How to Handle Damaged Luggage Claims

With the increased frustrations that accompany flights these days, damage to luggage could worsen the experience. This article will explore how to handle a claim for damaged luggage.

Instructions

1. Book your flight and read the policies of the airline for damaged luggage. Read the contract of carriage. You can find this information on the airline's website. You'll discover how the airline handles claims for damaged luggage and any limits to the amounts you may recover.

2. When your flight reaches its destination, go to the baggage claim area. Inspect your luggage immediately to determine whether it was damaged during the flight.

3. Find the customer service area of the airline, which should be located in the baggage claim area near where you picked up your luggage. If your luggage has been damaged, take it with you to the customer service area and show the representative the damaged luggage.

4. Discuss what options are available with the customer service representative. Years ago, you may have been able to get a check to cover the cost of replacing the damaged luggage. Now, you will most likely be asked to allow the airline to send your bag to be repaired. This takes approximately six weeks and means you will have to carry your belongings around in a plastic bag during your trip. As an alternative, you may be offered a credit for a future flight, such as $50 off your next booking.

5. Decide whether you think the airline is being reasonable. If you think the offer for dealing with your damaged luggage is fair, accept it. Otherwise, tell the representative what you think would be a fair solution. Your idea may or may not be approved.

6. Make the claim while you are still at the airport, even if you don't reach a deal with how to handle the damaged luggage. If you don't agree to terms, you want to have a record that you reported the damaged luggage. Call or email the airline later to ask for a better solution. The negative part about this is that you will then have to get your luggage back to the airline later if the company decides that repairing the luggage is the only solution available.

7. Take steps to avoid having your luggage damaged on future flights. Limit yourself to carry-on luggage if possible. Purchase sturdier, better-quality luggage that has less chance of being damaged.

Tips & Warnings

• Know the policies of the airline regarding damaged luggage before you fly. You will be subject to these policies.

• Be nice to the airline representatives when you are discussing the options for your damaged baggage. You will have a much better result this way.

• Make sure to take the damaged luggage to the customer service area of the airline and make the claim before you leave the airport. Once you leave, you'll have to prove you had good reason not to report the damage at the airport. You usually have an absolute deadline of 24 hours after the flight has landed to make any sort of claim. Check the individual airline's policies.

• Take photos of your luggage before the trip and after the damage has occurred. This way, you'll have visual proof for your damaged luggage claim.

• It is often better to accept the offer given to you at the airport, even if you have to negotiate a better deal. Once you leave the airport, you'll have more steps to go through to make your damaged luggage claim.