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Ryanair Vouchers: Refund Status & Exchange for Cash

This article will discuss Ryanair vouchers.

What are Ryanair voucher types? How to exchange a Ryanair voucher to cash?

Airlines often issue vouchers as a form of reparation for flight disruptions, but it’s crucial to understand that vouchers aren’t the same as compensation or refund. In this article, we talk about all the most popular and most likely scenarios, where Ryanair vouchers might be issued, and explains your legal rights in each circumstance. It’s worth noting that vouchers are usually optional.

Vouchers must not be confused with flight compensation.

1. Ryanair Vouchers

These vouchers act as prepaid credits that can be redeemed for payment.

Many airlines issue vouchers to their passengers, including Ryanair. Ryanair’s two primary voucher types are Ryanair gift cards and flight compensation vouchers.

  • Ryanair gift cards – These are standard travel gift cards that you can acquire directly from the airline’s website. They can be redeemed to cover the cost of flights booked via Ryanair. Anyone can purchase these for personal use or as a present.
  • Ryanair compensation vouchers – These vouchers function similarly to gift cards. The distinction lies in that these are awarded by Ryanair when flight disruptions occur (e.g., flight delay, cancellation, overbooking).

Getting a gift card is simple – you either buy it yourself or receive it as a present.

What about compensation vouchers or vouchers you receive as a refund for a ticket you didn’t use? If you’re keen to find out more, continue reading.

2. Ryanair Voucher as Refund/Compensation

What led to you receiving a voucher?

2.1 Your Flight Was Cancelled

You must be given a choice if your flight is cancelled.

If Ryanair cancels your flight, they are obliged to provide two alternatives: a full cancellation refund or a replacement flight to your intended destination. The replacement flight can be with Ryanair or another airline, and it should be at no extra cost. Under specific circumstances, you could also qualify for compensation as a result of the flight cancellation.

Bear in mind that both the Ryanair refund and compensation should be deposited into your bank account. While the airline may propose a Ryanair voucher, you are not compelled to accept it.

2.2 You Cancelled a Flight

If you choose to cancel your flight, different rules apply.

According to Ryanair’s policy, your eligibility for a refund primarily depends on the fare conditions of your booking.

If you have a refundable ticket, you can receive your money back. However, if your ticket is non-refundable, you might not qualify for a full refund. Instead, Ryanair may issue a voucher for future travel on their airline, or not give you anything at all.

It is crucial to thoroughly check the specific terms and conditions tied to your booking to understand your rights should you decide to cancel.

2.3 Your Flight Was Delayed

Two scenarios are most common.

The delay was either Ryanair’s fault, or it wasn’t.

If Ryanair is at fault for your flight delay, you could be entitled to flight delay compensation. It is crucial to confirm your eligibility and insist on receiving no less than what is rightfully yours. The procedure and sum of flight compensation are controlled by EU regulations. Compensation amounts generally range between 250 to 600 euros, although in unusual cases, you might receive only 50% of that (up to 300 euros per passenger).

Ryanair might propose a voucher instead of compensation you are entitled to. Firstly, remember that accepting a voucher is optional. Secondly, if you do decide to take a voucher, ensure its value aligns with the legal requirement.

If the delay is not Ryanair’s fault, then it’s unlikely a voucher can be cashed out if they have issued you one. Since they are not accountable for the delay, they are not obligated by law to provide any compensation at all, and it’s just their gesture of good will.

2.4 You Were Denied Boarding

In instances of overbooking, you and other passengers might be involuntarily denied boarding. As a passenger, you are entitled to either an alternate flight or a refund to your bank account. Additionally, you might also qualify for compensation if you were denied boarding due to overbooking.

Similar to flight delays and cancellations, if compensation is due, you are not obliged to accept a non-refundable voucher. You can request the funds to be transferred to your bank account.

If you voluntarily give up your seat (voluntary denied boarding), you might be given a Ryanair voucher as well. It is critical to thoroughly understand the conditions of the offer, including whether it’s refundable or non-refundable, its validity period, and any usage limitations.

2.5 Alternate Scenarios

As with any situation, it’s important to be observant of what you’re offered.

If you have any uncertainties or questions, it’s recommended to undertake your own investigation to check if you’re being dealt with fairly. On our website we talk about all different scenarios where you might be eligible for compensation or a refund. It’s noteworthy that in many of these instances, Ryanair is required to provide a complete refund instead of a voucher, even if initially they present the latter as the sole option.

Here’s a summary of what you can get in every situation:

SituationUK/EU flight compensationRefund
Flight delayed for 3+ hoursIf it’s due to the fault of Ryanair, you are entitled to flight delay compensationNo
Flight delayed less than 3 hoursNoNo
Flight cancellation less than 2 weeks before the flightIf it’s due to the fault of Ryanair, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensationChoice between a refund and new flight (You can choose either)
Flight cancellation more than 2 weeks before the flightNoChoice between a refund and new flight
You have cancelled a flightNoDepending on the ticket
Boarding denial (due to overbooking)You can get denied boarding compensationChoice between a refund and new flight
You have given up your seat (voluntary denied boarding)NoAs per agreement with Ryanair

When compensation or refund is due, you don’t have to accept a voucher.

Read more:

3. How to Convert Ryanair Voucher into Cash?

In relation to the conversion of voucher into cash, there are two circumstances to keep in mind.

Firstly, if you hold a refundable Ryanair voucher, you have the liberty to transform it into its cash value. By reaching out to the airline, you can ask about the procedure and prerequisites for converting the voucher into cash.

Secondly, there may be instances where you are given a voucher as opposed to compensation or refund, contradicting regulations stating that you are entitled to monetary compensation. In such situations too, it is necessary to connect with the airline to tackle the issue. By approaching them, you can voice your concerns and demand the rightful compensation in cash as an alternative to a voucher. It is vital to stand up for your rights.

4. How to Request a Refund From Ryanair?

To receive a refund for your Ryanair flight, file an application for it via the “My Bookings” section on Ryanair website. Alternatively, you can also complete this form on Ryanair’s website. The amount to be refunded will typically be processed using the same mode of payment that you deployed while purchasing your ticket.

Based upon your ticket category and the circumstances around your request, you may qualify for a full refund, partial refund or potentially no refund.

4.1 Insist on a Ryanair Refund (or Compensation), Not Voucher

In a host of situations you should be presented with an option.

As per the law, you retain the right to reject Ryanair gift cards or vouchers as compensation or refund. This is because EU rules necessitate both refund and UK/EU flight compensation to be transferred to your bank account, unless you, as a passenger, assent to anything else. Therefore, Ryanair must provide that instead of vouchers.

For a detailed run-through of all potential scenarios, please refer to the table provided above.

What if you have already accepted a voucher?

If Ryanair has provided you with a voucher instead of a cash refund, but you believe that you deserved cash compensation, you can make an attempt to request a swap. Nonetheless, the likelihood of securing a full cash refund will be contingent on the specifics of your case.

If Ryanair did not offer a satisfactory rationale or did not present you with the choice between a voucher and monetary compensation/refund initially, it is still worth putting in efforts to secure the funds (your chances are higher).

What is your experience with Ryanair vouchers? Have you ever been given one? Was it a refundable Ryanair voucher or you could use it only for Ryanair flights?