Compensation for lost luggage , what to do

It has happened to many of us and it could happen to you: You get off a flight, head to the baggage carousel, and wait for your luggage... You wait, you wait, you wait... The hall empties and you are still there, waiting...

What eventually happened to your luggage? Is it lost? Will it arrive on another flight?

Lost or delayed luggage is one of the most frustrating aspects of a trip – something every traveller would want to avoid.

However, things are improving year by year, as statistics show that the number of lost bags has decreased by 50% from 2007 until today. But this offers no guarantee for your luggage. Luggage loss continues to be a daily occurrence for airlines.

Sometimes it's the airline's fault, sometimes it's the airport and its services. But all you care about is getting your bag back immediately!

What do you do if you lose your bag on a plane?

First, try to remain calm – however difficult that may seem.

Then, according to international conventions, you are entitled to compensation for both the delay of your luggage (if it arrives late) and, of course, for its loss. Thus, under the Montreal Convention, you have the right to compensation in more than 120 nations worldwide – both in Europe and the USA.

The steps you need to follow

After losing or not finding your luggage, you should immediately head to the lost and found office. There, you will report the loss of your bag and receive a copy of your claim. They will then inform you of the next steps, after first searching for your bag in case it can be found immediately (it might be at the departure airport or it might have fallen before the baggage carousel).

Under no circumstances should you leave the airport without filing a claim for your lost luggage and receiving a copy.

Upon completing the claim, the airline must provide you with money for some essential items you would have had in your luggage, such as clothes for the first few days, transport expenses, etc. Also, when completing the loss report at the office, do not forget to describe all the items you had in your suitcase – this will help in the future if, in the worst-case scenario, the bag is not found, to receive the most realistic compensation possible.

What happens if the suitcase is completely lost?

Normally, if your bag hasn't been lost and has been left at an airport, it will be in your hands on the next available flight. However, if 30 days pass without finding your bag, it will be declared lost. This is where the list of items you wrote down earlier will help you.

Contact the airline immediately and ask for compensation for the bag and the items you had inside. Accurately state what you had without exaggerating, as this risks the airline cutting your compensation.

The maximum financial compensation in Europe you can receive for lost luggage is 1,100€ per person, while in America it is $3,400.

 

Have you ever been a victim of lost luggage? How did you deal with it? We look forward to your experiences at travelo.gr!