We are STILL waiting on Oz's suitcase to arrive from last Saturday's flights. American Airlines "thinks" that the bag is in Brussels, but our optimism is waning. We have compiled an "inventory" of the contents and will be ready to make a claim with American and Travelex.

Any suggestions on submitting and pursuing a claim for lost luggage? Fortunately, (1) we do not have any experience with this problem, (2) it was better to lose the luggage on the return route than on the outbound travel, and (3) this was Oz's suitcase, NOT that of his well-dressed and professional shopping mother or sister.

Thanks in advance.

Sorry to hear you're having to deal with this, Luke. It has been our good fortune never to have lost a bag for an extended period, so I don't have any advice, but I'm betting that others will be able to provide guidance. Best of luck. On a positive note, you're probably right that it's "lucky" this isn't Paula's or Meredith's luggage. They might be a bit more upset than I suspect Oz is. :)

Yes. Can you get to an airport or to an airline office. Fill out a claim form. American will give you some immediate money to give you some form of compensation to get you some clothes and emergency supplies.

Call Travelex and deal with them on the phone and ask them how to procede. I have never dealt with them.

Luke:

I would contact the Travel insurance company immediately, and request a claims form. Then, fill it out and submit it. If you don't know the value of a lost article, put in the price of a replacement article, without regard for sales and so forth that one cannot wait for to replace lost items. I would not be "conservative" at all in the valuation of the lost articles, including the luggage itself, as that is the job of the adjuster ---- not you! I would get this going right away, as it sometimes takes several weeks to get a settlement.

Hope this helps,
Richard :eek:

YES ... Oz's bag just arrived ... "only" ten (10) days after his flight arrived. AND, it appears that all of the contents are there. Of course, who wants to pilfer the bag of a 15 year old boy after an 11-night trip?

Now to talk to American Airlines and ask for some AAdvantage Miles as compensation. Actually, I just received 6,000 free miles because I had problems with my seat on the return flight ... that's good customer service and may induce me to "fiddle" with seats in the future.

All's well that ends well.

I'm glad that the missing bag has arrived and very happy that I don't have to do that laundry!

Luke -- Great news! Happy to hear that Oz's luggage finally arrived. Hope it works out to get some extra AA miles. They sure do come in handy.

Luke - glad to hear that the bag turned up! :)

Masaki