Originally Posted by Mikke

I used to work for Air France, KLM and Delta baggage compensation and I would like to give some advices regarding the compensation process.
These tips are 100% accurate for KLM, Air France and Delta, as I used to work in the compensation department for them not to long ago. Other airlines may have slightly different procedures

First of all, ALWAY, ALWAYS ALWAYS keep receipts for what you buy. Let me say this again:
ALWAYS KEEP RECEIPTS FOR WHAT YOU BUY! Extremely important if you will ever bring that stuff in a check in bag when you fly
I know what you are saying -"no one ever does that...thats stupid"

Maybe, but still, according to the Montreal convention, which you agree to by buying the ticket, and airline is only responsible for the PROVEN value of the items.

Also, and airline is also NEVER responsible for more than a total of 1131 SDR (which today is about roughly 12-1300 EUR) per PERSON (so not per bag) with a checked in bag.
So if you chose to put you 2000 EUR iMac in there, or your super expensive GUCCI dress - that is YOUR problem.

Now, if the bag gets delayed (i is regarded as delayed the 21 fist days for AF, and 45 first days for KLM and DELTA), you are allowed to go out and spend necessities. Just remember to keep all invoices. You can do so from the first minute the bag is delayed, and you can also do this on your return flight home. But it MUST be dated before you receive your bag
When you call them, they will say that you are allowed to spend 100E per person involved, but that is just to make sure people dont go shopping like crazy. IF you DO have invoices for 800 Eur, you will get them covered in any case... (well, not computers or other things that should not be check in in the first place)

However, remember... IF your bag is gone more than 21 days, you are also entitled for compensation for the stuff that is missing...in addition to the necessities you needed to buy

BUT..beware - the sum the airline is responsible for is STILL 1300 EUR...So if you have invoices for 800 E for necessities, and proved values for the missing items for 1200 E, you will still only get 1300 E as this is the maximum reliability for the airline. Just so you know. In this case, I hope you have private travel insurance, as they normally will pay the amount over 1300.

COMMERCIAL GESTURES NO INVOICES
If you dont have any invoices for your necessities, you will still receive UP TO 100E.
If you dont have any invoices for the items and your bag is lost for more than 21 days, you will still receive UP TO 3-4-6-900 E, depending on the length of you travel )and if you are a Hight Contribution customer -silver-gold etc)

TIME LIMITS:
DELAYED/LOST BAGS
The delay issue must be reported to the airline at the airport,or at the very latest, within 7 days to receive a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) -how ever this is just for TRACING, and is NOT automatically enough to get compensation. In addition, you need to claim the compensation at the latest 21 days AFTER you receive you bag.
Also, if you did NOT report the delayed bag for a PIR before 7 days, you also lose your rights for compensation.
So 1: report the missing bags immediately, and 2) claim compensation before 21 days after delivery.
If the bag is still lost after 21 days, and you have a PIR, you have 2 years to make your claim

DAMAGED BAG/ITEMS/PILFERAGE
If you report this at the airport, and receive a DPR PIR, you have 2 years to make your claim. If you do NOT report it at the airport (ie you only discover the damaged at home), you have to claim it within 7 days
However, Air France, KLM and Delta also accept time limits as commercial gestures...meaning they accept also claims within the above mentioned days after returning HOME (so not from delivery of bag)
The compensation for damage is the same as with delayed/lost bags - up to 1300 EUR, but it must be proven. You NEED a DPR PIR - and a confirmation from ANY shop (not necessarily the shop you bought it from) that it cannot be repaired. so do NOT throw your damaged bag away without this first
...i guess there are many more things to...but...ask away

One more thing
If you have bought a ticket with KLM, Air France or Delta, but the last leg of the trips was with another airline, then THAT airline is responsible for all tracing and delivering of your bag - regardless of where it was lost.
This is a common rule all over the world

Also, it is the airline of the last leg of your trip - to whom it was reported - that is responsible for compensating you for the incident.
HOWEVER, as a commercial gesture, Air France, KLM and Delta also accept the compensation claim as long as it was bought with them, They are one of the very few who does this -everyone else will tell you to go to the operator of the last leg

Originally Posted by asiaFT

Hi Mikke
For online purchases, does Air France accept invoice sent via email or a page (invoice) printed from seller's website.

Read on some other forum that they do not accept digital invoices. (Only scanned copies of paper invoices)

Originally Posted by Goldorak

No idea (no experience), but I wouldn't be surprised if true. Indeed, we are talking here about purchasing things needed immediately when a bag is missing (toothpaste, toothbrush a few cosmetics, underwears, clothes needed for one or 2 days). Those are obviously purchased in a shop shortly (immediately) after arrival. Ordering on-line is raising obvious suspicions that those orders are not to fulfill immediate needs (with the delivery time).

Originally Posted by rosenkavalier

but there is also the option to order online and pick up in store…
I have the following situation: flew KL605 24/12 and luggage didn’t make it because connection from MAD was delayed…(ironic because captain of KL605 delayed departure because of late incoming luggage)
anyway, I already got an email in flight that luggage was delayed so at SFO baggage counter they said it would arrive on the 25/12…
I stupidly believed them without checking, only to find out today the there is no KL605 on the 25/12…so calling them, they have confirmed that the baggage will be loaded onto KL605 26/12…
they have told me I have a $100 limit to buy supplies for the first day without luggage but they couldn’t confirm to me for the 2nd day…I do intend to buy online and pick up in store. Do you know what is the amount they reimburse for the 2nd day? If it makes any difference it was a revenue business class ticket and I’m FB Gold.
thanks and happy holidays.

Originally Posted by canadavid

Last year in LA, I got 400€ from KL on a J ticket when i got my luggage 5 days later

Originally Posted by Goldorak

There is no amount per day. They often mention a limit of 100$ but they will reimburse more, providing you remain reasonable, buy the minimum needed, and of course you are not at home. And nowadays, it's almost impossible to comply with 100$ even with the minimum needed. the fact that you fly J and have a status also helps.

Originally Posted by mlin32

If you arrived at home, as in, your original point of departure for the round-trip ticket, it's unlikely that KLM will reimburse you, as it's expected you have all the necessities you'd need.

Like others said, there's no hard or fast limit or value per diem as long as the invoices are documented and reasonable.