You are waiting for your train and suddenly the information that nobody likes to read appears on the display board: "+++ train delayed +++" or worse "+++ train cancelled +++". The causes of such disruptions vary and are unfortunately not always avoidable.
1. documentation is important! In order to claim compensation, please have train delays or cancellations confirmed immediately. Pictures of the display board also serve as proof.
2. for business trips, the duration of the trip is working time. Inform your employer immediately to receive instructions on how to handle the situation. Do not hesitate to contact your DER BUSINESS Travel travel agency at any time. We are happy to help you! If you have a smartphone, laptop etc. at your disposal, try to use your working time productively despite the circumstances. In most cases, this is even expected of you. Costs can later be claimed by the employer from the service provider.
What applies in the event of delays?
From a delay of 20 minutes at the destination station, you can continue your journey with ICE/IC/EC tickets immediately or at a later time, even on a different route or in a different product class, as long as the destination station remains the same. If you are more than 60 minutes late at your destination station, you will receive 25% compensation of the one-way fare; if you are more than 120 minutes late, this increases to 50%. For outward and return journeys, compensation is calculated on the basis of half of the fare paid.
What happens if I have to cancel the trip?
If you cancel or do not wish to start your journey due to delays, train cancellations or lost connections, you can apply for a refund of the full fare if the delay at the destination station is more than 60 minutes or the train is the last connection of the day and you cannot reach the destination station by midnight without using another means of transport.
Compensation or reimbursement
To apply for compensation or reimbursement, you can do so online at bahn.de or in DB Navigator. Alternatively, you can also submit the passenger rights form by post.
Last but not least, remember to coordinate with your employer!
Don't forget to check with your employer whether there are company rules for compensation claims in your company and whether you have to assign the compensation to the employer. Sometimes this is even stipulated in the employment contract.
We wish you a safe journey at all times!
Steffen Kuhlmei can look back on almost two decades of extensive expertise in the business travel sector. His career began in the ticketing segment before he later took over responsibility for projects and processes in a franchise business travel agency. After a brief period as a Senior Travel Experience Agent at a start-up, he joined the DER BUSINESS Travel team in mid-2023. His main focus is on multifaceted topics such as automation, visas, reporting and a variety of other projects.
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