Brussels Airlines delayed baggage compensation.
How much can you claim? What are the rules?
Finding yourself waiting anxiously by the baggage carousel at the airport, only to discover that your suitcase has not made it, can be an exasperating experience. Unfortunately, this is quite a frequent occurrence in air travel, where baggage can get misplaced during the journey or fail to be loaded onto your connecting flight as planned. Regardless of the cause, losing your baggage is always an unpleasant situation.
Why Does Luggage Get Delayed or Lost?
Bags can get lost or delayed due to a variety of reasons.
One common reason is that bags may get mistakenly loaded onto the wrong flight or left behind due to time constraints during the loading process. Additionally, baggage handlers may accidentally damage baggage or misplace it in a storage area. In some cases, bags may also be stolen or misplaced during the transfer process between connecting flights. It’s important to always label your bag with your contact information.
What to Do If Your Luggage Is Lost?
What to do if your baggage is delayed or lost?
If you find yourself in such unfortunate circumstance, it’s essential to understand the rules surrounding the process. Here’s what you need to do.
As soon as you realize your bag is missing, promptly report it to the baggage service desk or lost and found office. Describe your bag and show your boarding pass/passes. Providing a photo of your suitcase or any additional information can speed up the process, but it’s not necessary.
Don’t skip this first step, if you want to receive delayed baggage compensation.
The staff at the baggage service desk will provide you with a Property Irregularity Report (PIR), which serves as official documentation of the incident. This document will include a personal reference number which can be used to track your bag online.
Make sure to keep boarding passes and baggage tags or receipts provided during check-in. These will be necessary for filing your claim and establishing ownership of the lost baggage.
If your baggage goes missing, it is usually found within the first 24 hours. Once your bag is located, the airline will contact you to arrange a delivery time.
Tracking Your Lost Baggage
Upon experiencing the unfortunate incident of lost baggage at the airport, you would have received a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) containing a personal reference number. Safeguard this document as it will serve as a crucial identifier for tracking your baggage.
To stay updated on the status of your lost items, utilize the airline’s online baggage tracing system. The representatives who assisted you when you reported your lost bag will provide you with the necessary details. To access the baggage tracer, you will need to provide essential information such as your name and the PIR number assigned to your case.
It’s important to note that the number on your baggage tag is distinct from your PIR number. While the baggage tag number serves its own purpose, it is the PIR number that holds the key to monitoring the progress of your lost baggage.
Brussels Airlines Delayed Baggage Compensation
What are your rights if your baggage is delayed?
Could you be entitled to Brussels Airlines delayed baggage compensation?
Baggage Delayed For 5+ Days
In the event that your baggage remains undiscovered within five days after reporting the delay, you need to provide the airline with a comprehensive description of the missing item and its contents. To facilitate this process, complete the list of contents on the baggage status page. You will gain automatic access to this page precisely five days after reporting the delay.
Reimbursement of Expenses
In the unfortunate event of your baggage being lost, it’s important to note that you may be eligible for reimbursement of essential expenses incurred during this inconvenience. Items such as toiletries, underwear, and necessary clothing can be considered for reimbursement. However, it is crucial to retain all receipts related to these purchases, as they will be necessary when filing your claim.
Remember that only essential items are eligible for reimbursement.
The claim must be filed within 21 days from the date when the lost baggage is received.
Reimbursement for expenses if often called “delayed baggage compensation”.
Lost Baggage (You Can Get Compensation)
Brussels Airlines has 21 days to locate and return your baggage.
If it’s not returned within 21 days, it is considered lost, and you may receive up to €1300 compensation.
We would like to bring to your attention that it is not recommended to pack valuable items such as electronics, art, jewellery, etc., in your checked baggage. This advice applies not only to Brussels Airlines but also to other airlines. It is important to note that airlines are not liable to provide full compensation for the complete value of such items. The compensation is subject to the limitations set forth by the Montreal Convention and its Conditions of Carriage.
When initiating a claim, it is necessary to present several key documents. These include your boarding pass, baggage tags, and the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) containing your reference number. These documents help establish the necessary proof and documentation for your claim.
Additionally, if you incurred any supplementary expenses while waiting for your baggage, you have the option to file a claim for reimbursement. To support your claim, it is essential to provide receipts for the purchases made during this time. Keeping and providing these receipts will assist in the evaluation and processing of your claim.
Is Travel Insurance Necessary?
Do you need travel insurance?
The importance of travel insurance may vary depending on your circumstances. While it is not obligatory to provide proof of insurance when filing a claim, it is highly advisable to obtain travel insurance before embarking on your journey.
Having travel insurance can provide you with peace of mind during your travels, particularly in the face of unexpected issues. Your travel insurance provider can assist you in managing various situations, ultimately enhancing your travel experience. Additionally, certain travel insurance policies are reasonably priced, making it worthwhile to consider obtaining insurance or utilizing a travel debit/credit card that offers insurance coverage.
In the event of lost or delayed baggage that is not your fault, your travel insurance policy may entitle you to a reimbursement for essential purchases. This avenue can often be more straightforward than dealing directly with the airline.
Before making any purchases, it is crucial to reach out to your insurance provider and retain all relevant receipts. Without receipts, you may not be eligible for a refund. It is essential to inquire about the specifics of your policy’s coverage, including whether it encompasses baggage delay coverage.
While travel insurance is not compulsory, it is a wise investment that can provide you with valuable support and financial protection during unforeseen circumstances.
Travel Prepared
To ensure readiness for possible baggage loss or delay, it is recommended to pack a spare set of clothes and underwear in your carry-on bag. This is particularly crucial when traveling to tropical destinations where specific weather-appropriate clothing and swimwear are necessary.
In addition, it is advisable to keep essential medications and valuable items in your carry-on bag as a precautionary measure in case your checked baggage goes astray. By having these items with you, you can mitigate the potential inconvenience of lost or delayed baggage and ensure your immediate needs are met.
Taking these proactive steps will help you travel with peace of mind, knowing that you are prepared for any unforeseen circumstances regarding your baggage.
What is your experience with baggage delays on Brussels Airlines flights? Has Brussels Airlines ever lost your baggage? Have you ever applied for “Brussels Airlines delayed baggage compensation” (reimbursement of expenses in case of baggage delay)?
Please note that the rules for compensation for delayed or lost baggage with Brussels Airlines are the same as those for other airlines. This is due to the Montreal Convention, which applies to the carriage of baggage on most international flights operated by Brussels Airlines and other airlines globally.
Featured photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels