Lost baggage compensation in the UK and EU.
How much can you claim? What are the rules?
What about delayed baggage compensation? Can you get anything if your suitcase arrives to destination later than you? Maybe it got lost somewhere on the way to the airplane, or if it’s a connecting flight there is also a possibility that airport staff simply didn’t manage to transfer it in time. If you miss a connecting flight, your bag may get delayed as well. Possibilities are endless.
What to do if your luggage is lost?
Lost and Delayed Baggage Compensation
In the EU there’s Regulation EC261/2004, in the UK – Regulation UK261.
These laws protect you against flight delays, flight cancellations, missed connections, denied boarding and downgrading. However, when it comes to baggage, you are protected by the Montreal Convention and the airline’s you are flying with Conditions of Carriage.
In short, if your bag is lost you may get compensation.
If your bag is delayed — reimbursement for your expenses.
Rules are the same with UK, EU and other airlines.
By Europe and EU here on this website, we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Delayed or Lost Baggage: Why It Happens?
Vast majority of checked bags arrive at their destination in time.
But occasionally, baggage gets lost or delayed.
Here are a few of the most popular reasons why it happens:
- Short connection time. When you have a connecting flight with a short connection and the airport staff don’t have enough time to load the luggage on the plane.
- Missed connecting flight. You miss a connecting flight. Your airline offers you another flight for free, but forgets to take care of your luggage.
- Human error. At the check-in counter, airport staff types in the wrong destination airport code and the baggage gets onto the wrong plane.
- Wrong baggage cart. The bag is loaded onto the wrong baggage cart and gets onto the wrong plane
- Missing or broken baggage tag. The tag on the suitcase is misprinted or gets torn off, and the bag can’t be loaded on the right plane in time.
If you baggage is delayed, the airline has 21 days to locate and return it.
If your baggage is delayed for more than 21 days, it is considered lost. In this case, you are entitled to UK lost baggage compensation of up to GBP 1,100 (approximately).
What To Do If Your Luggage Is Lost Or Delayed?
You are waiting for your bag, but it’s not coming?
OK, now everyone has collected your bags, but not you. What now?
The most important thing to remember is — don’t leave the baggage claim area (also called “baggage hall”). Try to find a Baggage Service office which often is located in the baggage claim area, right next to baggage carousels. There you can report the loss of your bag.
Delayed / lost baggage should be reported immediately after your flight. You will be asked to show your passport, baggage tag and boarding pass. A baggage tag is a small sticker with a barcode that you have been issued along your boarding pass after checked in your bag. Usually it is glued to your boarding pass. It will be very helpful, if you can provide any extra information like the brand and make of your suitcase. A photo of your suitcase may make the process of finding your bag easier and faster. But don’t be put off if all you have is your passport and boarding pass, and register the loss anyway.
The Baggage Service Office staff will give you a written confirmation (Property Irregularity Report or PIR) with a personal reference number (don’t lose it), and will tell you what to do next. Mostly you have to wait for 12 – 24 hours until your airline contacts you to arrange delivery. In depends on how fast or slow your airline handles lost baggage claims.
In some cases, you may be allowed to report missing baggage online.
But remember, the sooner you do it, the better!
Read more: What to Do if Your Baggage is Lost?
Tracking Your Delayed Baggage
You can track your baggage online.
The PIR you are given has a personal reference number on it.
You can use this reference number to track the progress of your baggage online, most likely via a special tracer tool or website built specifically for lost baggage tracking (your airline will tell you which one to use). Once the airline personnel has found your baggage, they will let you know.
UK Delayed Baggage Compensation
What are your rights in case of baggage delay?
Could you be entitled to delayed baggage compensation?
In short, if your baggage is delayed, you can file a claim for reimbursement of expenses. And only if it’s lost (at least for 21 day), you may make a claim for lost baggage compensation. And since the amount of the compensation is regulated by the Montreal Convention, your British Airways lost baggage compensation will be the same as when flying with Ryanair or Wizz Air.
Baggage Delayed For Several Days
What if your luggage is delayed for several days?
Each airline has its own procedure when it comes to delayed baggage. Some airlines may ask you to contact them in case your bag is not found after 3 days, some — if it’s still missing after 5 days. You’ll be given instructions at the Baggage Service office.
Follow the progress on the lost baggage tracker of your airline.
Reimbursement of Expenses
If your baggage is delayed, and you have to replace any of necessary items, you can get reimbursed for expenses (sometimes referred to as delayed baggage compensation). The “necessary items” are essential things that you had in your delayed bag and that you can’t manage without, such as underwear, essential clothes, shoes and toiletries.
It’s important to keep the receipts of all the items you buy. When you file a claim for additional expenses, you’ll need to provide these receipts. You have 21 days from the day you receive your delayed baggage to file a claim for reimbursement of expenses.
