| Delayed bags |
If you and your suitcase don't connect at your destination, don't panic. The airlines have very sophisticated systems that track down about 98% of the bags they misplace and return them to their owners within hours.
In many cases they will absorb reasonable expenses you incur while they look for your missing belongings. You and the airline may have different ideas of what's reasonable, however, and the amount they will pay is subject to negotiation.
If your bags don't come off the conveyor belt, report this to the airline before you leave the airport.
- Insist that they fill out a form and give you a copy, even if they say the bag will be in on the next flight.
- If the form doesn't contain the name of the person who filled it out, ask for it.
- Get an appropriate phone number for following up (not the Reservations number).
- Don't assume that the airline will deliver the bag without charge when it is found. Ask them about this.
- Most carriers set guidelines for their airport employees that allow them to disburse some money at the airport for emergency purchases. The amount depends on whether or not you're away from home and how long it takes to track down your bags and return them to you.
- If the airline does not provide you a cash advance, it may still reimburse you later for the purchase of necessities.
- Discuss with the carrier the types of articles that would be reimbursable, and keep all receipts.
- If the airline misplaces sporting equipment, it will sometimes pay for the rental of replacements.
- For replacement clothing or other articles, the carrier might offer to absorb only a portion of the purchase cost, on the basis that you will be able to use the new items in the future. (The airline may agree to a higher reimbursement if you turn the articles over to them.)
- When you've checked in fresh foods or any other perishable goods and they are ruined because their delivery is delayed, the airline won't reimburse you. Carriers may be liable if they lose or damage perishable items, but they won't accept responsibility for spoilage caused by a delay in delivery.
- Airlines are liable for provable consequential damages up to the amount of their liability limit in connection with the delay.
- If you can't resolve the claim with the airline's airport staff, keep a record of the names of the employees with whom you dealt, and hold on to all travel documents and receipts for any money you spent in connection with the mishandling. (It's okay to surrender your baggage claim tags to the airline when you fill out a form at the airport, as long as you get a copy of the form and it notes that you gave up the tags.)
- Call or write the airline's consumer office when you get home.
|
| |
|
