A: WOW should have paid you and your daughter each the 400 euros at the same time it refunded your airfare. A delay of this length is inexcusable.

Let’s back up a little. Your return flight to Paris experienced a “mishap,” but WOW replaced it with a different aircraft — in airline lingo, an “equipment change.” In doing so, it went from a larger aircraft to a smaller one. That meant WOW Air had too many passengers.

Interestingly, since your flight originated in Europe, it’s subject to a consumer law called EU 261 (www.elliott.org/frequently-asked-questions-about-eu261/). WOW Air seems to have completely glossed over that little detail. Had you waited and allowed WOW Air to bump you from your flight against your will, you might have received an even more generous compensation. But you took the WOW Air compensation offer, so this issue comes down to the agreement between you and the airline, not EU 261.

You had that deal in writing, but it appears that the airline was noncommittal about the timeline for reimbursing you. One way to speed things up is by contacting a supervisor. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of the WOW Air customer-service executives on my consumer-advocacy site: www.elliott.org/company-contacts/wow-air/.

As I reviewed the paper trail between you and the airline, I saw no reason for this delay. You were entitled to immediate WOW Air compensation. I contacted the airline on your behalf, and it paid you the 800 euros it had promised.

Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine and the author of “How to Be the World’s Smartest Traveler.” You can read more travel tips on his blog, elliott.org, or email him at chris@elliott.org.