I just arrived in NYC from LHR with UA905. When I picked up my one checked-in luggage at the carousel, I noticed one of the outer compartment's zipper was open. I didn't think much of it, closed the zipper and took a cab home.

Upon unpacking, I noticed that a paper bag containing new silverware that I bought in London for my friend was missing. I immediately assumed it was stolen. I called the Lost and Found and after giving info, I was told that some sort of paper work will be sent to me to fill out.

Has this ever happened to any of you guys? What usually happens if they can't locate the missing items? Will they reimburse me? I still have the receipt of the silverware, but what irks me the most is that I had to get out of my way to buy this for my friend, then I had to buy a new luggage to put them in (since I left JFK with only a carry on) and now this.

Aaaagggghhhh... the consequence of buying new knives and forks from London.

If silverware is not an excluded item (like jewelry, cameras, currency), you should get reimbursed eventually by UA(if you have a copy of the receipt, include it with the form). There are monetary limits, particularly for international flights (though I believe they may have been raised at some point from their prior dirt level), unless you've purchased additional insurance. If you used Amex or another credit card with casualty/loss protection to buy the silverware, you should have coverage on that. And you may also have coverage from the credit card with which you purchased the plane ticket. I'd check with all three.

Why did you not put it inside the bag. The only thing I ever put in the outside compartments is papers and magazines.

They can rifle through the interior of your bag as well, but that involves opening it, is more visible and takes more time, rendering it less likely.

I always have the opposite problem! I get home and there are all these "TSA just mollested your soul" tickets in there... I always wonder why they like me so much as to gift me with free paper, maybe I will never know.

Did I read somewhere in the lost items rules by UA in the luggage that if you have expensive items in your luggages, you should check before you leave the airport, once you leave your airport, they have no liabilities of what you have at all.

LHR (Heathrow) is colloquially known as "thief row" because theft from checked bags is so prevalent. I thought I read that they'd reduced it with video surveillance.

There is a saying in Argentina
"don�t complain if you do not complain". So I did complain.

I flew EZE-IAD-ORD-NRT-BKK in July.
Upon arriving to my hotel and unpacking in Bangkok I noticed that there were some items missing: a pair of Nike shoes, 2 Nike t-shirts, some socks and a manicure set. Roughly all items added to USD 90, so I stated that value.

Next day I went to the airport, filled a claims form, stating what was missing, indicating the approx. value of each item. I gave the form to the agent who did not collaborate very much, and asked for a copy. He wanted me to give him a receipt for the items missing as proof I had bought them. I told him that it was a bit hard for me to hand him that piece of paper in Bangkok when I had bought the items in Argentina...

October 1st I received a letter:



August 29


Dear Mr. Chejus,

Thank you for your patience while we have been searching for your missing property. We are sorry our tracing efforts have been unsuccesful, and apologize for the inconveniece this incident has caused you. Although our trace will continue, we want to resolve your claim without delay.

Our check in full payment of your claim will be mailed to you shortly.

We are continually working to determine how we can improve our service and minimize mishandling. Situations such as this are no more acceptable to us than they are to our customers. We can only assure you that your experience is not at all typical of the standards we strive to maintain.

We are sorry that we gave you reason to be dissapointed with United and are confident that your future flights will be satisfactory in every respect.

Sincerely,

Theresa Fugitt
Central Baggage Representative

Then some weeks later I got a call from United asking for my bank account since here in Argentina we can not cash checks in foreign currency. The equivalent of USD 90.- is in my account. ^

I might add that this year I became 1k (from Premier) and this may have been taken into account.

PM if you need further info.

Diego