Just my thoughts. Extract of the Emirates "Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage" below, highlighted blue. Both the UK and UAE are signatories to the Montreal Convention.

In the future, I suggest asking a lawyer friend to prepare a short (no more than 30mins work) letter with reference to Clause 15.5.4(c) and an explicit list of items as per 16.2.1. He/She sends a hard copy on law firm letterhead (so EK take the correspondence seriously), plus an electronic copy to all relevant e-mail addresses.

You could also take a photo of your luggage with a mobile phone camera as you check-in. This may be useful as evidence and when describing the baggage to customer services.


15.5.4(c) The National Currency Equivalent of 1,131 SDRs (approximately US$1780) per Passenger, or any higher sum agreed by us pursuant to Article 15.5.5, applies to Damage to both Unchecked and Checked Baggage where the Montreal Convention applies to your carriage;

16.1.2(a) if the Damage to Checked Baggage is physical in nature you must notify us in writing within 7 Days of receipt of the Checked Baggage;

16.1.2(b) if the Damage consists of total or partial loss of Checked Baggage you must notify us in writing within 7 Days of the date the Checked Baggage arrived or should have arrived;

16.1.2(c) if you want to claim compensation from us for delay of Checked Baggage, you must notify us in writing within 21 Days from the date the Baggage was placed at your disposal.

16.2.1 All claims for compensation for Damage to Baggage must be accompanied by an itemised list identifying each affected item by description, manufacturer and age, together with proof of purchase or ownership for all such items. Proof of purchase will not be required in relation to any item which costs less than US$5 (or National Currency Equivalent), or is more than 5 years old and has a claims value of less than US$50 (or National Currency Equivalent).

16.2.2 In the case of a compensation claim concerning physical damage to Baggage, you must retain and, if requested by us, let us examine the affected Baggage so that we may assess the nature, extent and repairability of that damage.



Edit: Make sure the hard copy is sent by courier with tracking facility, so you have proof of postage and delivery within 7 days as per Clause 16.1.2(a)/(b)