Hmmm... the "authorization" I received was the voice on the other end of the baggage incident report line telling me that purchases up to $50 would be reimbursed by following the stated procedure above, but there was no "authorization number" or any such official thing offered. It sounded at the time more like S.O.P. for delayed baggage.

One thing I am NOT sure about is, if it's another passenger's fault (not really the airline's in this case), do they still honor the reimbursement for essentials?