Delayed baggage advice
 

First some context: I am a 1P and my partner is a 2P, we both have been at least 2P for three consecutive years. We fly mostly international, are satisfied with the quality of United's service . Yesterday we flew LAX-ORD (UA120) connecting to ORD-EZE (UA855). We arrived at the airport with plenty of time to spare, expecting that it would be a zoo (it was). We checked in four bags, all of which were tagged as PRIORITY. After having them go through x-ray, we were cleared to go and proceeded to the security area. The flight was delayed by two hours because of weather conditions at ORD.

This morning at EZE we noticed that the bags were coming out of the conveyor belt in random order (priority and non-priority mixed). After twenty minutes, three of our four bags were out. The remaining bag never showed up. When it was clear that the bag was not there, I was directed to a customer representative who informed me that the bag had NEVER LEFT LAX! They asked me for my local address and promised to deliver it to me tomorrow afternoon (24 hours from now).

Fortunately nothing in that bag is irreplaceable. However, it is quite inconvenient since I am doing business here and I have a number of necessary items (papers, cables, my phone charger, all my clothes). I can print everything out again and wear the same clothes until tomorrow. I borrowed a phone charger so my phone won't die. However, I see no excuse for a bag to never have left the airport, mostly given that the flight was long delayed. It would be more understandable if it had not made the tight connection at ORD. I am clearly forced to do extra work and spend money because of someone's incompetence. Should I ask for compensation from United? If so, what would be reasonable?

Greetings,

While not an expert in such matters, I usually buy tickets or book award travel (and pay taxes) with AMEX. AMEX has optional luggage insurance program (can't recall its name - sorry) that allows you to spend up to $600 if your luggage is delayed for a particular period of time. In fact, I had a chance to use it twice while flying internationally and my bags were delayed in Frankfurt. Just keep your receipts. Let me know if it is something you might be interested in - I will try to find links for you. As far as actual compensation from United - khm, not sure but I will be surprised if they agree to that, even for premium class members.

Regards,

Elric

Unfortunately, this stuff happens. On widebody flights like that, the bags are loaded into cargo containers and then loaded onto the plane. So lots of bags and other cargo get loaded and while the airlines are very good ensuring that passengers are matched to bags, they are not so good at making sure bags are matched to passengers. :)

UA only has one flight a day ORD-EZE and one IAD-EZE. so it will have to come down with the next day's flight. And they are bringing it to your hotel, which I admit is the least they can do (I've had to go back to the airport the one time they forgot mine). So I'd consider "3 out of 4" ain't bad and not bother writing. I am sure UA will send ya a $25 voucher or something, but these things happen so I personally wouldn't bother filing a complaint over it.

Whenever you check a bag on an outbound trip, always assume it will be delayed a day, and always carry on a bag with a change of clothes and anything else essential.

I wouldn't expect anything from United, but you may as some have indicated receive something small if you send them a polite letter of complaint.

United has only lost a bag of mine once. They got it to the airport the next day, but the darn airport bag delivery service took 20 hours to deliver it. "We should have it to you by 2pm... 6pm ... by midnight... can we leave it outside your door if we get it there at 5:00 am? etc." I would have complained to UA, but I knew it was the airport's delivery service who was at fault (AFAIK, that airport uses only one delivery service for all airlines)

Bahamasair once lost a bag of mine for days; finally got Delta to find and return it :mad: But I know better than to try to get anything from THAT awful airline. Can't believe US is talking about subbing out some of their Bahamas routes to UP as codeshares :mad:

Is this the first time this has happened to you?
 

United has delayed our luggage on at least one leg of EVERY trip that we have taken since January of 2003. (Except for the one flight where we were IDB'd and our luggage made it.) Since we live almost 50 miles from MCI, I am sure they are racking up some delivery bills for us. Get used to it. You fly United today, your luggage flies United tomorrow. One more reason ALL of our trips booked for 2005 are on award tickets so we can burn those miles and explore other loyalties.

Thanks for the advice, it all sounds reasonable. I guess I won't complain if they deliver the bag as promised. I usually pack as lightly as possible in order to avoid checking bags, unfortunately we had too much stuff this time.

Do you think it might just be you?

I have had my luggage follow me on connections to RJs where I had to sprint across the airport, and my luggage wasn't even on my plane by the one that arrive after it ( I was changed to an earlier flight so I wouldn't miss my connection at the gate). I think your statment is probably an exception rather than the rule.

united policy
 

you can view the United baggage policy at http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1037,00.html

They state that "If you are still traveling away from home United may consider up to 50% reimbursement of the necessities purchased, taking into account your ability to use the new items in the future."

So you may be able to be reimbursed for some needed items as well from United, but would have to talk with them directly, though I wouldn't expect much if your bags arrive within 24 hours.

[QUOTE=grendal_fly]Do you think it might just be you?

That is what I thought. However, we have been flying other airlines - US Air, Thai, Singapore, British Midland, Southwest, Northwest, Midwest Express, American - none of these delayed our luggage. We are always checked in for our domestic trips 2 hours ahead of time so being too late for TSA to screen the bags can't be the excuse. I too thought it must be the exception rather than the rule, but what are the odds for EVERY trip for almost two years? I fly again tomorrow so we will see if the string of bad luck might be broken.

[QUOTE=JeffP]Two hours ahead for domestic? Maybe that's your problem you are giving them too much time to misplace your luggage. Do what I do rush to the airport and while I am out of breath check them at the last possible moment (45 min priot to departure at ORD).

How many trips are you talking about? I haven't had late / lost luggage on UA this year and I have probably checked luggage about 15 times this year.

My bags took 4 days -- UA reps say submit expenses
 

I flew from LAX to SYD through SFO, Got to SYD and found out 1 of the bags was vacationing in SFO. By the time the bag and UA found me (connecting flights in Australia) it was 4 days. I shopped reasonably for needed items in Oz, and so far the phone reps say it should not be a problem for reimbursement ... we'll see...

I think there is something out there about bag being delayed for a 24 hour period. The airline is responsible for a small amount of compensation. Anyone know more about this?

There is no compensation required as far as I know. As previous posters have suggested, United will pay about 50% of "appropriate" items (i.e. items replacing those in the delayed luggage and needed immediately) purchased during the period the luggage was delayed. Note that you and United will probably have wildly differing opinions on what purchases are "appropriate."

I was :mad: last year when my bag was delayed. My destination was Spain. My bag never left SFO. UA says that for international flights, they do NOT automatically send your bag on the next available flight. Instead, the pax must first make a missing bag request (when the pax has reached his/her destination), and then UA will send the bag. I found this rule rather odd. My bag took 3+ days to reach me. It was rather interesting to look at all of the different bag tags (with times and dates), and all subsequent delays my bag had to go through before eventually getting to me. UA reimbursed me for the items I needed for 3 days.