This article will focus on Smartwings vouchers.
What are their types? How can a Smartwings voucher be converted into cash?
Airline vouchers are often given as a form of compensation for flight disruptions, but they should not be considered as compensation. This article will provide information about when Smartwings vouchers are awarded and clarify your rights in these situations. It’s important to note that accepting a voucher is usually optional.
Voucher does not equate to flight compensation.
1. Smartwings Vouchers
Vouchers are coupons with a fixed value that can be used as a form of payment.
Smartwings, like other airlines, issues vouchers to its customers. There are primarily two kinds of Smartwings vouchers: Smartwings gift cards and flight compensation vouchers.
- Smartwings Gift Cards – ordinary travel gift cards that are available for purchase from the airline’s website. These can be used towards the cost of flights that you are booking from Smartwings. You have the option to buy such a gift card for yourself.
- Smartwings compensation vouchers – Smartwings vouchers that function the same way as gift cards. The contrast lies in the fact that these vouchers are dispersed by Smartwings when there is an issue with a flight (i.e., flight delay, cancellation, overbooking).
The process of obtaining a gift card is rather simple – someone presents it to you as a gift. Or perhaps you have acquired it yourself for personal use.
What about flight compensation vouchers or vouchers you receive as reimbursement for cancelled flights? Read on for more details.
2. Smartwings Voucher as Refund/Compensation
What led to your receiving Smartwings vouchers?
2.1 Your Flight Was Cancelled
In the event of a flight cancellation, you must be granted a choice.
If Smartwings cancels your flight, they are mandated to supply you with two alternatives: a cancellation refund or a substitute flight to your final destination. The replacement flight may be operated by Smartwings or another airline and should be offered at no additional cost. Under certain conditions, you may also be entitled to compensation due to the flight cancellation.
Bear in mind that Smartwings refund and compensation ought to be deposited to your bank account. The airline may propose a voucher, but it’s not mandatory for you to accept it.
2.2 You Cancelled a Flight
When a flight is cancelled by the passenger, the rules tend to vary.
The policy of Smartwings indicates that refund eligibility primarily depends on the fare conditions of your ticket.
If your ticket is refundable, you should receive a refund. However, for non-refundable tickets, a full refund may not be provided. In such cases, Smartwings might offer a voucher for future travel with them.
Remember, it’s critical to go through the specific terms and conditions pertaining to your ticket to verify your rights in case you choose to cancel.
2.3 Your Flight Was Delayed
There are two primary possibilities.
Either the delay was due to Smartwings’ fault, or it was beyond the airline’s control.
If Smartwings is accountable for your flight delay, you might be eligible for flight delay compensation. Always confirm your eligibility and insist on getting what rightfully belongs to you. The procedure and the amount of flight compensation are dictated by the European Union’s regulations. Compensation typically falls between 250 and 600 euros, but in some cases, you may receive only 50% of that.
Smartwings may offer a voucher instead of the compensation you’re entitled to. Keep in mind that accepting the voucher is optional. If you choose to accept it, make sure its value matches what the law mandates.
If Smartwings is not at fault for your flight delay, then vouchers, if given, cannot be cashed. Since the delay wasn’t their fault, they’re not legally obligated to offer any form of compensation.
2.4 You Were Denied Boarding
In cases where the flight is overbooked, passengers may be involuntarily denied boarding. As a passenger, you are entitled to an alternative flight or a refund in your bank account. Furthermore, due to denied boarding as a result of overbooking, you might be eligible for denied boarding compensation.
Just like with flight delays and cancellations, if compensation is due, you don’t have to settle for a non-refundable voucher. You have the right to request the funds to be transferred to your bank account.
If you voluntarily relinquish your seat (voluntary denied boarding), you might be offered a voucher as well. Make sure to thoroughly examine the conditions of the offer, which would include its refundability, validity period, and any usage restrictions.
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.
2.5 Other Situations
In every scenario, it’s important to keep an eye on what is being offered to you.
If you’re unsure, it’s recommended to fact-check for fair treatment. Our website provides info on various situations where you may be entitled to compensation or a refund. It’s important to remember that, in many cases, Smartwings must offer a full refund/compensation instead of just a voucher, even if they suggest otherwise.
Here’s a summary of what you can get in every situation:
| Situation | EU flight compensation | Refund |
| Flight delayed for 3+ hours | If it’s due to the fault of Smartwings, you are entitled to flight delay compensation | No |
| Flight delayed less than 3 hours | No | No |
| Flight cancellation less than 2 weeks before the flight | If it’s due to the fault of Smartwings, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation | Choice between a refund and new flight (You can choose either) |
| Flight cancellation more than 2 weeks before the flight | No | Choice between a refund and new flight |
| You have cancelled a flight | No | Depending on the ticket |
| Boarding denial (due to overbooking) | You can get denied boarding compensation | Choice between a refund and new flight |
| You have given up your seat (voluntary denied boarding) | No | As per agreement with Smartwings |
The sort of compensation you get will be determined by the exact circumstances and may include a refund, compensation, or both. It is crucial to remember that, depending on the circumstances, any payment you are entitled to must be either in cash or deposited straight to your bank account.
You don’t have accept Smartwings vouchers.
Read more:
- How to Claim Smartwings Compensation?
- Your Smartwings Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
- Your Smartwings Refund Is Taking Forever. Here’s What You Can Do
- Your Smartwings Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?
3. How to Exchange Smartwings Voucher for Cash?
When considering exchanging a voucher for cash, there are two scenarios that need to be understood.
If you are the holder of a refundable voucher, it can be transmuted into actual cash. This can be achieved by reaching out to the airline and asking about the procedure and eligibility for turning the voucher into cash.
In some cases, a voucher may be offered in place of compensation or refund, this is despite the regulations that dictate that you should be provided with financial compensation. When such situations arise, it’s important to contact the airline directly to address the problem. By doing so, you can express your concerns and request cash compensation instead of a voucher. It’s vital to assert your rights and ensure that you receive the appropriate compensation as mandated by the law.
4. How to Request a Refund From Smartwings?
If you need to request a refund for your Smartwings flight, you can do so via the “My Bookings” section. The refund amount is typically transferred via the same payment method used during your ticket booking.
Your eligibility for a refund, whether it’s full, partial, or none at all, will depend on your ticket type and the specific circumstances of your request.
4.1 Demand a Smartwings Refund (or Compensation), Not Voucher
There are many situations where you should have a choice.
As per the law, passengers have the right to refuse Smartwings vouchers as compensation or refund. EU regulations state that both refund and EU flight compensation should be transferred to your bank account, unless you, the passenger, consent to an alternative arrangement. Consequently, Smartwings should provide refunds instead of vouchers.
For a comprehensive overview of all potential situations, please refer to the table provided above.
What if you have already accepted a voucher?
If Smartwings has given you a voucher instead of a cash refund, but you believe you should have received cash compensation, you can try requesting a swap. However, whether you’ll successfully get a full cash refund depends on the specifics of your case. If Smartwings didn’t adequately justify their actions or didn’t offer you the choice between a voucher and financial compensation/refund initially, it’s still worth pursuing the money.
What is your experience with Smartwings vouchers? Have you ever been given one? Was it a refundable Smartwings voucher or you could use it only for Smartwings flights?