Many passengers assume that reward or miles tickets are not covered by EU261, mainly because these tickets are often described as “free” or “non-cash” fares. Since compensation is paid in money, it seems logical to think that only tickets purchased with cash qualify.

Airlines sometimes reinforce this belief by suggesting that “no cash ticket means no compensation.” This message is misleading. EU261 does not base passenger rights on how much a ticket cost or how it was paid for. What matters is whether the passenger had a confirmed reservation and met the conditions of the regulation.

The short answer is that EU261 can apply to reward and miles tickets. Passengers travelling on points, miles, or loyalty rewards are generally entitled to the same rights — including compensation, care, and re-routing — as passengers who paid in cash, provided the flight itself falls within the scope of the regulation.

What Is a Reward/Miles Ticket?

A reward ticket (also called a miles or points ticket) is a flight booked using airline loyalty points instead of paying the full fare in cash. These tickets are typically earned through frequent-flyer programs, credit card rewards, or airline promotions.

Although passengers often describe them as “free,” reward tickets are still real tickets with confirmed reservations, subject to airline rules and passenger rights.

Fully Miles-Paid Tickets

A fully miles-paid ticket is booked entirely using points or miles, with only small amounts paid in cash for taxes and fees. Despite the low cash cost, the passenger still holds a confirmed booking for a specific flight.

Mixed Tickets (Miles + Cash / Taxes)

Some reward tickets are booked using a combination of miles and cash, such as:

• miles plus airport taxes and surcharges
• miles plus a partial fare

These tickets are common and clearly not “free” in any practical sense. Like fully miles-paid tickets, they are treated the same under EU261.

Does EU261 Apply to Reward Tickets?

Yes — EU261 applies to passengers travelling on reward and miles tickets, as long as the flight itself falls within the scope of the regulation.

EU261 applies to all passengers with a confirmed reservation.

EU261 protects passengers, not ticket types. If you had:

• a confirmed booking, and
• checked in on time (unless prevented by the disruption),

then EU261 rights may apply — regardless of how the ticket was paid for.

Ticket price is irrelevant for compensation eligibility.

Compensation under EU261 is paid as a fixed amount (€250, €400, or €600) and is not linked to the ticket price. This is why the cost of a reward ticket — whether €0 or €1,000 — does not affect eligibility.

EU261 does not exclude passengers travelling on:

• reward tickets
• miles tickets
• points-based bookings

The only ticket types excluded are free tickets with no confirmed reservation or those offered outside the public fare system (such as certain staff travel). Standard reward tickets offered through airline loyalty programs do not fall into these exclusions.

Why Airlines Treat Reward Tickets Differently in Practice

In practice, airlines often try to apply loyalty program rules to reward tickets instead of EU passenger rights. This can lead to EU flight compensation claims being rejected with explanations such as:

• No cash fare was paid.
• Reward tickets are “free” and therefore excluded.
• Compensation should be paid in miles.
• Low-cost tickets do not qualify

Treating reward tickets as ineligible helps airlines reduce compensation costs, especially for frequent flyers who are more likely to claim.

Also, passengers assume “free” tickets have fewer rights. Because reward tickets are often described as free, airlines know many passengers won’t challenge a refusal

However, loyalty program terms do not override EU261 when the regulation applies. If a flight booked with miles is disrupted, you may still be entitled to EU261 compensation and care.

How Much is Flight Compensation for Reward Tickets?

Passengers travelling on reward or miles tickets are entitled to the same fixed compensation amounts as passengers who paid full price, provided EU261 conditions are met.

You don’t have to accept airline miles or vouchers as flight compensation.

EU261 compensation is paid as a flat amount per passenger:

• €250 for flights of up to 1,500 km
• €400 for flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
• €600 for flights of more than 3,500 km

These amounts apply per passenger, regardless of how the ticket was paid for. When travelling as a group, each eligible passenger is entitled to their own compensation.

Compensation under EU261 is designed to cover time lost and inconvenience, not the price of the ticket.

Right to Care on Reward Tickets

Passengers travelling on reward tickets have the same right to care as any other passenger covered by EU261.

If a reward ticket flight is delayed or cancelled, the airline must provide:

• Meals and refreshments (once the delay reaches 3 hours)
• Access to communication (from a 3-hour delay), such as phone calls or emails
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required
• Transport between the airport and hotel

Refunds and Re-routing on Reward Tickets

When a reward ticket flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, passengers retain the right to a refund or rebooking (a new flight booked by the airline for free).

What a “refund” means for reward tickets?

• For reward tickets, a refund usually involves:
• reinstatement of miles or points used for the booking
• cash refund of taxes, fees, and surcharges paid

Airlines cannot refuse a refund simply because miles were used. You don’t have to accept a refund in miles or airline vouchers. Refunds must be made in cash/bank transfer.

Read more: Refund on Flight Cancellation vs Compensation: What’s the Difference?

If you have a reward ticket, you have rights under Regulation EU261. You may be entitled to flight compensation and other rights.

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