TravelStacks Flat Fee vs AirHelp Percentage: Which Costs Less for US Passengers?

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  TravelStacks (US DOT claims): $19 flat fee regardless of refund size - no percentage model

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  TravelStacks (EU261/UK261): 25% success fee on compensation recovered

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  AirHelp (EU261/UK261): 25-35% success fee, higher end applies when legal action is required

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  AirHelp (US DOT claims): Not offered

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  Fee advantage on EU261: TravelStacks is cheaper or equal at 25% vs AirHelp's 25-35%

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  Fee advantage on US DOT: TravelStacks wins outright - AirHelp does not cover US DOT claims

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  Bottom line: For US passengers, TravelStacks costs less on both claim types

The $19 flat fee applies exclusively to US DOT refund and reimbursement claims: canceled domestic flights, significantly changed itineraries, denied boarding, and reimbursement for expenses caused by controllable airline disruptions. AirHelp does not offer this service at all.

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  $100 DOT refund: TravelStacks keeps $19, you keep $81 (81% recovery)

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  $300 DOT refund: TravelStacks keeps $19, you keep $281 (94% recovery)

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  $500 DOT refund: TravelStacks keeps $19, you keep $481 (96% recovery)

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  $1,000 DOT refund: TravelStacks keeps $19, you keep $981 (98% recovery)

The flat fee model is especially valuable for larger US refund claims. A percentage model on a $1,000 refund at 25% would cost you $250 in fees. The flat $19 saves you $231. See the US DOT rights guide for what qualifies under DOT rules.

For EU261 and UK261 claims, both services use the percentage model. The difference is TravelStacks's 25% flat rate versus AirHelp's variable 25-35%.

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  250 EUR claim at 25% (TravelStacks): You keep 187.50 EUR

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  250 EUR claim at 35% (AirHelp high end): You keep 162.50 EUR

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  400 EUR claim at 25% (TravelStacks): You keep 300 EUR

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  400 EUR claim at 35% (AirHelp high end): You keep 260 EUR

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  600 EUR claim at 25% (TravelStacks): You keep 450 EUR

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  600 EUR claim at 35% (AirHelp high end): You keep 390 EUR

When AirHelp charges more: AirHelp's higher fee tier applies when the case requires legal enforcement. If your claim is straightforward and the airline pays without escalation, AirHelp may charge the lower 25% end. If legal action is needed, expect 35%. TravelStacks charges 25% regardless.

Consider a US passenger whose Frankfurt to New York flight is canceled by Lufthansa. They have two potential claims:

1. 1

   EU261 claim: 600 EUR for a flight over 3,500 km. TravelStacks fee: 150 EUR. You keep 450 EUR.

2. 2

   US DOT claim: Rebooking cost of $300 for a new domestic connection. TravelStacks fee: $19. You keep $281.

Total recovery with TravelStacks: 450 EUR + $281 USD, total fees: 150 EUR + $19 USD. With AirHelp, the EU261 portion might cost 150-210 EUR (25-35%), and the DOT rebooking claim cannot be filed at all through AirHelp.

For US passengers on transatlantic routes, TravelStacks handles both jurisdictions in one filing. See air france cancelled flight compensation and british airways delay compensation for airline-specific guides.

Despite the higher potential fee, AirHelp has advantages in specific situations:

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  Highly contested claims: AirHelp has legal teams in multiple EU countries and has taken thousands of cases to court. For airlines known for systematically denying claims (such as Ryanair), AirHelp's enforcement track record may be valuable.

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  EU-only travelers with no US DOT exposure: If you never fly through the US and only care about EU261, the services are comparable, with TravelStacks slightly cheaper at a fixed 25%.

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  Non-English-speaking EU travelers: AirHelp supports more EU languages than TravelStacks.

For most US-based passengers, the combination of lower EU261 fees and exclusive US DOT claim coverage makes TravelStacks the better option. Compare specific services at /compare/airhelp.

The decision framework is simple:

1. 1

   US domestic flight disruption (DOT claim): TravelStacks at $19 flat. AirHelp does not handle this.

2. 2

   EU261 claim on a transatlantic or EU-departing route, US-based passenger: TravelStacks at 25%. Handles both the EU261 and any US-leg DOT claim.

3. 3

   EU261 claim, no US travel involved, cost-sensitive: TravelStacks at 25% is the lowest guaranteed rate. AirHelp could be 25% or 35%.

4. 4

   EU261 claim likely to require court action against a systematically denying airline: Both services are viable. Compare their specific track records for your airline.

File your claim at TravelStacks. Check the airline rankings page to understand your airline's disruption and claim approval history before filing.