British Airways lost my luggage 2 months ago and now I'm getting the run-around. What can I do now?

I flew from Cyprus to Newark via London on British Airways last December during the fog fiasco. BA initially had both of my suitcases lost, but a month later recovered one. The other is still missing. I have called the baggage service hotline but its all automated and totally useless, same for the Newark baggage service number I demanded upon arrival. There is no information on the website about what to do about lost baggage other than to call the hotline or "file a claim at the nearest BA office."





What do I do now? About a month ago once they realized it was lost, a woman at Newark baggage services told me she would mail me a "survey" to complete to show all the items that were in the lost suitcase but it never came. I was coming back from a 5 month study-abroad so I lost ALL of my clothes, iPod, shoes, DVDs and other electronic equipment. This is so frustrating!

British Airways lost my luggage 2 months ago and now I'm getting the run-around. What can I do now?
FOR LOST LUGGAGE:





If the airline actually loses your bags, make sure you get a written claim for damages. This may require a different form than the original "missing luggage" form. This can be done at the airport or by mail.





For international flights, the limit is $9.07 per pound (or $20 per kilogram) for checked baggage, and $400 per person for carry-ons. You may need to produce receipts. If you have them, include copies in any documentation you send to the airline. You can purchase "excess valuation" protection if your checked baggage is worth more than these limits.








If all else fails be sure to file a complaint immediately. If you still can't get satisfaction, or feel the need to report the airline, write or call:





DOT Aviation Consumer Protection


400 Seventh Street, S.W. #4107


Washington D.C., 20590


Telephone: (202) 366-4000.


Website: http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/





Good luck and I hope you get the resolution that you are wanting!
Reply:get an inventory of all your lost items





read up on passenger rights and the warsaw convention





keep all correspendence and notes of telephone calls





seek legal advice and let BA know you are doing so
Reply:Send them a bill for the lost items (double the value). I have seen bags appear immediately.


I think they might have a standard amount they pay per lost bag unless you declare the value to be higher.
Reply:I can't believe the last three answers. I was in Heathrow during the same fog and British Airways lost my and my wife's luggage. In addition, they refused to take us to our paid destination of Rome, Italy during the Christmas holiday.





Forget about waiting for them to call you or help find your baggage. They are doing it on purpose. Search the web and you will see that they have had issues with their labor union and did not have any staff to process our bags before the storm. They lost 10,000 bags before the storm ever arrived.





We tried calling and going through all their hoops. That ended last month when we filed two small claims lawsuits totaling $9500.00 in La County. Guess what? British Airways finally called us after two months of waiting, two days before the trial. The problem is, when I said I just want my bags and not any money, they made no effort to look for them even at this late stage. We are in court Monday, March 5, 2007.





I suggest you spend the $25.00 filing fee and file a suit in the county where you boarded the airline. All you do is find out the name of the serving agent for British Airways in your area. They are there to receive the summons and required to do so when any US citizen travels via a foreign tour or transportation agency.





As far as what they claim they are responsible for, remember it is no different then the coat girl's sign that says "we are not responsible for items left here". Truth be told, when you file suit, they are fully responsible for whatever the judge thinks is fare. They only called us today so that British Airways can claim that they tried to resolve this matter out of court. What the airline claims is their responsibility are only guidlines mandated by the EU due to their repeated mistreatment of travelers and their personal belongings. You are entitled to whatever British Airways actually cost you in lost luggage, lost hotels, added travel expenses and everything else. Our loss claim of $9500.00 (not the exact number in the claim) is accurate to the penny and fully documented.





Richard H
Reply:Your best bet is to claim off of your insurance if you want companesation. They can take it up with British Airways if they want.





If you want British Airways to make more effort on locating your bags ( which are possibly gone for ever ), escalate your enquiry by phone to someone who shows genuine interest in your matter. First a supervisor, then a manager and make sure you deal with them personally - speak to them by name - this makes a difference.





You can get the number by ringing reservations or going to a BA office.





Once you are satisfied that all has been done , then i guess it's genuinely an insurance job. Airlines do have an obligation to pay you compensation for lost luggage as set out in their terms and conditions, but they do limit their liability



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