Lost luggage: what to do to recover it and get compensation
What to do when one's luggage has been lost? It is about every traveler's nightmare. As much as we are used to reading [...]
What to do when one's luggage has been lost? It is about every traveler's nightmare. As much as we are used to reading or hearing various stories about it, even from friends and relatives, the moment we are the protagonists we tend to panic. Therefore, the following is a useful guide for you to know exactly what steps to follow to try to find your suitcase and get compensation.
In this article:
Lost luggage: what to know
The first rule, by far, is to remain calm. Getting angry and turning it into a nightmare, for yourself and the ground staff, is useless. The passenger is always right in such cases and has the right to proper assistance. Here is everything you need to do, starting at check-in.
There is in fact a pre requirement, which anticipates the possible loss of luggage. At check-in you get a sticker with a bar code. It is usually pasted on the boarding pass. It is necessary to have it with you at all times, as it is of enormous importance in case you lose your suitcase.
Once the process of loading baggage into the hold is complete, its arrival at its destination, along with its owner, is the responsibility of the airline. The latter is required to meet the demands of customers, who may obtain delivery to a specific destination, perhaps the third in a staged itinerary. It is in such cases that the risk of loss increases but, as mentioned, this is a normal service and therefore the carrier has absolute responsibility.
Some companies provide a compensation fund for reasonable expenses to be incurred due to the loss of luggage. It is essential to keep every receipt so that you can "submit the bill" at the end of the bureaucratic journey. Depending on the type of ticket purchased, there is a maximum amount. However, it is good to inquire properly with the staff. Ask for info on the possibility of reimbursement when reporting the loss.
Lost luggage: what to do
The first step is to ask those in charge in the baggage claim area. One's suitcase may have been moved after boarding the plane to another baggage claim area. This can happen for very bulky luggage.
Once the loss has been ascertained, the airline should be contacted, especially the one responsible for the last flight taken, if it was different from the initial one. The report should be made to the Lost and Found Office, referred to as Lost and Found in English, if you were outside of Italy. The completed form serves as a report for the airline. All information must be provided in order to be contacted, with a possible forwarding address (whether this is your own or that of the holiday accommodation).
There are three perspectives:
- Baggage remained at the departure airport.
- The luggage remained at one of the transit airports.
- Baggage was sent by mistake to a different airport
In most cases at the Lost and Found desk they will tell you exactly where it is, thanks to the bar code on the boarding pass. Through the carrier's or baggage handling company's official website, you will be able to follow the progress of the situation live.
Baggage lost after 21 days
What happens when one's luggage has been lost for more than 21 days? One must resubmit a lost luggage report. This step involves the airline requesting a list of the most expensive items in the suitcase. One could even request proof of the actual purchase, so as to assess the amount for compensation. On average, the maximum under international regulations is $1,500, approximately.
