there are two situations to take note of.
Firstly, if you are in possession of a refundable voucher, you have the right to turn it into cash. By contacting the airline, you can find out about the procedure and conditions for exchanging the voucher for money.
Secondly, there might be instances where you are provided a voucher in place of compensation or a refund, despite stipulations indicating that you should be given financial compensation. In this case, too, you ought to get in touch with the airline to resolve the issue. By initiating communication with them, you can voice your worries and demand the rightful compensation in cash as opposed to a voucher. It is crucial to stand your ground and guarantee that you receive the appropriate reimbursement as per the law.
4. How to Apply for a Refund From Austrian?
To secure a refund for your Austrian flight, make a request in the “My Bookings” section on Austrian Airlines website. The refund sum is generally transferred using the same method of payment that you employed during the ticket purchase.
Depending on the type of ticket you have and the particulars surrounding your request, you may be qualified for a full refund, a partial refund, or no refund at all.
4.1 Insist on an Austrian Refund (or Compensation), Not Voucher
There are many scenarios where you should have an option.
Legally, you are entitled to reject Austrian vouchers as a means of compensation or refund. This is because EU laws mandate that both a refund and EU flight compensation should be credited to your bank account, unless you, as a passenger, consent to an alternative method. So the Austrian must provide that instead of vouchers.
For a complete overview of all potential situations, please refer to the table provided above.
What if you have already accepted a voucher?
If Austrian has presented you with a voucher in lieu of a cash refund, but you believe that you were entitled to cash compensation, you can attempt to request an exchange. However, the achievement of acquiring a full cash refund will be contingent on the particulars of your case. If Austrian did not provide a satisfactory justification or did not give you the choice between a voucher and compensation/refund initially, it is still worth a shot to acquire the money.
What is your experience with Austrian vouchers? Have you ever been given one? Was it a refundable Austrian voucher or you could use it only for Austrian flights?