| The satisfaction derived from purchasing cheap | | | | DOT's position is that fliers purchasing necessities after |
| airplane tickets, finding discount hotel rooms, or securing | | | | they file a missing bag claim should be reimbursed vs. |
| cheap vacation packages, is quickly diminished if your | | | | having to wait to see if their bag is returned. |
| airline loses your luggage. Getting reimbursed for lost | | | | Almost 2.2 million pieces of luggage were reported |
| luggage can prove tricky. | | | | mishandled by airlines in the U.S. last year. Airlines |
| The first thing a passenger needs to do once he | | | | maximum liability for lost luggage is $3,300 for |
| discovers that his bag is lost is to go to the baggage | | | | domestic flights. The maximum for international flights |
| claim office at the airport he flew in and report the | | | | is only $640. Airlines are not required to refund |
| missing bag. | | | | checked baggage fees for lost luggage. |
| The good news is that airlines are required to | | | | Although airlines are required to reimburse for clothing, |
| reimburse travelers for clothing and toiletries as a result | | | | the amount is negotiable. Airlines typically make |
| of lost or delayed bags, according to DOT | | | | filing a claim as difficult as possible, asking you to prove |
| (Department of Transportation). The bad news is | | | | (via such things as receipts) the value of your lost |
| that reimbursement details are left up to each individual | | | | clothing. The DOT does not get involved in monitoring |
| airline. | | | | or recommending airline reimbursement rates. |
| Some carriers initially deny compensation to customer | | | | Airline customer confusion and frustration in getting |
| for purchases made within the first 24 hours followed | | | | claims paid often ultimately benefits the airline. |
| a reported loss, and/or deny claims for inbound flights | | | | Customer claims that are not followed up on by the |
| on the grounds that passengers have other clothes | | | | customer often go unreimbursed. Airlines retain the |
| they can wear already at home. Both positions, | | | | right to approve or reject any claim. |
| according to DOT, are violations of its regulations. | | | | |