They asked how old my bag was, where I purchased it and how much I paid for it. (I never identify myself as a travel reporter for fear of getting special treatment, a violation of our ethics policy.) But they were clearly trying to limit their liability. Southwest baggage representatives in Dallas were friendly and apologetic and didn't doubt I needed a new bag. My suitcase wasn't new and had plenty of scuffs, but the broken retractable handle was clearly a big problem. I worried that Delta Air Lines, which I was flying the next day out of Dallas, wouldn't accept it, or would have me sign a waiver absolving them of any liability should it get further damaged. (The higher limits generally apply to a lost suitcase full of pricey personal belongings.) That doesn't mean you're going to get $3,500 or anything close to it if a wheel fell off your bag or your handle was destroyed. The limit on international flights, per the Montreal Convention, is about $1,600, the agency says.Īirlines are free to pay more but there is no requirement to do so, according to the DOT. The reimbursement is based on the value of the bag and its depreciation, the DOT says, subject to liability limits.įor flights within the United States, the maximum liability for a lost, delayed or damaged bag is $3,500. If a bag cannot be repaired, it will be replaced with a like bag or passengers will be reimbursed. Appreciate the service.- Pete Abraham November 28, 2018 18 days later a new bag - same exact model - was delivered. Nice folks there gave me a tag to UPS it to a place to repaired or replaced. Thank you to My suitcase was damaged on a flight home Nov. Many use Dallas-based Rynn's Luggage, which bills itself as the largest airline luggage repair and replacement service in the country. The cheapest option for airlines is a bag repair. Department of Transportation's Aviation Consumer Protection division. The three main reasons: They didn't think they would be entitled to compensation, they were not aware of their rights and they did not know how to file a claim.Īirlines are responsible for repairing or reimbursing a passenger for damaged baggage and/or its contents when the damage occurs while the bag is under the airline’s control, according to the U.S. travelers don't file claims against airlines following an issue with lost, damaged or delayed luggage, according to a survey earlier this year by AirHelp, a service that helps passengers get compensation for claims against airlines. Passenger rights if an airline damages your bag "We anticipate damage and when it does happen, we have a plan in place to take care of our customers,'' she said. (So are removable straps, which regularly get stuck in the bag loading systems, so take them off, she said.) The latter is a big problem in cold weather, Ouimette said. If you have a brand new bag, expect it to have normal wear and tear.''Īirlines also reserve the right to deny claims to passengers with damage caused by overstuffed bags, such as broken zippers, as well as poor quality bags and bags that were damaged when checked in.ĭamage to luggage components including wheels, handles, straps and other glaring problems, such as holes or a cracked hardside bag, are covered. "If you have a Louis Vuitton (bag) and it goes through the (conveyor) belt system, it is not white glove service,'' said Lisa Ouimette, an analyst in American Airlines' central baggage services office. Bags can get dirty during transit, and isn't something we cover under the damage policy.- American Airlines September 21, 2018 And it applies even if you bought the suitcase the night before your flight or are checking a designer bag. Normal wear and tear, including scratches, scuff marks, stains, dents and dirt, are not covered.Įvery airline damaged bag policy has a disclaimer about normal wear and tear. Department of Transportation, may differ significantly from a passenger's definition. An airline's definition of damage, backed by the U.S. Here's what I learned: Travelers have options when it comes to damaged bags, and knowing your rights will put you in a better position to resolve the claim. Lost bags, too, as an airline permanently lost a bag of mine several years ago. It was the first time an airline damaged my bag. I pushed it into the Southwest Airlines baggage claim office to file a claim, short on time and unsure of what came next. The bright orange Kenneth Cole suitcase circled the baggage claim carousel at Dallas Love Field with what looked like an antenna.Ī piece of wire was all that remained of the retractable handle on the hardside bag.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |