FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - large checked bag Rimowa. Topas or Limbo?
Old Oct 22, 2011, 12:59 pm
  #4  
Swissaire
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,305
Good point you make for everyone travelling with new luggage.

I would add the following:

1. Always carry a copy of your original sales receipt for the new luggage, when travelling.
2. If luggage damage is found upon arrival, go immediately to the airline counter to file a claim. Be patient, polite, and be prepared to discuss your claim with the airline station manager, if needbe. You will be successful in the end.
3. Do not go your Hotel to check in, and then report the damage. Don't be in that much of a rush to delay reporting your loss. Do your reporting on the spot, in writing, at the Airport.

Remember the airline you fly on is the responsible party in this situation, not the luggage manufacturer, or the warranty you have from them.

4. Photo document the damage: Cellphone or digital camera. Take multiple photos.
5. You may be offered a replacement case from the stock of the airline airport counter. This was our experience upon arrival with LH in Frankfurt, but there was nothing available in the larger XXL size we originally had. But we did appreciate the very professional gesture from LH.

We elected to go with the cash offer ( the exact amount on our receipt ), which in the long run was better for us. LH gave us some large plastic bags for our packed clothes, which we then put into storage at the airport. We then took the tram into town ( 10 Minutes ) found what we wanted at KAUFHOF ( 30 minutes ), and returned to the airport to repack our clothes. Total time spent 1.25 hours.

We had time to then enjoy a good dinner at the Sheraton airport, followed by our original connecting flight back later to Geneve. The replacement XXL Silver Integra has since logged many transatlantic flight miles.
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