Hi everyone. I didn't join this forum to praise anyone. I just needed so desperately to vent and I was hoping to get some advice. I have been waiting 6 days for my "delayed" luggage from Delta and I am literally in tears everyday when they tell me they still "tracing" it. I mean really! All my beautiful, expensive clothes are in there!!! How am I suppose to travel. I am currently on a cruise ship; my husband works on it and I join him on all his contracts so I've packed for 4 months, not a week. I am absolutely devastated!! I swear I wil not leave this? my clothes are worth alot! how much can I expect to get back from Delta for a 24kg suitcase full of designer clothes?

First of all, grammar is fairly important.

Secondly, the folks who browse this forum (minus the random employee) are folks who are frequent fliers and can answer this question only with anecdotal stories. Your best bet is to contact customer care from delta.com/baggage as is written on your red envelope. They will let you know exactly what Delta will do for you and what the liability is in terms of baggage. I do not know what the limit is, however, unless you claimed this prior to checking your bag, I do not know how much they will give over that.

zz

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Good luck, and lets hope Delta gets the bag reunited with you.

Unfortunantly, unless you declared a higher value when you checked the bag, I'm afraid you might not have much luck at getting the full value of the bag's contents. I'd still try, however, you never know what kind of offer you might get.


Good luck.


FROM DELTA.COM
Declaring Baggage Value
Liability for loss, delay or damage to baggage will be limited unless a higher valuation for checked baggage has been declared and additional charges paid at check-in (see below).

Domestic Liability Limit: $3,300 per ticketed passenger.
International Liability Limit (governed by the Warsaw Convention): $9.07 per lb. up to $640 per bag (U.S. Dollars).
International Liability Limit (governed by the Montreal Convention): 1000 SDR (Special Drawing Rights) per ticketed passenger.
SDR (Special Drawing Rights) is an International Monetary Fund unit of currency. SDR's will be converted to U.S. Dollars using the rate in effect on the mishandled baggage settlement date.

We also trust you will understand that luggage is designed to protect its contents. In the course of normal handling your luggage may show evidence of wear and tear. Delta assumes no liability for minor cuts, scratches, and dents, or for items that protrude from luggage, such as retractable handles, wheels and luggage feet.

Baggage liability restrictions and exceptions:

Maximum liability is not automatic�damage or loss value must be proven.
No maximum liability applies to wheelchairs or assistive devices.
Delta is not liable for unsuitably packed items.
Delta is not liable for loss, damage, or delay of baggage that may result from a security search conducted by any local, state, or federal agency.
All items on which excess value is declared may be inspected by the check-in agent.

See Delta's Contract of Carriage for complete Baggage Liability rules.

Excess Valuation
Delta Air Lines is not liable for checked or unchecked baggage in excess of the limits described above unless:

You declare a higher value.
The declared value does not exceed $5,000.
The item is properly described, properly packaged and undamaged.
You pay an excess value fee at check-in.
The excess valuation charge is applicable only when the declared value is greater than the applicable liability limit.

Domestic Excess Valuation Charges
(Continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands)

Total Amount of Declared Value Fee Paid at Check-In
$3300.01 to $4000.00 $40.00
$4000.01 to $5000.00 $50.00


International Excess Valuation Charges
(Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa)

Total Amount of Declared Value Fee Paid at Check-In
up to $1000.00 $10.00
$1000.01 to $2000.00 $20.00
$2000.01 to $3000.00 $30.00
$3000.01 to $4000.00 $40.00
$4000.01 to $5000.00 $50.00


Delta is not responsible or liable for cash, camera equipment, commercial effects, computer software and equipment, electronic equipment, fragile articles, jewelry, lifesaving medication, negotiable papers, irreplaceable business documents, works of art or other similar valuable items contained in checked or unchecked baggage. These items should be carried by the passenger.

Delta will only collect excess valuation for declared baggage from your point of origin to:

A Delta destination.
The first Delta stopover.
To your point of transfer to another carrier.
You must re-declare and pay the applicable charges each time you check your excess baggage.

Welcome to FlyerTalk.

As was suggested, your starting point is to call Delta. If your flight was domestic the limits are higher.

Now limits are limits. You will need to prove your loss. That means listing what you had, what each item cost and its age. Delta may ask for receipts. Delta will want to pay depreciated costs not replacement costs.

If you have homeowners type coverage, it may be some help as might trip insurance.

See what delta will do for replacement items. It may cover some limited costs for replacement items.

Note time limits for written claims:

Time Limitation for Baggage Claims
Domestic

Any claim for delay, loss, damage to baggage is barred unless notice of the claim is presented to Delta within 24 hours after the occurrence of the events giving rise to the claim, and written notice is received by Delta within 21 days of the occurrence. Any action must be commenced within one year after the occurrence.
International

Any claim for delay, loss or damage to baggage is barred unless notice of the claim is presented in writing to Delta within seven days (in the case of damage) or 21 days (in the case of delay or loss) after the occurrence of the events giving rise to the claim. Any action must be commenced within two years after the occurrence.