LOT Voucher vs Cash Compensation: Do I Have to Accept It?

LOT Polish Airlines Voucher Instead of Cash: Do You Have to Accept It?

8 min read•Updated March 5, 2025

When a flight is delayed or cancelled, LOT Polish Airlines often sends an email offering a "travel voucher" or "discount code" for future flights. Before you click "Accept," stop. You almost certainly have the legal right to demand cash instead—and accepting the voucher might mean waiving your rights forever.

The Bottom Line

You have the right to refuse: LOT cannot force you to take a voucher.

Cash is safer: Vouchers expire and restrict you to one airline.

Compensation must be liquid: EU law says payment must be cash/transfer unless you agree otherwise.

Warning: Once you accept and sign for a voucher, you usually can't change your mind.

What Does the Law Say?

EU Regulation 261/2004, Article 7.3 is very clear on this matter:

"The compensation referred to in paragraph 1 shall be paid in cash, by electronic bank transfer, bank orders or bank cheques or, with the signed agreement of the passenger, in travel vouchers and/or other services."

This means:

1. The default method of payment is money.
2. Vouchers are only allowed if YOU explicitly agree to them.
3. Silence or lack of objection does not equal agreement.

Why LOT Wants You to Take the Voucher

Airlines love vouchers for simple business reasons:

1. Cash Retention

The money stays in LOT's bank account. They don't lose any liquid cash, which is crucial for their financial reports.

2. Forced Loyalty

You are forced to fly LOT again. You can't use the voucher on Lufthansa, Ryanair, or any competitor.

3. Breakage (Unused Vouchers)

Industry statistics show that 20-30% of vouchers expire without being used. That's free money for the airline.

4. Restrictions

Vouchers often have blackout dates, can't be combined with promos, or don't cover taxes/fees. Cash has no such limits.

Voucher vs Cash: A Comparison

Feature	Cash Compensation	Travel Voucher
Flexibility	Spend on anything (rent, food, other airlines)	Only for LOT flights
Expiration	Never expires	Usually 12 months
Transferable	Yes, it's money	Usually No (Name-locked)
Value	Fixed (€250/€400/€600)	Fixed (sometimes higher as incentive)

When Does It Make Sense to Accept a Voucher?

There is only ONE scenario where you should consider accepting a voucher:

The "Sweetener" Offer

If LOT offers a voucher that is worth significantly more than your cash entitlement (e.g., an €800 voucher for a €600 claim) AND you are 100% sure you will fly LOT again within the year.

If the voucher amount is the same as the cash amount (e.g., €600 voucher for €600 claim), NEVER accept it. You gain nothing and lose all flexibility.

How to Reject the Voucher and Demand Cash

If LOT emails you a voucher code or links you to a page to "claim your voucher," don't click accept. Instead, reply or file a new claim using this language:

"Dear LOT Polish Airlines,

Reference: [Flight Number / Booking Reference]

I acknowledge your offer of a travel voucher for the disruption of my flight. I explicitly refuse this voucher.

Under Article 7.3 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, compensation must be paid in cash or by bank transfer unless the passenger signs an agreement to accept a voucher. I do not agree to a voucher.

Please transfer the statutory compensation of €[250/400/600] to the following bank account:
IBAN: [Your IBAN]
SWIFT/BIC: [Your SWIFT]

I expect payment within 14 days."

What If I Already Accepted the Voucher?

If you clicked "Accept" on a website or signed a document at the airport, it is usually binding. However, you might still have a chance if:

• LOT didn't inform you of your right to choose cash (misleading practice).
• You accepted the voucher for care (food/hotel) but not for compensation.
• The voucher text didn't explicitly say it replaces your EU261 claim.

In these cases, contact a professional claim agency to review your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I refuse a LOT voucher and demand cash?

Yes! Under EU Regulation 261/2004, compensation must be paid in cash, bank transfer, or cheque. Vouchers can only be used with your signed agreement. You have the absolute legal right to refuse a voucher and insist on money.

Why does LOT offer vouchers instead of cash?

Vouchers keep the money within the airline. If you accept a voucher, you must fly LOT again, and if you don't use it before it expires, they keep the money. Cash payments are a direct loss for them.

I already accepted a voucher. Can I change my mind?

It's difficult. If you signed a waiver or clicked 'Accept' on a digital offer that clearly stated you're waiving your right to cash, it's binding. However, if LOT misled you or didn't inform you of your right to cash, you might be able to challenge it.

Are LOT vouchers refundable?

Generally, no. Most vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you don't use them by the expiration date (usually 12 months), you lose the value.

When is a voucher better than cash compensation?

Only if LOT offers a voucher value significantly higher than the cash entitlement (e.g., €800 voucher vs €600 cash) AND you plan to fly LOT soon anyway. Otherwise, cash is always safer and more flexible.

Does the voucher cover the full ticket refund?

For cancelled flights, LOT must offer a full ticket refund in cash within 7 days. They often push vouchers instead. Just like with compensation, you can refuse the refund voucher and demand money back to your bank account.

Can I sell or give my LOT voucher to someone else?

Usually no. Most compensation vouchers are issued to the specific passenger's name and are non-transferable. Check the fine print, but don't count on being able to sell it.

How do I request cash instead of a voucher?

Reply to the voucher offer email stating: 'I do not accept the voucher. In accordance with Article 7.3 of Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, I request compensation to be paid via bank transfer.' Include your IBAN.