KLM-Northwest, lost luggage
Jul 24th, 2003, 03:59 PM
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KLM-Northwest, lost luggage
KLM has lost my daughters large suitcase on a trip from Amsterdam to JFK. We put in a claim that night. They haven't delivered it or called as promised and they don't answer their phone. It was a 3 week trip including a 12 day cruise and most of her wardrobe and some expensive souveniers were stuffed in their. What should I do next and what is the limit of their liability? thanks you
Jul 24th, 2003, 05:25 PM
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Believe it or not if this was a domestic flight the airline would have to pay you more on a lost luggage claim. Since this was an international flight they will try to reference a provision from Warsaw Convention which all international airlines are members of, and here is a shorten and basic explanation about lost or damaged luggage:
Notice of Baggage Liability Limitations
Liability for loss, delay, or damage to baggage is limited unless a higher value is declared in advance and additional charges are paid. For most international travel (including domestic portions of international journeys) the liability limit is approximately $9.07 per pound for checked baggage and $400 per passenger for unchecked baggage. For travel wholly between U.S. points federal rules require any limit on an airline's baggage liability to be at least $1,250 per passenger. Excess valuation may be declared on certain types of articles. Some carriers assume no liability for fragile, valuable or perishable articles. Further information may be obtained from the carrier
Now that said, will that be the final answer, maybe not, but you have to approach it calmly and reasonably. Your best shot is to get an understanding CS rep and hopefully s/he could push for a bigger payout, but if you start with demands, threats, the airline will quote the above and the claim will be closed with the max payout according to the international agreement. At that point your only option would be to take them to court, which would prove to be extremely expensive since it deals with international agreements and laws.
Hopefully the luggage will be found.
Good Luck!
Notice of Baggage Liability Limitations
Liability for loss, delay, or damage to baggage is limited unless a higher value is declared in advance and additional charges are paid. For most international travel (including domestic portions of international journeys) the liability limit is approximately $9.07 per pound for checked baggage and $400 per passenger for unchecked baggage. For travel wholly between U.S. points federal rules require any limit on an airline's baggage liability to be at least $1,250 per passenger. Excess valuation may be declared on certain types of articles. Some carriers assume no liability for fragile, valuable or perishable articles. Further information may be obtained from the carrier
Now that said, will that be the final answer, maybe not, but you have to approach it calmly and reasonably. Your best shot is to get an understanding CS rep and hopefully s/he could push for a bigger payout, but if you start with demands, threats, the airline will quote the above and the claim will be closed with the max payout according to the international agreement. At that point your only option would be to take them to court, which would prove to be extremely expensive since it deals with international agreements and laws.
Hopefully the luggage will be found.
Good Luck!
Jul 29th, 2003, 08:17 AM
#4
CBS -
FYI - Once you've settled your claim with the airline, if you find you've still not been fully reimbursed, you can make a claim with your homeowner's/personal property insurance for the difference, less your deductible.
Of course what you might be entitled to will depend on your specific coverage, but it's something to keep in mind.
Caveat: The claim with the airline has to be settled (or denied) first.
FYI - Once you've settled your claim with the airline, if you find you've still not been fully reimbursed, you can make a claim with your homeowner's/personal property insurance for the difference, less your deductible.
Of course what you might be entitled to will depend on your specific coverage, but it's something to keep in mind.
Caveat: The claim with the airline has to be settled (or denied) first.
Jul 29th, 2003, 08:47 AM
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I hope your daughter's luggage is eventually recovered. But if not, she may also want to check with her credit card company that was used to purchase the ticket. My Amex Rewards Plus card which I use for all ticket purchases comes with some baggage insurance free of charge. Not all CC's have this coverage and some have optional ones that require enrollment and a per ticket premium, but it's worth checking into. I believe, but not sure, that CC policies are secondary so she'd have to settle with the airline first. I've never filed a baggage claim but have filed claims for just about every other coverage Amex offers and have found them to be hassle free and quick to pay.
