TravelStacks vs AirHelp: Why Flat Fees Beat Percentages
Loren Castillo
Founder, TravelStacks
TravelStacks and AirHelp both help passengers claim flight compensation, but their fee structures are fundamentally different. This comparison breaks down exactly how much each service costs across different claim scenarios and explains why the fee model matters as much as the service itself.
TravelStacks vs AirHelp: The Core Fee Difference
TravelStacks vs AirHelp is not a close call on pricing for most US passengers. AirHelp charges approximately 35% of the claim amount (plus VAT in some jurisdictions). TravelStacks charges $19 flat for US DOT claims and 25% for EU/UK261 claims. On a $1,000 US refund, AirHelp takes roughly $350 while TravelStacks takes $19. That is a difference of $331 on a single claim.
The fee structure question matters because flight compensation claims are not won on size alone. A passenger who recovers $300 but pays $100 in service fees has netted $200. The same passenger using a flat-fee service keeps $281. At scale, across multiple claims or a high-value ticket, these differences compound significantly.
Rule of thumb: for any US domestic refund claim, a $19 flat fee almost always beats a 25 to 35% percentage fee. For EU261 claims above €600 (the maximum compensation), a 25% fee is more competitive and TravelStacks' rate holds up well against AirHelp's 35%.
Fee Comparison by Claim Scenario
Numbers tell the story more clearly than generalizations. Here are exact fee comparisons across common claim scenarios.
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$200 US domestic refund: TravelStacks $19, AirHelp ~$70. Savings with TravelStacks: $51.
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$400 US domestic refund: TravelStacks $19, AirHelp ~$140. Savings with TravelStacks: $121.
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$1,000 US domestic refund: TravelStacks $19, AirHelp ~$350. Savings with TravelStacks: $331.
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€250 EU261 claim: TravelStacks €62.50 (25%), AirHelp ~€87.50 (35%). Savings with TravelStacks: €25.
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€400 EU261 claim: TravelStacks €100 (25%), AirHelp ~€140 (35%). Savings with TravelStacks: €40.
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€600 EU261 claim: TravelStacks €150 (25%), AirHelp ~€210 (35%). Savings with TravelStacks: €60.
Use the delayed flight worth calculator to estimate your specific claim value before choosing a service.
AirHelp's Track Record and Criticism
AirHelp is the largest flight compensation service globally and has successfully processed claims for millions of passengers. Their reach and airline relationships are genuine assets. However, the service has attracted criticism on several fronts that are worth understanding before signing up.
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AirHelp+ membership auto-enrollment: some users reported being enrolled in a recurring subscription without clearly understanding the terms.
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Assignment of rights: signing up requires assigning your legal claim to AirHelp, which means you cannot later withdraw and pursue the claim directly without their consent.
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VAT charges in certain jurisdictions add to the already high 35% base fee.
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Customer service complaints about slow communication during claim processing.
Consumer advocacy organizations including Which? have noted the importance of reading the fine print before using any third-party compensation service. This applies equally to all services in the market.
TravelStacks Pricing: What You See Is What You Pay
TravelStacks operates on a straightforward pricing model with no subscription, no auto-enrollment, and no deductions beyond the stated fee.
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US DOT claims: $19 flat. Applies regardless of refund size.
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EU261 and UK261 claims: 25% of the compensation amount, no additional fees.
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No win, no fee: you only pay if TravelStacks recovers money for you.
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No assignment of rights required in the same manner as percentage services.
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Transparent claim tracking so you know where your claim stands.
The no-win, no-fee structure applies to both pricing tiers. If TravelStacks cannot recover your refund or compensation, you pay nothing. The $19 or 25% only applies on successful claims.
Which Claims Does Each Service Handle?
Coverage matters as much as price. Here is what each service covers.
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TravelStacks: US DOT refund claims, EU261 claims, UK261 claims. Covers all three major regulatory frameworks.
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AirHelp: Strong EU261 and UK261 coverage. Limited focus on US DOT claims historically.
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Both services handle airline pushback and can escalate to regulatory bodies on your behalf.
For US passengers who fly both domestically and internationally, TravelStacks covers all scenarios under one service. This matters if you want a consistent claims experience without switching services depending on the route. For a broader look at which platforms cover which jurisdictions, see our best flight compensation services for US domestic flights guide.
EU261 Claims: Where the Gap Narrows
For EU261 claims, the flat vs. percentage debate is more nuanced. EU261 provides fixed compensation of €125, €250, €400, or €600 per passenger depending on flight distance and delay length. These are predictable amounts, which is why percentage-fee services were originally designed around them.
At TravelStacks' 25% vs AirHelp's 35%, the savings are real but smaller in absolute terms for lower-tier EU261 claims. On a €125 claim, the difference is €12.50. On a €600 claim, the difference is €60. The percentage gap still favors TravelStacks, but the urgency is less extreme than it is for large US refund claims.
For EU261 compensation amounts and eligibility details, see our EU261 compensation amounts calculator. For a look at why no-win-no-fee services have hidden costs, see the true cost of no-win-no-fee flight compensation.
The DIY Alternative
Both services compete not just with each other but with the option of handling your claim directly. For straightforward US refund claims, the DIY process is well-documented and free. The DOT's aviation consumer protection resources provide everything you need.
The case for using either service over DIY is strongest when the airline is disputing the claim, when you have already received a denial, or when the time cost of the process exceeds the service fee. At $19, TravelStacks' threshold for being worth it is very low, especially for anyone who values their time above minimum wage.
Read the detailed analysis in AirHelp vs. doing it yourself for a full breakdown of when DIY beats a service and when it does not. For an overview of claim values, use the how much is a delayed flight worth calculator.
The Bottom Line on TravelStacks vs AirHelp
For US domestic flight refund claims, TravelStacks wins on price by a wide margin at every claim size. For EU261 and UK261 claims, TravelStacks' 25% is more competitive than AirHelp's 35%. The only scenario where AirHelp holds a potential advantage is name recognition and scale of operations, which can sometimes translate to faster processing on contested EU261 claims.
The right choice depends on your specific situation: route, claim type, and how much the fee structure matters relative to the recovery amount. Start by calculating what your claim is worth, then choose the service that leaves you with the most after fees.
Use the how much is a delayed flight worth calculator to run the numbers on your specific situation before deciding.