This. Really. Sucks.
You’ve had a great trip to Venice…
you’ve got all your goodies inside your checked bags.
You’re at Heathrow.
But your bags aren’t!
Someone went on strike…Where are your bags?
*Here’s what you can do:
1) Plan A: Call your airline. Be nice!
Follow up every conversation with a letter noting the i) date, ii) time, iii) person you talked to, and iv) what your discussion was about (get very detailed). You may also follow this up with a fax or email, then print all documents and keep in your records for safekeeping. For mailed letters, a Certified Letter never hurts.
2) Has it been three (3) business days and you’ve heard nothing? Call them again. See Step # 1.
3) See Step # 2.
4) If # 1, #2, and #3, don’t get you what you need, now it’s time for Plan B. (Assume the bag is gone at this point.)
5) Plan B: Ask the airline to reimburse you for the items you had inside your suitcase/bag. [Note: They'll want some kind of proof. I suggest taking pictures of what's inside your suitcase before you leave your home and/or vacation destination. Any receipts you have of items purchased on vacation = bonus.]
6) If you get nowhere, or feel like moving directly past Plan B and on to Plan C, move to the next step.
7) Plan C: Contact the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT). CLICK HERE then CLICK HERE.
8) Now that you feel better, go back to Plan A and advise the airline (be nice!) of your recent maneuvers with DOT (details required here). See Step #2. You’ll get someone who cares, eventually. Worse case? Contact their Legal Department (because “I’m just getting nowhere with Customer Service”).
I’m guessing they’ll surprise you.
Good luck!
***********************
*Note: Some credit cards have trip insurance, and will cover lost bags.
Know your benefits with them, too.
Yeah, Baby.
Great article! My wife and I had a verry similiar problem on our honeymoon. Fortunately, they found the bag and we got it about a week later. Great article for reference….
By: jlk1211 on February 8, 2013
at 11:47 am
This is a very serious issue…really! I know it is! But oh wolf! Did I have a giggle!! I’m developing “mental anguish” at the mere thought of having to go through this procedure lol but such very fine guidelines I am yet to find anywhere else
Brilliant post 
And another great pic!!
By: europasicewolf on September 29, 2012
at 6:36 pm
Thank you so much! And thanks again for stopping by. I sure hope you don’t go through this situation!
By: AirportsMadeSimple on October 1, 2012
at 10:23 am
What an absolute nightmare scenario. Hope, hope, hope I never have to use this advice.
By: 12thsonoflama on September 29, 2012
at 12:49 pm
Yes, I sure hope not, too!
Thanks for reading and stopping by.
By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 29, 2012
at 5:35 pm
This is great fun, and useful too. Glad I found the site (and thanks for liking mine, you got me here!)
By: Joanna M. Weston on September 28, 2012
at 1:45 pm
Hi Joanna! Thank you for the kind words. Thanks for stopping by and hope to see you again soon!
By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 29, 2012
at 5:34 pm
Please tell me you’re joking … right? … If not,, thanks for the advice. I hope I never have to use it.
By: dorothymcdonall on September 28, 2012
at 8:39 am
Hi Dorothy – I sure hope it never happens to you! Granted, it may seem kind of severe, but you have to persist. I don’t want people to give up too easily. Thanks so much for your comment and for stopping by!
By: AirportsMadeSimple on September 29, 2012
at 5:34 pm