lost luggage?

Question

have u ever had ur luggage lost by an airline then had it returned? How long did it take for it to be returned to u?

Answer 1

I have had my luggage both delayed and lost by airlines. The normal time for an airline to find and return your luggage is 7-10 days.

Here is some information that you will want to know:

FOR DELAYED LUGGAGE:

If your luggage does not arrive in the baggage claim area, find the baggage agent on duty immediately. There's a chance your luggage already arrived and is locked up in the agent's area for safe keeping. Sometimes luggage is loaded onto a non-stop flight even though you were on a plane that had a stopover on the way so your suitcases get there before you.

But if your luggage is not there, do not leave the airport before completing the paperwork for the baggage agent. Fill out all information about your luggage on the forms provided. present them with your baggage claim ticket (what you were given when you checked your luggage in at departure). Be as detailed as possible. They will track it, get it on the soonest available flight and have it shipped to wherever you are staying, or forward it to your next destination. Get a phone number to call in case you need to follow-up.

If you need basic amenities such as toothbrush, toothpaste and razor to be ready for a meeting, ask. Most airlines will provide these for you while you're waiting for your suitcase.


FOR LOST LUGGAGE:

If the airline actually loses your bags, make sure you get a written claim for damages. This may require a different form than the original "missing luggage" form. This can be done at the airport or by mail.

On domestic flights, the airline baggage liability is capped at $2,800 per person. For international flights, the limit is $9.07 per pound (or $20 per kilogram) for checked baggage, and $400 per person for carry-ons. You may need to produce receipts. If you have them, include copies in any documentation you send to the airline. You can purchase "excess valuation" protection if your checked baggage is worth more than these limits.

From personal experience, they will compensate IF you are able to prove what you had and the value of what you had in your luggage. I take pictures and keep receipts for everything that I pack in my luggage (tedious work, but came in handy when one of my bags got lost and is something I learned to do after the first bag got lost!). As they state in their policies, they only reimburse up to a certain amount.

You WILL have hassles, especially if your things are not documented, because they have the hard job of deciding if you are telling the truth or just trying to get money from them. If you have travel insurance, you can submit a claim to them and they will reimburse your costs faster and easier than the airline would.

Things like DVDs, and CDsare harder to get reimbursed.


If all else fails be sure to file a complaint immediately. If you still can't get satisfaction, or feel the need to report the airline, write or call:

DOT Aviation Consumer Protection
400 Seventh Street, S.W. #4107
Washington D.C., 20590
Telephone: [phone].
Website: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/

Good luck and I hope you get the resolution that you are wanting!