This is for my sister who had her purse stolen in Barcelona. She flew American Airlines open jaw. She was told in Barcelona she didn't need to file a police report - the US Embassy told her this! She is currently in Geneva and will fly out of London 7/24 (two days)<BR><BR>I called American in the US and their international flights representative told me to have her fill out a form and pay $100 fee. My sister says the people in Spain said she didn't have to do this, plus she is low on money since her credit cards have not been replaced yet.<BR><BR>Please advise me on how to help her!

without adding any more time to her distress, I'd find a way of wiring her some cash, to cover the airline fee and then some.<BR><BR>You can file complaints and get it all resolved after she gets home<BR><BR>She should also go directly to the American Airlines office if she can.<BR><BR>If she has/had an Amex card, she can go to the American Express office for some immediate assistance with that account.<BR><BR>By the way, I would file a police report anyway, if it's possible.

Suzzanne,<BR><BR>You mean your sister had her purse stolen containing credit cards, airline tickets, etc. and she didn't file a police report??? I find this hard to believe.<BR><BR>If it is true, she shouldn't be left alone.<BR><BR>Huh

Suzanne: To Elaine's wise words I'd add these:<BR><BR>Take a deep breath. Your sister is not the first, nor will she be the last, to have her tickets lost or stolen. I am sorry she is going through this distress, but she'll pull through, and when she does, she'll have valuable advice for all of us, and unfortunately one day some of us might need it. <BR><BR>Try to get the US rep to give you an American contact in London, and see if you can speak to him/her before your sister arrives. It may make things a little smoother for her once she arrives in London, if she has a name to mention. The higher ranking, the better.<BR><BR>Now, chin up, you're doing great. : - )<BR>

Do you know whether your sister has a copy of her ticket or the numbers at the botton of the tciket?<BR><BR>I was mugged in Madrid,lost everything including the copies of documents,I had my travel agent faxed the copy from her file to the airline at Madrid airport. I got a replacement without any penalty.

To Huh,<BR>Believe it or not, my sister is a world traveler. She spent 9 months in China by herself( not Hong Kong - rural China, teaching), several months in Japan, she has been to Turkey, South Africa, Sweden, Finland, and Germany. She was a delegate for the UN World Aids Conference in Barcelona, and she told me that over 800 people who attended the conference had things stolen. <BR> While I was in Europe earlier this summer, many Americans I ran into who had been to Spain said they had trouble with pick pockets. <BR> I am very happy to say that I didn't have any trouble - of course I had my money in a money wallet under my clothes and shirts with zippered pockets. I had warned my sister about Barcelona, but when something like this happens it is not the time to say, "I told you so".<BR><BR>To all the other posters, thank you for your words of support and your advice. Sue, I will see if I can call someone in London to make this process easier.<BR><BR>To anyone else, please continue to post suggestions, I will check in tomorrow.<BR><BR>Fodorites, you are the best!

I had everything stolen two years ago while on an extended stopover in NYC the morning I was to fly to Europe so I can understand the exasperation, especially from a seasoned traveler. Your sister really needs a police report or insurance will not cover her. Perhaps the American embassy or consulate wherever she is, will help her with this. My home insurance policy covered everything (up to $200 cash, fees for replacing passport, tickets, camera, prescription glasses, purse, etc.)...but that is when I got home. As far ar plane tickets, I did have copies, but still had to pay up front for new tickets (Continental) and was reimbursed 4 months later. VISA wired me $500 emergency funds and a new card in a few days (it was only good for about 3 weeks of travel), then had to get new one when home. All somewhat complicated. Last summer I went to Spain and Portugal, and I wore my neck pouch with airline tickets, passport, credit cards, etc. all the time. I didn't have any problem there, but I was on the alert big time. Good luck. <BR> A big mess and I know m;uch worse to happen abroad.

She needs to fill out a lost ticket application with the airline; I think the fee is $100. They will then reissue a ticket at the same price she paid for her lost one. If the lost one is not used, then she will get a refund; however the LTA fees is nonrefundable. It can take months for the airline to issue her refund.

Interested to know how everything is going... Tough situation.

Suzanne, double check that she lost her paper ticket. She may have an electronic ticket and all she lost was her itinerary and receipt. American charges for paper ticket they try and encourage electronic ticketing. (this is one reason why)....I know this is a long shot..good luck

I believe if she charged the tickets on certain type of credit cards (platinum for ex.), they can be reimbursed.

Dear Joyce & Sue. Thanks for the info. Altho it was a big let down, hopefully this oct. will be operating. we,re then going to Lyon. Hope that,s going to be open. Guess we would phone Lyon tourist bureau first.

can anyone explain the last post?

can anyone explain the last post?