Rules are the same with EU baggage delay compensation. Since the laws and regulations are the same. It’s the same with luggage delays, lost luggage and damaged luggage.
UK Lost Baggage Compensation
You can get compensation if your baggage is lost.
The airline has 21 days to locate and return your baggage.
If your baggage is delayed for more than 21 days, it is considered lost. In this case, you’re entitled to UK lost baggage compensation of up to GBP 1,100 (approximately).
In order to receive compensation for lost baggage, you’ll have to provide a list of things you had in your luggage. Please note that it’s not advised to carry electronics, art, jewellery and other valuable items in checked baggage, because airlines aren’t liable to compensate for the full value of such items, only to the extent defined by the Montreal Convention and their Conditions of Carriage.
You will also have to provide your boarding pass, baggage tags and Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with your reference number. In addition to that, you can file a claim for additional expenses incurred because of baggage delay. You will have to provide receipts for these purchases.
Your airline has to transfer the money to your bank account. You don’t have to accept a compensation voucher. You can’t buy a new suitcase with it, can you?
Reimbursement of Expenses
If your baggage is lost, and you have to replace any of necessary items, you can get reimbursed for expenses. The “necessary items” are essential things that you had in your delayed bag and that you can’t manage without, such as underwear, essential clothes, shoes and toiletries.
It’s important to keep the receipts of all the items you buy.
When you file a claim for additional expenses, you’ll need to provide these receipts. You have 21 days from the day your luggage is returned to file a claim.
What to Do If Your Luggage Is Damaged?
What if your luggage is not delayed or lost? What if it’s damaged?
First things first, report the damage.
Don’t leave the baggage claim area, and try to find Baggage Service office. In most of the airports it’s located in the baggage claim area right next to baggage carousels. There you can file a report for damage to your suitcase / backpack / bag.
You will have to show your passport and boarding pass. Bring your damaged bag. Fill in the report and you will be told what to do next. Most probably, the airline will repair your luggage free of charge. If your bag is irreparable, the airline will replace it.
If you discover the damage after leaving the airport, you can send a claim to the airline’s customer service within a few of days after arrival (every airline has its own rules).
Report the damage as soon as possible.
UK Damaged Baggage Compensation
If your hold (checked) baggage is damaged, you may get compensation.
Your airline is liable for that, and you may get up to GBP 1,100 (approximately).
The amount of compensation will depend on the value of your damaged luggage. It’s supposed to cover your expenses of purchasing new luggage of the same value. Don’t forget to register your damaged baggage compensation claim soon after arrival — otherwise you won’t get anything.
The airline has to transfer this compensation to your bank account.
You don’t have to accept any compensation vouchers or coupons, or even miles. Please note that it’s not advised to carry electronics, art, money, jewellery and other valuable items in your hold baggage, because the airline isn’t liable to compensate for the full value of such items, only to the extent defined by the Montreal Convention and the respective airline’s Conditions of Carriage.
If the damage is caused by some defect in the bag itself, you won’t be entitled to compensation. Also the airline is not accountable for minor damage such as scratches, small dents and other (normal) signs of use on your suitcase.
Read more: Damaged Baggage Compensation
Reimbursement of Expenses
In this case, you won’t get anything extra.
You are entitled to reimbursement of your expenses only in if your luggage is delayed or lost, but not if it’s only damaged (the bag itself). If the contents of your bag are damaged or missing as a result, make sure to mention that to your airline.
Is Travel Insurance Necessary?
Yes, and no (it depends).
While you don’t have to provide any insurance documentation when claiming lost, damaged or delayed baggage compensation, it can be very useful in many other situations. That’s why we always recommend that you buy insurance before every trip abroad.
With a good travel insurance, you will have a much more peaceful trip, especially if something does go wrong. Because your travel insurance company will be the ones dealing with most of the consequences. Plus, in most cases, travel insurance isn’t expensive. If you have a credit card, you may not have to pay for insurance at all; it may be included in your plan.
It may also help you to get compensation for baggage quicker.
Please note, that not all travel insurance policies cover baggage delay, loss or damage. Before you purchase travel insurance,find out what does the particular travel insurance policy cover.
Read more: Travel Insurance and UK Air Passenger Rights: What UK Laws Cover and What They Don’t
Travel Prepared
Be prepared that your bag may arrive later than you or even get lost.
Vast majority of hold luggage arrive at their destination in time. But, occasionally, baggage gets lost or delayed. That’s why it’s better to be prepared for that.
So, have a change of clothes and some underwear in your hand luggage. Just in case. If you are travelling to a tropical destination, pack a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, or a summer dress. Don’t forget about the swimwear either. Also, carry your medications and valuables in your carry on. So you can have access to them even if your checked luggage gets lost.
Do you still have questions about compensations in the UK or EU? Something else about lost or delayed baggage? Ask in the comments.
Featured photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels