I traveled recently to Israel and Italy with Air France. Both times they lost my luggage for a number of days. I did not buy 200$ walking shoes in Italy so I could get a receipt. I had on high-heeled boots. I purchased other items on the street from vendors who sold me a nightgown, a sweater, and some underpants. I also bought some shoes for 40$ euros .
Air France wants a receipt for al items purchased. They are willing to send me 131$ for cosmetics I have a receipt for.
Do I have any recourse for my problem? Next time, should I go big and buy in stores I can get a receipt?I paid 300$ for travel insurance for the latest trip to Italy.

There's always a risk when one participates in the margins of an economy. AF is fully within their rights as they, technically, would require receipts if auditted.

Of course they'd want receipts. Now, if they lost your luggage entirely they'd pay a base amount for that even if you didn't have records. But since they are only paying for items you needed to buy while waiting for your bags - yep -- you need proof.

(One doesn't need to spend €200 to get a receipt.)

Last year, it took a week for AF to get my bag to me. I purchased one or two things from street vendors and got receipts, so not difficult or unusual. AF reimbursed me about 80% of what I spent,which seemed fair because I bought a few great pieces (in Italy) that I wear regularly.

Thank you for your responses. I will try not to fly AF anymore since they have lost them three times in the last five years. I understand what you are saying about "the margins of the economy". It is helpful to hear your opinions.

Our luggage was delayed 3 days last December following an Air France flight, and I submitted a claim and receipts to the company. This week we were notified that the claim had been processed and we would get a check to cover the cost of items we had to buy while waiting for the luggage (warm trousers, tops, and a pair of walking shoes for DH, underwear for both of us, toiletries. The check will just about cover the costs (we were in Nice, not cheap shopping territory), and we'll submit the balance to TravelGuard.