AirHelp Alternatives: Independent Options After ClaimCompass Shutdown

AirHelp alternatives are in demand for two reasons: ClaimCompass, once a respected EU261 claims processor, shut down in 2023 and left many passengers without their pending payouts, and AirHelp's 35% commission has pushed cost-conscious travelers to explore lower-fee options. Whether you are pursuing an EU261 claim worth €600 or a US DOT refund, the platform you choose directly affects how much money you actually receive.

ClaimCompass closure impact: Passengers who filed claims with ClaimCompass before it shut down in 2023 were advised to re-file with a new service. If your old case was never resolved, it is not too late. Statute of limitations for EU261 claims is 2 to 6 years depending on the country.

This guide compares the major AirHelp alternatives head to head: TravelStacks vs. AirHelp flat fees vs. percentages, plus Compensair, Flightright, Refund.me, and AirAdvisor. We also cover the DIY option for passengers who prefer to keep 100% of their compensation.

AirHelp is the largest flight compensation company globally, with offices across Europe and North America. They handle EU261, UK261, and some US DOT cases. The tradeoff is their fee structure: AirHelp charges 35% of the recovered amount on standard claims, which means on a €600 claim you keep only €390. They also offer an "AirHelp+" annual subscription that entitles members to free claims, priced at around $30 to $70 per year.

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  Fee: 35% of recovered compensation

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  Geographic coverage: EU261, UK261, some US DOT

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  Average processing time: 3 to 12 months

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  Strength: Scale and legal network in multiple countries

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  Weakness: Highest fee among major platforms

For a detailed side-by-side, see our best flight compensation platforms compared 2026 guide.

TravelStacks offers one of the most transparent pricing structures on the market. For US DOT refund and reimbursement claims, TravelStacks charges a $19 flat fee regardless of claim size. For EU261 and UK261 claims, the fee is 25% of the recovered amount, which is 10 percentage points lower than AirHelp. On a €600 claim, that difference means an extra €60 in your pocket.

TravelStacks pricing at a glance: $19 flat fee for US DOT claims. 25% for EU261 and UK261 claims. No win, no fee on all claim types. See how this compares in our TravelStacks vs. AirHelp breakdown.

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  US DOT claims: $19 flat fee (no percentage taken)

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  EU261 and UK261: 25% of recovered amount

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  No win, no fee model on all claim types

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  Transparent claim status tracking

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  Covers flights from any US, EU, or UK departure airport

Compensair is a well-regarded EU261 claims service with a 25% fee, matching TravelStacks on EU/UK claims. They operate primarily in EU markets and have a strong network of local legal partners. Their user interface is straightforward and they offer a real-time claim tracker. One limitation: Compensair does not handle US DOT claims, so American passengers with domestic flight issues will need a different service.

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  Fee: 25% of recovered compensation

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  Geographic coverage: EU261 and UK261 only

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  Processing time: 3 to 9 months

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  Strength: Competitive EU fee, solid legal network

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  Weakness: No US DOT claim support

Flightright is one of the oldest flight compensation services in Europe, founded in Germany in 2010. They charge 27% of the recovered amount, slightly above TravelStacks and Compensair. Their strength is deep expertise in German, Austrian, and Swiss airline regulations, and they have a high court-win rate in those markets. If your claim involves a German carrier like Lufthansa and you prefer a court-experienced firm, Flightright is worth considering. For most other situations, the higher fee is hard to justify.

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  Fee: 27% of recovered compensation

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  Geographic coverage: EU261 (strong in DACH region)

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  Processing time: 4 to 12 months

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  Strength: Strong Lufthansa/German carrier expertise

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  Weakness: Higher fee, limited non-European coverage

Refund.me operates in the EU261 space with a 25% fee. Their platform is simple and they have been active since 2013. AirAdvisor is a newer entrant that also charges 25% and has made investments in automated claim processing, which can mean faster resolutions on straightforward cases. Both are credible alternatives, though neither has matched AirHelp's scale or TravelStacks' US-claim flat-fee model.

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  Refund.me: 25% fee, EU261 focus, established 2013

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  AirAdvisor: 25% fee, EU/UK261, automated pipeline for faster simple claims

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  Neither service handles US DOT refund claims

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  Both operate on a no-win, no-fee basis

To understand exactly how long any of these services take, read our flight compensation timeline guide.

The DIY route is always available and lets you keep 100% of any compensation. For US passengers, the DOT Air Consumer complaint portal lets you file a complaint against any airline operating to or from the US. For EU261 claims, you can file directly with the airline and, if they refuse, escalate to the relevant National Enforcement Body (NEB) in the departure country at no cost. The full text of EU Regulation 261/2004 is available at eur-lex.europa.eu for reference. The tradeoff is time: DIY claims typically require multiple follow-ups, and airlines often delay responses to individuals more than to legal services.

When DIY makes most sense: Your claim is straightforward (clear cancellation with no extraordinary circumstances), the amount is small (under €250), or you have time and patience to follow up. For complex cases or high-value claims, a claims service often recovers more even after fees.

For a complete breakdown of self-filing vs. using a service, see our AirHelp vs. doing it yourself guide. To understand what your specific delay or cancellation is worth before filing, use our flight compensation calculator.

The right platform depends on four factors: fee structure, geographic coverage, the complexity of your claim, and how quickly you need resolution. Use this decision framework.

1. 1

   Identify your claim type first. US DOT refund (cancelled or delayed domestic flight), EU261 (flight departing an EU airport or arriving on an EU carrier), or UK261 (flight departing a UK airport).

2. 2

   Calculate the gross claim value. For EU261 it is €250, €400, or €600 depending on distance. Then multiply by the platform's fee percentage to see your net payout.

3. 3

   Check geographic coverage. Not all platforms handle US claims. TravelStacks and AirHelp do. Compensair, Flightright, and Refund.me focus on EU/UK.

4. 4

   Assess complexity. Did the airline cite extraordinary circumstances? Was there a long chain of connections? Complex claims benefit from experienced legal teams.

5. 5

   Compare speed. Read recent reviews for each platform. Processing times vary significantly even for identical claim types.

For the most current side-by-side comparison of every major platform, see our best flight compensation platforms compared 2026 guide, and use our compensation calculator to see exactly what your flight is worth before you file.