Delayed luggage - what to expect for compensation
 

I have a bag that has been stuck in Helsinki for almost 96 hours with no sign of it arriving back to me anytime soon. It contains perishables including medication that will likely need to be thrown away.

What should I expect in terms of compensation for delays?
(The final destination was my home base - so I assume they do not compensate for little things here and there - still good to know what I could ask for, within reason. I cannot easily replace those items as they were purchased abroad...)

As a general rule they wouldn't compensate for last leg - however I'd try to get something for the perishables, etc. as they might be considered as damaged during transit as opposed to "I needed a clean shirt and toothbrush"

I wouldn't have any expectations on compensation for a delayed bag, regardless if it is first or last leg. I waited almost 3 days for a bag in HKG (got it a few hours before proceeding to next destination) and got no compensation. (Didn't ask, wasn't offered)

Reimbursement for a claim is another thing. If you had reasonable costs replacing items you needed, I guess they will give you the money back upon presenting receipts. You need to use the feedback form.
Be prepared to wait months and months for request to process.

I had the same thing last May when flying through Helsinki. Didn't see my checked bag for 72 hours. I wasn't offered any compensation, but I didn't have anything in the bag that was perishable. At the very least, it doesn't hurt to pursue a claim.

You can add a message to AYs record of your lost luggage using the worldtracer website. That way your loss is documented. Once the luggage arrives, file a damage report to make your claim within the required margin.

Once my bags came not with me, they gave me a prepaid Visa card worth 150USD, when complaining in BKK.

On the last leg I never ever get anything from any airline (and I don t expect so).