Claim companies compared: fees, VAT and what you keep

Fees compared

Per passenger, for a successful claim. Figures in brackets apply where legal action was needed.

How we calculated

• Source: each provider’s own pricing page or terms, opened on 10 November 2026. Where a page shows its own date, we give it; some price lists were last updated years ago, so ask the provider to confirm before you sign.
• VAT: where a fee is “plus VAT” and the provider gives no rate, we added 20% (the UK standard rate) for illustration. Flightright’s own worked examples use 19%, so we used 19% for Flightright. The VAT actually charged depends on the provider’s country and yours.
• Flightright quotes a range (“usually 20–30%”), so we show both ends. It does not say whether its 14% lawyer surcharge is a share of the compensation or of the fee, so we do not calculate it.
• Skycop publishes fixed euro fees for the three standard amounts and 44% for other amounts; we applied 44% to £520.
• Bott & Co publishes a sterling table (£225 on £520, excluding VAT) and describes its fee as a flat 42%; the € figure is our illustration.
• EUclaim states “You receive 69% of the compensation (€33 admin fee per passenger)”. We show both readings because the page does not say whether the €33 is included.
• EUclaim was declared bankrupt on 24 August 2026; Yource B.V., which also runs Flight-Delayed, took over its activities, and existing claimants are asked to sign a new power of attorney. EUclaim review.
• ClaimCompass is not in the table: AirHelp acquired it in December 2024 and new claims are now handled by AirHelp (details).
• Several passengers: the amounts are per passenger. Per-passenger admin fees (EUclaim) matter more for families.

Beyond the fee: what to compare

• Court action. Most companies charge more if a case goes to court (AirHelp and Flight-Delayed +15%, Skycop up to 50% in total, AirClaim +12.32% plus VAT, Flightright +14%). ClaimFlights says it has no legal-action upcharge; EUclaim says legal costs are included; Bott & Co has no percentage upcharge, but its FAQ says administrative fees rise if court action is needed.
• If the airline pays you directly. Once you have signed up, a company may still be entitled to its fee if the airline pays you directly. Bott & Co’s FAQ, for example, says its agreed fees remain payable in that case. Read the terms before you also claim yourself.
• Cancelling. Flight-Delayed’s price list, for example, charges the 35% fee if you cancel after 14 days once work has started.
• Who you are dealing with. Bott & Co is a firm of SRA-regulated solicitors in England; AirHelp, Flightright, Skycop, EUclaim/Flight-Delayed (both Yource B.V.), ClaimFlights and AirClaim are companies based in other European countries.
• Payout. Most pay by bank transfer after the airline pays them. Compensation under EU261 is set in euros, so a sterling account may receive a converted amount.

Doing it yourself costs nothing

You do not need a claim company to get compensation. Airlines must deal with claims from passengers directly, the ADR schemes and the CAA are free, and you keep 100%. The main costs are your time and, if it comes to court, the court fees – recoverable from the airline if you win. Our guide on how to claim yourself covers every step, with templates for the first claim, the ADR complaint and the letter before action.

How to choose

• Clear case, cooperative airline, some patience: claim yourself.
• Rejected with “extraordinary circumstances” you cannot check, or an airline based abroad: a claim company may be worth its fee, because it takes the risk of court action.
• You fly often: membership schemes (AirHelp TravelPass, formerly AirHelp+) can cut the fee – to zero with the top plan for covered trips – but only if you buy before you travel.
• Large family claim: watch per-passenger admin fees, and check whether a solicitor firm’s fixed approach suits you.

Frequently asked questions

Which claim company is the cheapest?

On the published standard fees, ClaimFlights (25% plus VAT, no legal-action surcharge) and Flightright at the lower end of its “20–30%” range leave you the most of a €600 or £520 claim; EUclaim may too, depending on how its €33 admin fee is applied. Skycop and Bott & Co take the largest share. Doing it yourself costs nothing but time.

Is AirHelp’s fee the lowest?

No. At 35% including VAT (50% if legal action is needed), AirHelp is in the middle of this table. We are an AirHelp affiliate, but we show the figures as published. Its AirHelp+ and TravelPass memberships reduce the fee for members.

Do claim companies get more money than I would?

No. The compensation is fixed by law (£220 / £350 / £520 or €250 / €400 / €600 per passenger). A claim company cannot get you more than the law gives; what it offers is doing the work and taking the risk of court action.

Can I switch to a claim company after the airline rejected me?

Usually yes – rejected claims are a large part of what these companies handle. Check its terms: some charge a fee if the airline pays you directly after you signed up, or if you cancel once work has started.

Are claims companies regulated?

It depends on the company. Bott & Co is a firm of solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Others are companies based in other EU countries. Check the legal entity, address and terms before you sign.

Sources

1. AirHelp – fees – AirHelp
2. Flightright – fees – Flightright
3. Skycop – fees – Skycop
4. Bott & Co (solicitors) – fees – Bott & Co (solicitors)
5. EUclaim – fees – EUclaim
6. Flight-Delayed – fees – Flight-Delayed
7. ClaimFlights – fees – ClaimFlights
8. AirClaim – fees – AirClaim
9. Civil court fees (EX50) – HM Courts & Tribunals Service
10. EUclaim terms and conditions – Yource B.V.
11. EUclaim continues under Yource (29 September 2026) – EUclaim
12. Bott & Co – flight delay compensation FAQ – Bott & Co
13. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) – UK Civil Aviation Authority

We check every rule against the sources above. Spotted an error? Tell us – see our editorial policy.