When Airlines Screw Up Your Flight, AirHelp (YC W14) Gets You Paid • Hacker News Board

Re: When Airlines Screw Up Your Flight, AirHelp (YC W14) Gets You Paid

#61

Post by nicomichaelsen » Sat, Mar 08, 2014, 2:37 AM UTC

mrmch wrote: post #23

Flying with US Airways this past week; 8 flights in 4 days, 5/8 flights were delayed, causing missed connections, etc. How I wish AirHelp was available in the US :(

We are actually available in the US, the problem is that the airlines are only obligated to compensate you if you're bumped when flying on domestic US flights.

Re: When Airlines Screw Up Your Flight, AirHelp (YC W14) Gets You Paid

#62

Post by nicomichaelsen » Sat, Mar 08, 2014, 2:38 AM UTC

cykho wrote: post #31

So basically this app is a simplified version of this? http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/flyrights.htm#ov... If you get bumped involuntarily due to overbooking you are due compensation. Else you're SOL.

We started this company in order to help bridge the gap between people and legislation. We asked ourselves, how it is possible that there is a defined set of rules and still it seems like the process of actually enforcing them is quite cumbersome. Today only very few passengers who are entitled to compensation actually claim it. The reason must be that they do not know it exists and/or they feel it is a huge mountain to climb. We want to make it easy and transparent for all parties involved in the claims process. Pursuing your legally given rights should never be a burden.

Re: When Airlines Screw Up Your Flight, AirHelp (YC W14) Gets You Paid

#63

Post by nicomichaelsen » Sat, Mar 08, 2014, 2:40 AM UTC

relet wrote: post #55

Feedback: The airport search fields should recognize airport codes. If I type in "bru", Brussels airport should be the first, not the third in the list. If I do not choose from the suggestion box, but tab into the next field, it should fill the field with the correct selection.

Thanks for the feedback, really good point. Actually some of our batch mates (algolia) from the current YC batch should actually be able to provide this.

Re: When Airlines Screw Up Your Flight, AirHelp (YC W14) Gets You Paid

#64

Post by nicomichaelsen » Sat, Mar 08, 2014, 2:42 AM UTC

shitlord wrote: post #17

Just curious: in the US, if you were denied boarding, is the airline obligated to compensate you in the form of cash? Or are they allowed to get away with giving you a voucher for the equivalent amount ("store credit")?

The core of the problem here, is that when you accept the voucher or miles, then you waive your right to any further compensation. This is due to the fact that you enter into a new agreement with the airline. So think twice before you accept that $50 voucher next time. You could be entitled up to $1300

Re: When Airlines Screw Up Your Flight, AirHelp (YC W14) Gets You Paid

#65

Post by ndessaigne » Sat, Mar 08, 2014, 2:45 AM UTC

nicomichaelsen wrote: post #63

relet wrote: post #55

Feedback: The airport search fields should recognize airport codes. If I type in "bru", Brussels airport should be the first, not the third in the list. If I do not choose from the suggestion box, but tab into the next field, it should fill the field with the correct selection.

Thanks for the feedback, really good point. Actually some of our batch mates (algolia) from the current YC batch should actually be able to provide this.

Sure, happy to help!

Re: When Airlines Screw Up Your Flight, AirHelp (YC W14) Gets You Paid

#66

Post by nicomichaelsen » Sat, Mar 08, 2014, 2:47 AM UTC

nchuhoai wrote: post #49

Just as a general PSA (without claiming to be complete): (Generally, none of these apply if the airline can claim extraordinary circumstances such as weather) - Flights Originating/Transiting/Ending in the EU: 1. You are entitled to cash compensation for sufficiently long delays (2-4 hours depending on flight duration) 2. You are entitled to cash compensation (for the inconvenience) and reroute (whenever you want) fo…

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to provide this comment. You are absolutely right, however currently only about 0.06% of entitled passengers are getting what they are entitled to. Most people will end up getting a rejection, we know because we where "those" people. That was the reason why we started AirHelp.