Lufthansa lost baggage compensation.
How much can you claim? What are the rules?
Losing luggage is one of the most frustrating aspects of air travel, caused by multiple reasons such as transfer errors, mishandling, or simply mislabeling. Waiting by the baggage carousel, hoping for your suitcase to arrive, and realizing it’s missing can ruin your travel experience.
What to do if your luggage is lost?
What to Do If Your Luggage Is Lost?
If your baggage has been lost, make sure to report it immediately.
It can be done at the Baggage Service Office, usually found near the baggage carousels.
Have your passport, boarding pass, and baggage tag ready. You can provide a photo of your bag to speed up the process. But if you don’t have it, detailed description of your bag will suffice.
You’ll get a Property Irregularity Report and a reference number. Don’t lose this document, as you will need it for tracing your bag online. Delivery arrangements will be agreed upon. It may take up to 24 hours or longer to locate your lost luggage.
Tracking Your Lost Baggage
You can track the progress of your lost bag online.
Use the personal reference number on the Property Irregularity Report (which is given to you at the airport) to track your bag’s progress online using the airline’s online baggage tracing system.
Once Lufthansa personnel has found your baggage, they will contact you.
Lufthansa Lost Baggage Compensation
What are your entitlements if your baggage is lost?
Is Lufthansa liable to compensate you? Will they cover expenses to replace your belongings? Is your baggage really lost or just delayed?
Baggage Delayed For 5+ Days
If your delayed luggage is still missing after five days, contact the airline and provide a detailed description of the item and its contents. Fill out the list of contents on the airline’s baggage status page, which becomes available five days after reporting the delay.
Reimbursement of Expenses
If your baggage gets lost and you need to buy necessary items like toiletries, underwear, and essential clothing, you may be reimbursed for your expenses. This is known as delayed baggage compensation. Please keep in mind that you might not receive immediate payment.
Please note that the compensation only covers necessary items such as toiletries, underwear, and essential clothing – items you cannot do without.
Remember to keep all of your receipts as they are necessary for filing a claim for additional expenses. It’s important to note that the deadline for filing the claim and receiving reimbursement is within 21 days of receiving your lost baggage, so don’t miss this deadline.
Lost Baggage Compensation
If Lufthansa fails to locate your baggage within 21 days, you may be eligible to receive up to €1300 in compensation for the lost items. In order to receive this compensation, you must provide Lufthansa with a detailed list of the contents of your baggage. To avoid overlooking any items, it is advisable to prepare this list beforehand.
Lufthansa has to pay this compensation to your bank account. You don’t have to accept any vouchers. You can’t buy a new suitcase with it, can you?
It’s not advisable to pack valuable items such as electronics, art, or jewelry in checked baggage because Lufthansa only compensates for a limited amount as defined by the Montreal Convention and its Conditions of Carriage.
In addition to this, you can file a claim for any additional expenses.
Is Travel Insurance Necessary?
Do you need travel insurance to claim lost baggage compensation?
No, travel insurance is not required to claim lost baggage compensation from an airline. However, having travel insurance can provide additional protection and coverage for any expenses incurred due to the loss of your luggage, such as purchasing replacement items or clothing.
Having a good travel insurance policy can make your journey less stressful, especially in unexpected situations. Your insurance provider will handle most of the aftermath. Travel insurance is usually affordable or may even be included in your debit or credit card benefits.
If the airline is responsible for lost or delayed baggage, you may receive compensation for necessary purchases. You can obtain reimbursement from the airline or your insurance provider. Keeping all receipts is crucial when claiming expenses. Insurance claims can be more efficient than claiming with the airline.
Please note, that not all insurance policies cover baggage delays and loss.
Always find out what your travel insurance covers.
Travel Prepared
Being prepared for the unexpected is always a smart strategy when traveling.
While lost baggage doesn’t happen frequently, it’s important to have a plan in place.
Consider packing extra clothes and undergarments in your carry-on bag, in case your checked baggage is misplaced or delayed for a day or two.
Additionally, keep any important medications or valuables in your carry-on bag, so you can access them even if your checked luggage doesn’t arrive at your destination. Always keep in mind that it’s possible for your luggage to be lost or delayed during your travels, and plan accordingly to minimize any inconvenience.
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