KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

So what do you do when your luggage does not turn up on the carousel ?  If it happens you will probably find that you are not alone and that there may be others in the same position. That being the case the faster you get to the lost luggage counter the better.

If this is your first visit to a particular airport, prior to the discovery that your bags are missing it would be a good idea to have had a look around to see where the luggage claims counter is located. You can do this while you are waiting for the carousel to be loaded.

If you are a transit passenger and your bags were transferred from one airline to another without you re checking your baggage in for the last flight it is normally the responsibility of the last carrier to solve your problem regardless of at which point your bags disappeared.

under the terms of the Warsaw Convention (1920), you can claim compensation for lost or damaged luggage , unless the airline can demonstrate that they took all reasonable precautions. The compensation is not generous (£15 per kilo of lost luggage). So perhaps if your bags are valuable there is an argument for getting good insurance cover. If your luggage is lost or delayed on the outbound flight you can claim the cost of replacement of overnight requirements such as toiletries etc. If your luggage is damaged, you must complain within 7 days of collecting the luggage.

KNOW HOW TO COMPLAIN

Do not panic and shout if your luggage does not arrive on the carousel you bags may not be lost but just delayed.  At claims counter beware of misinformation and question every statement made by the baggage claim staff. Try and get them to confirm that they have located your bag in their system and if it is still at the originating airport, precisely which flight will it be following on.  You want to know its arrival time and when it will be delivered to you at the airport, if you decide to wait for it, or at your holiday location.

Most airlines require a 24 hour delay before they consider providing compensation to allow you to buy new clothes

98% of all lost luggage turns up in four or five days with most being found withi 48 hours. If your luggage disappeared on you return flight home the airlines tend not to be so concerned as they know that you can cope with the loss better at home in that they will not have to provide much in the way of temporary assistance as yo will have everything you need at home.

Some airlines now have websites where you can check with a tracking number as to the status of your lost bag. Other airlines require you to keep in touch by phone.

Ask the airline when is the soonest that they might get an update on the bags location.

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SECURITY

PERSONAL SAFETY When you reach your Holiday Airport please stay alert and be aware of the potential hazards for your Personal safety and the security of your luggage and money.  Unfortunately there are many scams designed to part you and your belongings particularly at the start of your Holiday as well as at other times throughout your stay.                                                                  Your cheap flight to Spain or chosen hot spot will not seem so good if you loose your money or possessions as soon as you come off your holiday flight or during your stay at your holiday destination