Small Claims Court vs Compensation Service: Pros and Cons
When an airline refuses to pay, you have two main options: handle it yourself through small claims court or hire a compensation service. Each has distinct advantages. Here is an honest comparison.
Small Claims Court
Small claims court is available in most US states for claims up to $5,000 to $10,000 (varies by state). You do not need a lawyer. The filing fee is typically $30 to $75.
- ›
Pros: You keep 100% of the recovery. Filing fees are low. Airlines frequently settle before the court date to avoid sending a representative.
- ›
Cons: You must do all the work yourself: research, paperwork, possibly appearing in court. Timeline is weeks to months. No guarantee of success.
Airlines hate small claims court. Sending a representative to a small claims hearing costs the airline more than paying the claim. Many airlines settle the moment they receive the court summons. For negotiation strategies, see our airline negotiation guide.
Compensation Service
- ›
Pros: No work on your end. The service handles filing, follow-ups, escalation, and legal proceedings. No-win, no-fee for EU261 claims.
- ›
Cons: You give up 25% to 35% of the recovery. The service controls the timeline. Some services cherry-pick easy claims.
TravelStacks charges $19 flat for US DOT claims and 25% for EU261/UK261 claims (only if you win). For comparisons with other services, see our AirAdvisor comparison and Flightright comparison.
Which Should You Choose?
- ›
Small claims court if: you enjoy the process, your claim is straightforward, the amount justifies the effort, and you want to keep 100%.
- ›
Compensation service if: you want someone else to handle it, you do not want to deal with paperwork, or the airline is aggressively contesting.
- ›
DIY filing + DOT/NEB complaint if: your claim is simple and you want to try the free route first.
For the DIY route, see our step-by-step claims guide and DOT complaint guide. Check your flight for eligibility.