Travel question of the day: Simon Calder on airline compensation

Have a travel question that needs answering? Ask our expert Simon Calder

Ho Chi Minh City

Q I've just returned from a three-month holiday in Indochina. I flew with the Indian airline Jet Airways from Heathrow to Saigon via Mumbai. While away I got an email from the agent saying Jet Airways had cancelled my return flight, and was offering me a flight one day either side of my original flight or a refund of the return part of my ticket.

As the other flights were at much less convenient times and not the day I wanted to return I asked how much the refund would be? I was told it would be £58, obviously not enough to buy a new ticket, so I reluctantly opted for the least-rubbish flight one day before my original flight.

I've written to the airline, which has refused to give me any compensation for the inconvenience they caused. Is there anything I can do?

Edward Wallis

A The agent should have fought your corner, for example asking Jet Airways to re-book on a rival airline so you could get back when you were supposed to. Were Jet Airways an EU airline, it would have been obliged to do this.

As things stand, if you can demonstrate actual financial loss - as opposed to loss of enjoyment - you could conceivably claim under the Montreal Convention. But I fear that could be a wasted battle. I’m afraid all I can suggest is that you vow to buy and fly with different companies in future. Sorry I can’t be more optimistic.

Every day, our travel correspondent Simon Calder tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder