Lufthansa delayed baggage compensation.
How much can you claim? What are the rules?
It can be frustrating to wait by the baggage carousel at the airport and realize your suitcase may not have arrived. This is a common issue with air travel – your baggage could be lost somewhere along the way or may not have been loaded onto your connecting flight as scheduled. Regardless of the reason, losing your baggage is never enjoyable.
What to do if your luggage is lost?
What to Do If Your Luggage Is Lost?
What to do if your baggage is delayed or lost?
First and foremost, report the delayed/lost baggage immediately.
As soon as you realize your baggage is delayed, report it to the representative at the baggage claim area. To report a lost bag, please present your passport, boarding pass, and the baggage tag (a small sticker usually placed on your boarding pass during check-in). Providing a photo of your suitcase or any additional information can speed up the process, but it’s not necessary. If you have only your passport and boarding pass, you can still proceed with the loss report.
The representative will take down your contact information and give you a Property Irregularity Report or PIR with a personal reference number to use for tracking purposes. Don’t lose this document.
If your baggage goes missing, it is usually found within the first 24 hours. Once your bag is located, the airline will contact you to arrange a delivery time.
Tracking Your Lost Baggage
At the airport, you have received a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) that has a personal reference number. Keep this safe because you will need it to track your baggage.
To check the status of your lost items, use the airline’s online baggage tracing system. The representatives will give you the details upon reporting your lost bag. Essential details such as your name and PIR are required to use this baggage tracer.
Remember, the number on your baggage tag is not the same as your PIR number.
Lufthansa Delayed Baggage Compensation
What are your rights if your baggage is delayed?
Could you be entitled to delayed baggage compensation from Lufthansa?
Baggage Delayed For 5+ Days
If your delayed baggage has not been found within five days of reporting it, contact the airline to provide a detailed description of the item and its contents. You can do this by filling out the list of contents on the airline’s baggage status page, which will automatically become available five days after you report the delay.
Reimbursement of Expenses
“Reimbursement of expenses” is often known as delayed baggage compensation.
Remember that you can get reimbursed for essential expenses such as toiletries, underwear, and necessary clothes if your baggage is lost. However, you need to keep the receipts for these purchases as they will be required for filing a claim. Only essential items are eligible for reimbursement.
The claim must be filed within 21 days from the date when the lost baggage is received.
Lost Baggage (You Can Get Compensation)
Lufthansa has 21 days to locate and return your baggage.
If your delayed baggage has not been found within 21 days, it is considered officially lost. Once this happens, you can file a claim for compensation with the airline.
You may receive up to €1300 compensation.
Please note that it’s not advised to carry electronics, art, jewellery, etc., in checked baggage, because Lufthansa (or any other airline, for that matter) isn’t liable to compensate for the full value of such items, only to the extent defined by the Montreal Convention and its Conditions of Carriage.
When making a claim, you need to present your boarding pass, baggage tags, and the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with your reference number. If you had had any additional expenses while waiting for your baggage, you can file a claim by providing receipts for your purchases.
Is Travel Insurance Necessary?
Do you need travel insurance?
The answer is that it depends. Though it is not mandatory to present proof of insurance when making a claim, it is highly recommended to buy insurance before embarking on your journey.
If you have travel insurance, it can give you peace of mind while traveling, especially if unexpected problems happen. Your travel insurance provider can help you deal with most of the outcomes, which can make your trip more enjoyable. Also, some travel insurance policies are inexpensive. Therefore, it’s worth considering getting travel insurance or using a travel debit/credit card that includes insurance coverage.
If your baggage is lost or delayed and it’s not your fault, you might be eligible for a refund for essential purchases through your insurance policy, which could be simpler than dealing with the airline directly.
Before making any purchases, you should contact your insurer and keep all receipts. Your money won’t be refunded if you don’t have receipts. It’s critical to ask about the policy’s coverage details, including whether it includes baggage delay coverage.
Travel Prepared
To be prepared for potential baggage loss or delay, pack a change of clothes and underwear in your carry-on bag. This is especially important if traveling to a tropical destination where appropriate weather clothing and swimwear are needed.
It’s also advisable to keep medications and valuable items in your carry-on as a precaution in case your checked baggage is lost.
Please note that the rules for compensation for delayed or lost baggage with Lufthansa are the same as those for other airlines. This is due to the Montreal Convention, which applies to the carriage of baggage on most international flights operated by Lufthansa and other airlines globally.
Featured photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels