Have you just deboarded your plane and can not find your luggage at the luggage belt? Unfortunately, it can happen that one’s bag does not arrive on time, or that it is not in the same condition as when you checked in. Of course, baggage problems is not a situation you want to be in, whether you are on your way out or back home from your trip. Nevertheless, lost, damaged or delayed bags is something that many passengers experience every year, and this can happen both on international flights as well as domestic flights. There are many factors that can influence this to happen, for example, the luggage tag got torn off your bag, or you arrived late for check-in, or you had tight connections between transit flights. In those scenarios, your checked bags maybe never got into the plane, and unfortunately, most airlines have a lost luggage a few times a week. The only travel tips we can give you to avoid getting your bag lost is travel with a carry on or fly directly. But in most cases you can’t really avoid it can you?
But what should you do if you have damaged, lost or delayed luggage? Here you will find a helpful guide to what your options are so you can continue with your trip or get compensation.
If your flight was also canceled or delayed, we at Air-Delay.com can help you claim your compensation.
Has the airline delayed, lost or damaged your luggage?
No matter if you have a delayed, damaged or a lost bag, there are a number of steps that you can take. There are deadlines that you must meet if you want to have the best chance of getting compensation. Most people want to be compensated for damages or extra costs they have had because their bag has been delayed.
Your rights in case of a lost or delayed baggage
Airlines are required to compensate passengers if they have delayed, damaged or lost luggage. Air passenger rights laws vary from one region to another, but on most international travel, a treaty called the Montreal Convention applies to the carrier. The maximum baggage liability for flights covered by the Montreal Convention is currently 1,288 Special Drawing Rights = a currency exchange rate that may vary, which is the approximate dollar value of $1.800 US.
On domestic travel in the U.S., the maximum liability limit is $3.800 US. This means you can get a greater compensation amount when traveling on a domestic flight in The U.S than on an international flight.
The compensation amount should cover things you have lost in your bag and any replacement purchases you have made. The airlines are obliged to cover the losses of your packed items. If you have been 2 people sharing a bag, then both of you can apply for a compensation claim.
You are entitled to compensation if your checked bag has not arrived after 21 days. The same applies if your airline has reported that your luggage is permanently lost.
You are entitled to compensation for the purchases you have had to make while your luggage has been gone. It is also up to the airline to evaluate which purchases are reasonable expenses.
Remember to keep all receipts on what you have bought – you will need them if you file a bag claim. You should also be aware that you are more eligible for replacement purchases on your trip out than on the way home.
Rights in case of damaged luggage
In the event of damaged baggage, the airline will negotiate a compensation amount. Remember that the compensation applies per. person – even if you share a bag. There is also good reason to contact your insurance company, as the insurance policies might cover a larger compensation amount.
Whether it’s your bag or your packed items, the airline is entitled to pay for the damage or to repair damaged items. The airlines must replace the things that cannot be repaired. Keep in mind, however, that you can not cover minor damage on a suitcase.
If you have had to buy new things as a result of the suitcase or its contents being damaged, keep all your receipts. These purchases can also be included in what you can get reimbursed – of course within reason. However, the airline will always evaluate your purchases and whether they make sense. For example there will be an expectation that you are not making the most replacement purchases on the way home, but instead on the way out to your destination.
Contact the airline employees at the airport to get more information on your baggage claim.
When you experience a lost luggage or a delayed luggage
When you discover that your baggage is lost or it is delayed, you can start the process of lost luggage claim from here: As a first step, have your boarding pass with you and go to the airline’s baggage desk and contact the airline you have flown with. If you had a connecting flight and flew with more than one airline, then the baggage claim should be filed with the airline of the last flight. Alternatively, you can contact the employees at the airport who handle all the airport’s luggage. Here they can make a PIR-report (Property Irregularity Report). It is a report documenting that your bag is lost. It is important that you keep the report as you will need it later if you are to file a claim for compensation from the airline. In addition, there is also a file reference number in the report that you can use to track your luggage online.
Your PIR-report must be done within 7 days. Therefore, make sure that you get it done as soon as possible. Otherwise, the alternative may be to return to the local airport to make the report.
If you are about to travel, then there may be purchases that you may need to make. It can be a toothbrush, medicine, charger, etc. Remember to save the receipts for this.
When your delayed baggage shows up, you still have the opportunity to complain. Here you must be aware that you must submit a written complaint within 21 days after your luggage has arrived. You can send the complaint to your airline representative, or alternatively to the agency you have booked the trip through.
The difference between delayed and lost luggage
Your luggage is declared lost if it is not found after 21 days. If an airline loses you bag, you can then submit a written complaint to the airline. Here you need to use your PIR-report (Property Irregularity report) from the airport.
If your delayed or lost bags has resulted in you buying new things, you can attach purchase receipts to get back money for those expenses.
When you file a claim, it is better that you set a date for when you would like the compensation because airlines are not obliged to pay compensation within a certain time limit.
When your luggage is damaged
When the bag is damaged in the airline’s custody, the procedure is the same as for lost and delayed baggage. Contact the airline representive or airport luggage department if your bag is not on the luggage belt. Here you must have created a PIR-report (Property Irregularity Report). The PIR-report is your proof that the bag is damaged and it must be used if you want to file a claim for compensation.
Your deadline for submitting a written complaint to your airline is 7 days after you have received your bag.
Please submit as much documentation as possible when you make your complaint. This applies to both the PIR-report, receipts, etc. It can strengthen your case when the paperwork is in order – and it can also speed up the process. Please also fill in when you want the compensation to be paid. There are no rules for when the airline must pay the compensation.
Contact insurance company
Whether your luggage is delayed, lost or damaged, it is an advantage to contact one’s insurance company or credit card company if you have a travel insurance or a credit card that cover damaged and lost luggage. In many cases, it is possible that you can be covered for more than the airline can pay out. However, it may vary from insurance company to insurance company.
The more documentation you can send to the insurance company, the better. Therefore, make sure to collect the necessary receipts, and flight information (boarding pass, booking reference, etc) the insurance company needs – this also applies to the PIR-report you have created at the airport.
Get compensation in case of delay in travel
If your lost luggage means that you will be delayed on your journey, it may be an idea to investigate whether you may be entitled to reimbursement or compensation. In some cases you might have extra expenses or the flight does not go as planned.
Read more about your rights with other airlines: Rights: Delayed flight and Rights: Flight Cancelled
Create your case and get expert help to collect your compensation at Air-Delay.com.
