A fan of Martin Lewis has explained how they claimed £700 in compensation after their flight was cancelled.

MoneySavingExpert.com reader Allison revealed how her Easter package holiday to Porto, Portugal, was scrapped by easyJet the night before her holiday. But as she was given short notice of the cancellation, it meant she was due compensation on top of a new flight.

Writing in to MSE, she said: "Just wanted to say a giant thank you. Our Easter package holiday to Porto was cancelled by easyJet the night before our holiday. Thanks to your advice to persist (and using your links), we've just received £700 in compensation."

If your flight is cancelled, you can either ask for a refund of the ticket or ask to be rebooked on a replacement flight - but you may also be due compensation as well.

Under EU regulation 261/2004, passengers can claim compensation if their flight is cancelled in certain circumstances. This can range from €125 (£110) for cancelled flights less than 1,500km, to €600 (£520) for flights over 3,500km - and this is per person.

It also depends on how much notice you were given and the timings of your alternative flight. You may be entitled to extra money back if your flight was cancelled up to 14 days before departure and your replacement flight takes off or lands from two to four or more hours later than the original flight was scheduled.

The airline will also generally only pay out if it was their fault your flight was cancelled.

The flight you were on must have departed from an airport in the UK on any airline, or arrived at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline, or arrived at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.

Here is how it breaks down:

Flight was cancelled between 7 and 14 days before departure

  • Distance; Less than 1,500km - Rescheduled flight takes off more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives less than two hours after it - €125 compensation
  • Distance; Less than 1,500km - Rescheduled flight takes off more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives more than two hours after it - €250 compensation
  • Distance; Less than 1,500km - Rescheduled flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight - €250 compensation
  • Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km - Rescheduled flight takes off more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives less than three hours after it - €200 compensation
  • Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km - Rescheduled flight takes off more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives three to four hours after it - €400 compensation
  • Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km - Rescheduled flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight - €400 compensation
  • Distance; More than 3,500km - Rescheduled flight departs more than two hours before your original flight, and arrives less than four hours after it - €300 compensation
  • Distance; More than 3,500km - Rescheduled flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight - €600 compensation

Flight was cancelled less than 7 days before departure

  • Distance; Less than 1,500km - Rescheduled flight takes off more than one hour before your original flight, and arrives less than two hours after it - €125 compensation
  • Distance; Less than 1,500km - Rescheduled flight arrives more than two hours after your original flight - €250 compensation
  • Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km - Rescheduled flight departs more than one hour before your original flight, and arrives less than three hours after it - €200 compensation
  • Distance; Between 1,500km and 3,500km - Rescheduled flight arrives more than three hours after your original flight - €400 compensation
  • Distance; More than 3,500km - Rescheduled flight departs more than one hour before your original flight, and arrives less than four hours after it - €300 compensation
  • Distance; More than 3,500km - Rescheduled flight arrives more than four hours after your original flight - €600 compensation