What do you do when an airline has lost your luggage?
IT is an awful experience when your baggage does not appear on the carousel.
We explain what you can do when an airline has lost your luggage.
What happens when your luggage is lost?
According to research, 85 per cent of total lost luggage is found and returned within 36 hours.
If your luggage is lost for 21 days, it's officially considered lost and you can get compensation.
If your luggage was in the hold and it becomes lost, delayed or damaged then the airline is liable for your losses, according to
There isn’t a rule on a fixed amount of compensation you can receive as it depends on the airline and the value of what you have lost.
The maximum will be around £1,000, but it is unlikely you will receive that much.
What can you do?
Before travelling make sure you add a label to your luggage with your name, address and email address.
The Civil Aviation Authority recommends you add a label on the inside of your luggage as well as the outside in case the tags on the outside come off.
Make sure you have travel insurance so you can file a claim if the airline does not pay out.
Will you be reimbursed for delayed luggage?
Most airlines will reimburse you for the bare essentials you need when your bag is delayed, which can cover toiletries, laundry costs and pants.
If you were travelling home you may not be reimbursed as you will have other essentials available to you.
Some airlines will pay a daily rate – make sure you check with your airline ahead of travelling.
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How do you make a claim?
You must report that your luggage has been lost or delayed at the airport.
Make sure you keep a copy of the Property Irregularity Report.
Then contact the airline in writing within seven days for lost baggage to explain how much the bag and the contents are worth by using receipts or credit card records as proof.
For delayed bags you have 21 days to write to the airline from when you received your luggage back.
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