Whatever you do, give a lot less detail. In general, I would write separately for each event: one for the delay and one for the meals. Don't mention that you paid for the ticket; it doesn't matter. For the delay, I'd actually start with www.united.com/unitedcares , because I'd be shocked if this hadn't been entered into their system automatically.

For the baggage, UA has a policy of giving a $1500 check, per passenger with checked luggage, without requiring receipts, for a baggage delay of more than 3 days at the destination. If you can show more than $1500 per passenger in direct damages (e.g., you had to replace items from your luggage), you're covered up to about $1550 -- so, in most cases, it's not worth bothering. Call or write the baggage resolution center and ask for this.


united.com/refunds . Note that their calculation of what the fare difference is may differ from yours. If you can show what the economy fare was on the day that you purchased your ticket, that will be helpful.