Money Moral Dilemma: Should I share my flight delay compensation?

Former_MSE_Nick

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I paid for myself, my boyfriend and two friends to go on holiday, costing me over £3,000. We suffered a 4-hour flight delay for which I've received £1,300+ in compensation. They assumed I'd share it with them, should I?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.

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Experienced a flight delay? You could be owed up to £520 in compensation - see if you can claim for free using our Flight Delay guide.

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kallybear

whoever paid should get the refund - if you paid for everyones flights you get it if you each paid for your own it should be split 4 ways

Justice13075

Wrong the passengers claim the compensation individually as it was they who were delayed. The fact someone else paid for the flight does not matter as they still flew.

How did you receive £1300 unless you claimed for all passengers with their permission?

scotsbob

If all were delayed, then all suffered the inconvenience. You share it.

telsco

You should share the money.
Each person suffered the inconvenience not just you.
It's a lot of money to get back so if they were real friends and not just spongers, hopefully they'll each pay for you to go on holidays with them in the future.

TheFaqqer

Legally the money is paid for each passenger, so it should be split.

Morally, you paid for all the flights so it would be nice if they said "you keep it" as a thank you for your generosity.

peecee

Another "problem" giving very little detail?


If somebody paid for me to go on holiday, and the flight were delayed, I would expect any compensation to go to the person who had paid. Why would I expect a paid-for holiday PLUS a bonus?


However, if my friend had booked and paid for the holiday, and had been repaid by everybody in the group, of course everybody should share in the compensation for the delay.


So, MSE, what actually happened?

Hoodlet

As you paid for the flights it should be you that receives it. I'd say they can have it if they pay for their own flight. In my opinion they weren't really being inconvenienced for those four hours because they were getting a free holiday and they were with their friends so I expect you were all having drinks together and a general nice time? I'd happily have a 4 hour delay if someone was paying a redicilous amount for my flight. I say keep the money I'd be embarassed to even consider asking for it if I was in their position and had received the flight for free.
A passenger is being compensated because they paid for the flight and it is deemed unfair that they should have to pay on top for the time wasted during their delay. They haven't paid to start with!!!

TBagpuss

All of you were delayed, so you should share it.
If you actually paid for the holiday (i.e. it was a gift from you to them, as opposed to you paying for it in the sense that you used your card and they paid you back) then you still share it, but it might be a nice gesture on their part to offer it back to you. After all,if you paid for the holiday, you did it because you wanted to give these people something, you didn't do it in the expectation of payment.

JuliusCaesar

As others have said, the compensation is for each passengers. But as you paid for their tickets in the first place, they should give it to you.

tindella

Hell, no! You paid for the tickets - you get the compensation. Wished someone had paid for me to go on holiday! Bloody cheek to expect to share when they've contributed nothing.