Hey Stizzack,
Welcome to Iberia Oro, hope you enjoy uniquely benefits like fast track/kids lounge guesting and free parking...
Reality is that a non-status J pax (paid or redemption) doesn't mean much to IB. They will send the bags, when they get round to clearing the back log, according to the WorldTracer address. Meanwhile, you shop (reasonable) and IB pays. If you have mission-critical stuff, have them in your hand luggage (make sure below 10kg in case A350, but u have 2x pieces for longhaul biz). Other non critical stuff, you just have to assume they might not arrive; if they arrive good, if not, free shopping also good.
This is the mindset you have to take if you want a happy checked-bags life with IB. FT will tell you to go HBO.
If you are Platino or associated with an organisation IB considers important, IB staff in MAD will personally hunt for your bag or tell the local station (assistant) manager to go hunt for your bags and then RUSH it over to you.
If you are mere mortal, but you keep calling IB, they will start over promising and actually FUBAR the process (the ripped off tags, maybe).
An analogy is if at restaurant, a non VIP orders ALC steak (not Menu de Dia steak), but the steak is cooked wrong, you send it back, they will recook it, if during that time you keep chasing them, at some point the waiter is just gonna nuke it in the microwave.
If you just relax and enjoy your drink, your recooked steak will arrive (properly cooked) and they will comp your dessert/wine.
Thus, I would have just left the bags in MAD (or even send them back to ALC), and enjoy your (shopping) trip. I wouldn't have sent them to DFW as even if bags get there, you'll have to spend time getting them back and stuff might be stolen.
Originally Posted by
Stizzack
Well, unbelievably this is what happened. We are back at home in Spain now with our two bags.
Bag 1: After our return to DFW from SAN on day 4 since bags lost, we were told by the IB agents that neither of our bags were there, despite the affirmations that they were sent on the IB363 two days earlier. We insisted that they show us the bag room, and found one of the suitcases there. It had neither bag tag nor bar code sticker but was logged the same day as our original flight. Even having the exact description of the Delsey bag, there was no reach out to us about the bag being there.
Bag 2: Before leaving on the return to MAD yesterday, I insisted again to enter the bag room to make sure that I would not have the laughable situation of returning to Spain whilst my bag had arrived in DFW. During our long layover in MAD, we again insisted (over 45 minutes) that a search was made for my bag. To our relief, it was found, again without tag or sticker.
Not sure what the odds are of two bags having tags and barcode stickers "fall off" without manual intervention. The communication with Iberia was despicable. From day one, it was only lies (we have documented all of the written lies about the both bags being located in MAD, sent on IB363 on 5 sep, then on 6 sep) They had no idea where either of the bags were, but insisted on creating the scenario that it was under control. Had we not spent literally hours of our time and been so persistent, we probably would not have either bag at this time.
I am very disappointed at the treatment, attitude, and lies by Iberias staff and plan to escalate to the fullest. Just got my mail now about becoming IB Oro. This event makes me question any future loyalty to them, although we are a bit handcuffed being based in Spain.
Today, we begin the claim process and hope to have not only our expenses reimbursed, but further compensation for the actions.