European UnionThe airline cancelled my flight and offered only a voucher. Can I demand cash?
Yes, you can demand a cash refund instead of a voucher when your flight is cancelled by the airline — vouchers are optional and cannot replace your legal right to cash.
What the Law Says
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, passengers have a clear, enforceable right to a cash refund when their flight is cancelled — unless they voluntarily accept a voucher.
When an airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price for the unused portion of your journey — and this refund must be made in cash, not just a voucher.
The regulation explicitly states that vouchers may only be offered with your 'express consent' — meaning the airline cannot impose them or make them the default option.
You must receive your cash refund within seven days of the cancellation. If the airline fails to do so, it breaches the regulation and may face enforcement action by national authorities.
Statutory TextWhere reference is made to this Regulation, Articles 5, 6 and 7 shall apply.
— Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Art. 8(1)(a) — Right to reimbursement or re-routing
Statutory TextThe reimbursement shall be made within seven days.
— Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Art. 8(2)
Statutory TextVouchers may only be offered with the express consent of the passenger.
— European Commission Guidance on EC 261/2004, Updated 2022
What Courts Have Said
EU courts and national tribunals have consistently upheld passengers’ right to cash refunds — rejecting attempts by airlines to substitute vouchers without consent.
Confirmed that Regulation 261/2004 creates directly enforceable rights for passengers, including the right to reimbursement in cash upon cancellation.
Held that airlines cannot unilaterally replace cash refunds with vouchers — passenger consent must be free, informed, and explicit.
What to Do
Contact the airline in writing (email preferred) stating: 'I request a full cash refund under Article 8 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004.'
If they refuse or delay beyond 7 days, file a complaint with your national enforcement body (e.g., UK CAA, Germany’s Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, France’s DGAC).
Keep proof of your booking, cancellation notice, and all correspondence.
If unresolved, consider small claims court — Regulation 261/2004 is directly applicable in national courts.
Sources
Same Question, Other Jurisdictions
Germany
Canada
Australia
Ireland
Singapore
India
South Korea
UK
US Federal
JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.