This article is about Bulgaria Air vouchers and how to convert them into cash.
Airline vouchers are not the same as flight compensation. Airlines may distribute vouchers to passengers to make up for flight disruptions, and the article will further elaborate on these vouchers, the reasons behind them, and your rights as a passenger. It is important to note that vouchers cannot be used as a replacement for flight compensation, and you also have the option to decline them.
1. Bulgaria Air Vouchers
If your Bulgaria Air flight is delayed or cancelled, you might receive a Bulgaria Air voucher.
Bulgaria Air vouchers can be used as a payment method for purchasing airline tickets. However, accepting these vouchers is not mandatory for compensation or refunds.
It’s important to note certain limitations and drawbacks associated with airline vouchers. Availability and restrictions may apply, limiting their use for specific routes or destinations. Expiration dates pose another significant drawback. Failure to use the voucher before it expires may result in losing the entire amount, with only partial refunds offered in some cases. This can be frustrating, as the value of the voucher could be lost due to expiration.
Additionally, it is important to note that airline vouchers have the potential to be non-refundable. If Bulgaria Air issues you a voucher, it easily could be a non-refundable voucher, or a voucher with a smaller value than you are entitled to.
It’s always a good idea to check if a voucher is refundable. If it is, you have the option to request a monetary refund. This provides flexibility to purchase flights from other airlines, expanding your choices beyond the original issuing airline.
When considering vouchers as compensation, it’s essential to weigh their limitations and potential impact on your travel plans.
1.1 Why Airlines Provide Vouchers Instead of Monetary Compensation/Refund?
It is common for airlines to offer vouchers to passengers affected by flight disruptions instead of providing immediate monetary compensation, even if they are legally obligated to do so. This practice is justified by a few reasons:
- Cost management: Vouchers can be less expensive for carriers than providing monetary compensation upfront. By offering travel vouchers, airlines can control their immediate financial outlay and potentially spread the costs over a longer period.
- Customer retention: Vouchers can help retain customer loyalty. By providing a voucher, airlines hope to encourage passengers to continue using their services even after experiencing a flight delay, cancellation or overbooking.
- Operational efficiency: Vouchers can be easier and quicker to process administratively than cash compensation or compensation via bank transfer. It simplifies the resolution process for the airline, saving time and resources.
2. Bulgaria Air Voucher (Refund/Compensation)
Have you experienced a flight disruption with Bulgaria Air?
As a refund or compensation for the inconvenience caused, a Bulgaria Air voucher has been provided to you. What are the regulations in Europe regarding airline vouchers? What should you know?
2.1 Your Flight Was Cancelled
If you have received a Bulgaria Air voucher as compensation or refund, it indicates that your flight was cancelled. In such cases, the airline is obligated to offer you the choice between a full refund or an alternative flight to your final destination. The alternative flight can be provided by Bulgaria Air or another airline, with no additional cost to you.
In the event of a flight cancellation, you may also be eligible for compensation. Please refer to our guide on Bulgaria Air flight cancellation compensation for detailed information. It’s important to note that any refunds or flight compensation you are entitled to must be directly deposited into your bank account.
Remember, accepting vouchers from the airline is not mandatory. Refunds and compensation should be directly transferred to your bank account.
2.2 Your Flight Was Delayed
If your flight is delayed, there are two possible scenarios – either it is the airline’s fault or not.
In cases where the delay is the airline’s fault, you may get flight delay compensation. It is crucial to determine if you qualify for compensation and not settle for less than what you are entitled to.
The European Union has established regulations outlining flight compensation, with amounts typically ranging between 250 and 600 euros. While Bulgaria Air may offer a voucher as an alternative to cash compensation, accepting it is not obligatory. If you opt for a voucher, ensure that its value meets the legal requirements.
It is important to remember that if your flight delay is not due to Bulgaria Air’s fault, they are not obligated to provide compensation as they are not responsible for the delay. Additionally, Bulgaria Air vouchers are seldom issued for delays.
2.3 You Were Denied Boarding
If you experience denial of boarding due to overbooking, you have certain rights and options available to you. Firstly, you have the right to choose between an alternative flight or a refund directly to your bank account. Additionally, if you are involuntarily denied boarding, you may be eligible for compensation.
Similar to situations involving delays and cancellations, you’re not obligated to accept a non-refundable voucher if you meet the criteria for compensation. Instead, you may choose to have the compensation amount directly transferred to your bank account.
If you decide to voluntarily surrender your seat, the airline may offer you various incentives such as cash, miles, points, or vouchers. However, it’s crucial to carefully review the terms and conditions associated with any offer presented to you. This includes examining whether the offer is refundable or non-refundable, noting its validity period, and being aware of any limitations 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.
2.4 Other Situations
When presented with offers, it is important to assess them thoroughly.
If you are uncertain, conducting your own research can help ensure that you are treated fairly. Refer to our website for helpful information on qualifications for compensation or refunds. You can also learn more about your air passenger rights on eur-lex.europa.eu.
It’s worth noting that even if Bulgaria Air offers a voucher, you may still be entitled to full reimbursement or compensation.
Here’s a summary of what you can get in what situation:
| Situation | EU flight compensation | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| Flight delayed for 3+ hours | If it’s due to the fault of Bulgaria Air, you are entitled to flight delay compensation | No |
| Flight delayed less than 3 hours | No | No |
| Flight cancelled less than 2 weeks before the flight | If it’s due to the fault of Bulgaria Air, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation | You can choose between a refund and a new flight |
| Flight cancelled more than 2 weeks before the flight | No | You can choose between a refund and a new flight |
| You are involuntarily denied boarding due to overbooking | You can get denied boarding compensation | You can choose between a refund and a new flight |
| You have given up your seat (voluntary denied boarding) | No | As per agreement with Bulgaria Air |
If you are entitled to a monetary compensation or refund, you don’t have to accept any vouchers, especially non-refundable ones.
3. How to Request a Refund?
Is your Bulgaria Air flight cancelled, and you don’t want to fly anymore?
It’s possible to get a refund. You can request a refund from Bulgaria Air via email. For more information visit the website of Bulgaria Air.
3.1 Demand a Bulgaria Air Refund (or Compensation), Not Voucher
To ensure that you receive appropriate compensation, it’s important to request a refund or compensation from Bulgaria Air rather than accepting a voucher.
According to the law, you have the right to refuse Bulgaria Air vouchers and insist on a full refund, which should be transferred directly to your bank account. Please refer to the table above for a comprehensive understanding of all potential scenarios.
If you have already accepted a voucher but believe that you are entitled to monetary compensation, you can attempt to exchange it. However, the likelihood of receiving a complete cash refund depends on your specific circumstances. If you were not given a choice between a voucher and cash, or if you did not receive a satisfactory explanation, it’s advisable to pursue obtaining the monetary compensation you’re entitled to.
What is your experience with Bulgaria Air vouchers? Have you ever been given one? Was it a refundable Bulgaria Air voucher or you could use it only for Bulgaria Air flights?
Read more:
- Is Your Bulgaria Air Flight Compensation Claim Denied? What’s Next?
- Your Bulgaria Air Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
Featured photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich from Pexels