AirHelp review

AirHelp takes the top spot because its price list is the most complete of any service here. The standard fee is 35% of the compensation, including VAT, and the same rate applies to out-of-pocket costs such as hotels, meals and replacement flights. If the airline refuses to pay and the case goes to court, a 15% Legal Action Fee is added, which AirHelp says happens in about 3% of cases. Frequent flyers have two ways to cut the fee: AirHelp+ US plans at $179.99 or $249.99 a year waive the service fee, and TravelPass plans lower it to 15%, 10% or 0%. Goodwill claims, where the airline pays without a legal obligation, cost $29.99. The weak spot is price: on a typical claim you keep 65%, less than with AirAdvisor or ClaimFlights. EU claims are paid in euros, so check your bank's conversion charges.

Who it is for

travelers who want the most documented fee terms and optional membership plans

Price

No upfront cost; 35% of compensation incl. VAT if the claim succeeds, plus 15% if legal action is needed.

the Service Fee is 35% of the total Flight Compensation, including applicable VAT
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Standard service fee of 35% of the compensation, including VAT, charged only when AirHelp wins
• Legal Action Fee of 15% on top, which AirHelp says applies in about 3% of cases
• Recovers extra expenses such as hotels, meals and alternative flights at the same 35% fee
• AirHelp+ US plans at $179.99 and $249.99 a year with no fee on claims
• TravelPass plans that cut the service fee to 15% (Silver), 10% (Gold) or 0% (Platinum)

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Eligibility check is free of charge under the published price list
• Strength: Fee includes VAT, so the 35% is the full deduction for most claims
• Strength: AirHelp+ members keep 100% of the compensation and extra expenses recovered
• Weakness: 35% is higher than AirAdvisor's 30% and ClaimFlights' 25%
• Weakness: Total can reach 50% when legal action is needed
• Weakness: EU claims are paid out in euros, so your bank may charge a currency exchange fee

Key facts

• Service fee: 35% incl. VAT
• Legal action fee: 15% extra, in about 3% of cases
• Goodwill claim fee: $29.99
• Membership: AirHelp+ US plans from $179.99 a year
• Payout currency: EUR for EU regulation claims

Where it ranks

AirHelp is No. 2 in our Best Flight Compensation Services verdict.