Martin Lewis issues £376 warning to people who 'went on a flight this summer'

The "lucrative" warning from Money Saving Expert founder Mr Lewis was shared on Twitter, now X, as he promoted his latest BBC Sounds podcast.

Martin Lewis has issued a £376 warning to people who "went on a flight this summer". The "lucrative" warning from Money Saving Expert founder Mr Lewis was shared on Twitter, now X, as he promoted his latest BBC Sounds podcast.

"Have you missed, cancelled, or had a flight cancelled or delayed this summer (or any time in last few years?). If so this may be a lucrative listen - the flight stuff is nearer the end as part of 'mastermind'," Mr Lewis explained to followers.

“If the airline had cancelled on you, but it wasn't its fault, such as air traffic control issues, you would be entitled to a full refund or alternative flight, but no cancellation. But here, you chose to cancel. Equally, you could have missed your flight, which would have also been your fault as long as the flight was on time. In those circumstances, you are entitled to the air passenger duty right," Mr Lewis said on the podcast, as he discussed the rules.

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While chatting to Adrian Chiles, he added: “So, look, air passenger duty is not paid by the airline until you fly. Now, there are a few airlines who don't charge you air passenger duty because they get subsidised by the airports they're flying to, but we won't overcomplicate it. They are not legally obliged to give you a refund, but most do. It's in their terms and conditions.

"And most, you can go back as far as you like. So, if you missed a flight or cancelled a flight 10 years ago, you may still be able to claim. Some, Ryanair especially, and Qantas have much shorter time limits. Now, the amount of air passenger duty, it's bigger the longer you're flying and the higher economy premium business.”

He said: “So, you're flying business a long distance, air passenger duty is more than economy in the UK, where it's only about 7 quid. Business long distance, it can be up to 202 quid per person. Most airlines don't charge you an admin fee, a few charge you an admin fee for getting it back.

"So, here's the point. If you've cancelled a flight, especially if it's long haul, or especially if you weren't flying economy, either of those two would help, get in touch with the airline, this is if you chose to cancel and it wasn't refundable, or you missed a flight and asked them for the money back. I mean, that's easier said than done, getting in touch with the airline.”

He continued: “Someone who got £376 back the other day, if, however, they cancelled the flight, then you're talking what used to be EU Regulation 261 slash 2004 that's now been incorporated into UK law, and you have, if it was their fault, depending on certain criteria and the amount you get is how long you've been, when they cancelled, then you're not only entitled to a refund, you're also entitled compensation.

"Golden rule, folks, if you have a problem with your flight, go online and check your rights. There are a lot of different rights that people don't know about when your flight is cancelled. Some are written into law, some are standard industry practice, but even if you chose to cancel, you may be entitled to the air passenger duty back. And in some cases, it can be 100, 200 quid. It's worth having.”