We went out from Manchester on the 1st.September . One of our cases took another 50 hours to arrive in CT.

On our return on the 15th.September,one of our cases went missing again. It was found an hour later on the Palma/Majorca carousel at Manchester !

Is this just a Manchester problem ?

The compensation for the delayed luggage is also a real con/rigmarole. Not worth pursuing IMHO.

So there doesn't seem to be any 'punishment' for these mistakes by baggage handlers. This could certainly put people off flying.

Your travel insurers may assist with purchasing emergency supplies on the outward leg, depending on the delay. I know that ours did, when the luggage was 24 hrs late and we had to purchase swimming gear, sun protection lotion and clothes for children.

This is the official version: Not good i´m afraid.

If my luggage is lost or delayed, what are my rights?
Whether your luggage is lost or delayed, the legislation covering this situation is the Montreal Convention. Under this Convention, the liability of the airline in the event of lost or delayed luggage is limited to 1,000 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) per passenger. The value of a SDR will vary each day and is linked to exchange rates. To give an idea of its value, 1 SDR equalled approximately €1.15 on the 17th January 2007.

If your luggage is delayed for less than twenty one days, it is important to be aware that there are no set regulations stating the compensation payments for delayed luggage. Most airlines take the view that once your bag has turned up you will have future use of the contents and refuse to make any compensation payments.

Some airlines offer immediate one-off cash payments at a set amount to cover emergency purchases until the delayed bag is delivered. Others will pay a set amount per day, up to a maximum number of days.

Other airlines do not make immediate cash payments, but prefer to reimburse a passenger’s expenditure on essential purchases and will often therefore insist on seeing receipts.

If your bag has still not been returned to you more than 21 days after your flight, the airline should treat it as lost and settle your claim on that basis.



What if the luggage is lost?
The Montreal Convention requires airlines to treat a bag as lost after twenty-one days. In assessing your claim, an airline may request an inventory of the items that were in the missing bag, and may also ask for original receipts.

Bearing in mind that the maximum liability of the airline will be 1,000SDRs, be prepared that the offer of compensation from the airline will be unlikely to match your claim in full. You will almost certainly find that your claim is reduced because of depreciation.



Is it possible to make a claim on my home or travel insurance?
You may find you can get a better settlement from your travel or home contents insurance even after allowing for any excess on the policy.

Your insurer will want evidence of the loss or damage. This may mean making a reportto the local police, which should be done within 24 hours, if possible. If you have to replace any essential items that are lost, for example toiletries or clothing, make sure you ask for receipts, as you will probably need to provide your insurer with copies. Ask for receipts for any essential services that you need to pay for as well.