This article will discuss Croatia Airlines vouchers.
What types of vouchers does Croatia Airlines offer? Is there an option to convert a Croatia Airlines voucher into cash?
Airline vouchers are a common form of “payment” for flight inconveniences, but it’s essential to differentiate them from compensation. This article will explore the usual circumstances that lead to the issuance of Croatia Airlines vouchers and explain your rights in these situations. Keep in mind that accepting a voucher is often a choice.
The voucher shouldn’t be confused with flight compensation.
1. Croatia Airlines Vouchers
Vouchers are essentially coupons with a set worth that can be used for payment.
Many airlines, including Croatia Airlines, provide vouchers to their customers. Croatia Airlines primarily offers two types of vouchers: Croatia Airlines gift cards and flight compensation vouchers.
- Croatia Airlines Gift Cards – standard travel gift cards that can be procured from the airline’s website. These can be utilized for payment while booking flights through Croatia Airlines. You have the option of buying such a gift card for yourself.
- Croatia Airlines compensation vouchers – Croatia Airlines vouchers with the same use as gift cards. The distinction is that Croatia Airlines issues these vouchers in case of flight-related issues (e.g., flight delays, cancellations, overbooking).
The process of receiving a gift card is quite straightforward – you may have it as a present, or you can buy it for your use.
However, when it comes to flight compensation vouchers or vouchers that you receive as a refund for an unused flight, prolonged flight delay or overbooking, they are not the same thing. To learn more about these, continue reading.
2. Croatia Airlines Voucher as Refund/Compensation
Why were you provided a voucher?
2.1 Your Flight Was Cancelled
If your flight is cancelled, you get to decide how to proceed.
When Croatia Airlines cancels your flight, they are obligated to offer you two choices: a cancellation refund or an alternative flight to the final point of your journey. The new flight can be with Croatia Airlines or another carrier and should be at zero cost to you. In certain cases, you may be entitled to compensation due to the flight cancellation.
Please remember that Croatia Airlines refund and compensation should be sent to your bank account. The airline might propose a voucher, but it’s not compulsory for you to take it.
2.2 You Cancelled a Flight
If you are the one who chooses to cancel your flight, the conditions are slightly different.
Croatia Airlines’ policy clarifies that refund eligibility largely depends on the fare conditions of your ticket.
If your ticket is refundable, then you are entitled to get your money back. However, if your ticket is non-refundable, chances are you may not get a full refund. Instead, Croatia Airlines might issue a voucher for future travel with them.
Nonetheless, it’s important to go through the specific terms and conditions associated with your ticket to confirm what you’re entitled to in case of cancellation.
2.3 Your Flight Was Delayed
There are two main possibilities.
Either Croatia Airlines was at fault, or the delay was caused by factors beyond their control.
If Croatia Airlines is the cause of your flight delay, you might be eligible for a flight delay compensation. It’s crucial to verify your eligibility and claim nothing less than what you’re entitled to. The procedure and compensation amount are determined by regulations set by the European Union. Compensation can vary between 250 and 600 euros, although in rare cases you may only receive 50% of this.
Nonetheless, Croatia Airlines might propose a voucher in the place of the compensation you’re legally entitled to. First, it’s important to understand that accepting the voucher is your choice. Secondly, if you do take the voucher, ensure that its value equals what the legislation stipulates.
If Croatia Airlines is not responsible for your flight delay, then a voucher cannot be redeemed for cash, assuming they’ve issued you one at all. Since they aren’t liable for the delay, they aren’t legally bound to provide any form of compensation.
2.4 You Were Denied Boarding
When the flight is overbooked, you and other passengers might be involuntarily denied boarding. As a passenger, you have the right to an alternate flight or a refund to your bank account. Additionally, you might be entitled to compensation for being denied boarding due to overbooking.
As with flight delays and cancellations, if the compensation is owed to you, you’re not obliged to accept a non-refundable voucher. You can ask for the money to be transferred to your bank account.
If you voluntarily give up your seat, you may be offered a voucher as well. It’s vital to thoroughly review the terms of the offer, including whether it’s refundable or non-refundable, its expiration date, and any restrictions on its use.
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
As always, remain vigilant about what is being offered to you.
Should you harbour any uncertainties or questions, it is recommended to engage in independent research to ascertain if you are being treated justly. Our website explores various scenarios in which you may be eligible for compensation or reimbursement. It’s crucial to remember that in many instances, Croatia Airlines is required to give a complete refund instead of a voucher, even though they may present the latter as the only choice.
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 Croatia 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 Croatia 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 Croatia Airlines, it can also be a Croatia Airlines voucher |
Read more:
- How to Claim Croatia Airlines Compensation?
- Your Croatia Airlines Compensation Claim Is Rejected. Now What?
- Your Croatia Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
- Your Croatia Airlines Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
3. How to Convert Croatia Airlines Voucher into Cash?
When discussing the conversion of vouchers into cash, there are two instances to bear in mind.
First, if you have a refundable voucher, you have the liberty to transform it into a cash equivalent. By getting in touch with the airline, you can learn about the procedure and prerequisites to convert the voucher into cash.
Secondly, there could be instances where a voucher is provided instead of compensation or a refund, irrespective of regulations that mandate monetary compensation should be offered. Here too, it is recommended to get in touch with the airline to address the situation. By initiating dialogue with them, you can voice your objections and demand the rightful compensation in cash instead of a voucher. It might be necessary to remind them about your rights and make sure you receive the appropriate refund following the guidelines of the law.
4. How to Apply for a Refund From Croatia Airlines?
To request a refund for your Croatia Airlines flight, you can apply through the “My Bookings” section by choosing “Flight Details”. For more information you can check out this guide on Croatia Airlines’ website. The refund amount will commonly be transferred using the same payment method that you utilized when booking your ticket.
Your ticket type and the reasons behind your request will determine whether you are eligible for a full refund, partial refund, or no refund at all.
4.1 Insist on a Croatia Airlines Refund (or Compensation), Not Voucher
You should have a choice in many situations.
According to law, you have the authority to reject Croatia Airlines gift cards or vouchers as compensation or refund. This is because EU regulations make it mandatory for both a refund and UK/EU flight compensation to be paid to your bank account, unless you, the passenger, agree to an alternate method. Therefore, Croatia Airlines must provide that instead of vouchers.
For a detailed breakdown of all possible situations, kindly refer to the table presented above.
What if you have already accepted a voucher?
If Croatia Airlines has granted you a voucher instead of a cash refund, but you believe that you were entitled to cash compensation, you can attempt to request a swap.
However, whether you’ll be able to obtain a full cash refund will hinge on the particulars of your case. If Croatia Airlines did not provide a satisfactory explanation or did not offer you the option to select between a voucher and monetary compensation/refund initially, your chances are going to be higher.
What is your experience with Croatia Airlines vouchers? Have you ever been given one? Was it a refundable Croatia Airlines voucher or you could use it only for Croatia Airlines flights?