In this article, we are going to talk about Air France vouchers.
Air France voucher status, its type and validity. How to exchange a Air France voucher to cash?
Since there are various types of vouchers, it’s common for people to get confused. Refundable vouchers can be exchanged for cash while non-refundable vouchers are only meant for flight bookings or extra options on the website of Air France. It’s also crucial to differentiate between an Air France travel voucher and a compensation.
Note that a voucher is not the same as compensation.
Air France Vouchers
Vouchers are coupons worth a certain amount of money.
Air France issues vouchers to passengers that can be used as a form of payment. Some vouchers can be exchanged for cash while others can only be used for purchases on the website of Air France. It is important to understand which type of voucher you have.
1. Air France Voucher Refund
What kind of voucher do you have?
And what was the reason for getting it?
1.1 Your Flight Was Cancelled
In this case you should always be given a choice.
If Air France cancels your flight, you have the right to choose between receiving a refund or booking an alternative flight, which can be with either Air France or another airline. There will be no additional charges for the offered flights. You may also be eligible for flight cancellation compensation depending on the circumstances.
Refund and compensation (when it’s due) must be paid to your bank account. If you are given a voucher, it must be a refundable voucher that can be exchanged for money.
1.2 Your Flight Was Delayed
There are two likely scenarios: either the delay was Air France’s fault or it wasn’t.
If the delay was Air France’s fault, you may be eligible for flight delay compensation. Make sure to determine your entitlement and don’t accept anything less than what you deserve.
The European Union law regulates the entire process and specifies compensation amounts, typically ranging from 250 to 600 euros. Alternatively, Air France may provide a discount voucher (called the “EMD voucher”) as compensation. If you receive a voucher, check its value and type. Only “refundable” vouchers can be exchanged for cash, so verify if your voucher allows for a refund.
If the delay wasn’t Air France’s fault, the voucher provided may also be “non-refundable.”
1.3 You Were Denied Boarding
In the event of an overbooked flight, you and other passengers may be denied boarding. However, you have the right to choose between receiving an alternate flight or a refund to your bank account. Furthermore, if you are involuntarily denied boarding due to overbooking, you are entitled to denied boarding compensation.
If you qualify for compensation, you are not obligated to accept a non-refundable voucher. You have the option to request that the compensation be directly transferred to your bank account instead.
If you choose to give up your seat voluntarily, you may receive perks such as Air France air miles and Air France flight vouchers to Air France vouchers giving discounts for your whole family. It’s important to read and understand the terms of what you’re being offered, including whether it can be refunded or not, how long it’s valid for, and any limitations on how it can be used.
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.
1.4 Other Situations
It is important to carefully consider any offers presented to you.
If you feel unsure, it is recommended that you undertake your own investigations to confirm that you are being treated justly. Our website offers insights on situations where you may qualify for compensation or a refund. It is important to note that in several instances you can demand a full Air France refund or compensation not voucher, even though you are offered the latter.
Here’s a summary of what you can get in each situation:
| Situation | EU flight compensation | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| Flight delay of 3 or more hours | If it’s due to the fault of Air France, you are entitled to flight delay compensation | No |
| Flight delay is less than 3 hours | No | No |
| Flight cancelled less than 2 weeks before the flight | If it’s due to the fault of Air France, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation | You can choose either a full refund or a new flight |
| Flight cancelled more than 2 weeks before the flight | No | You can choose either a full refund or a new flight |
| You are involuntarily denied boarding due to overbooking | You can get denied boarding compensation | You can choose either a full refund or a new flight |
| You give up your seat (i.e., voluntary denied boarding) | No | As per agreement with the airline |
Remember, if you are eligible for a refund or compensation, the airline is required to transfer the money to your bank account. Do not settle for vouchers.
2. How to Exchange Air France Vouchers for Money?
According to Air France voucher policy, only refundable vouchers can be exchanged.
Air France calls these vouchers EMD vouchers. To determine if your Air France voucher can be refunded, check your email for the voucher and look for the terms “refundable” or “non-refundable”. If the voucher is refundable, you can exchange it for money online.
To exchange your voucher for cash, go the website of Air France and log into your account. Or you can request your refund here.
Alternatively, contact Air France customer service.
Exception. In a scenario where you are entitled to compensation or refund but are given a non-refundable voucher, you have the right to ask for an exchange. You can choose to do it yourself or hand over the task to a flight compensation company who can handle it on your behalf. Our partners provide this service. All you have to do is to simply fill out one form with all the flight details, and they will take care of everything.
3. How to Request a Refund?
You can do it online. Click here to see your options.
The refund can be for your ticket price, any extras you added, or travel vouchers. You can also keep track of the status of your refund requests on the same page.
4. Demand an Air France Refund, Not Voucher
In many situations you should have a choice.
You are not obligated to accept Air France-KLM miles or vouchers as compensation or refund for cancellation. This is because the laws and regulations in Europe entitle you to a full refund or compensation to your bank account. While you have the option to agree to any of these alternatives, Air France must respect your choice and provide you with the requested refund or compensation.
What if you’ve made a mistake?
If you accidentally accepted a voucher when you were eligible for a cash refund or compensation, there may still be a chance to exchange it for money. The outcome will depend on the specifics of your case, but it’s worth attempting the exchange, especially if you were not initially given a choice and Air France provided something without proper explanation.
Read more: Your Air France Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
What is your experience with Air France vouchers? Have you ever been given one? Was it a refundable Air France voucher or you could use it only for Air France flights?
Featured photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich from Pexels