Air Canada delayed baggage compensation.
What is the potential compensation? What are the regulations?
Experiencing a delay in receiving your baggage can be a disappointing start or end to your journey. This hassle is a common downside of flying – your baggage might be misplaced or it may not have made it onto your flight in time. No matter the cause, dealing with delayed baggage is far from enjoyable.
What to do if your baggage is delayed or even lost?
What to Do If Your Luggage Is Delayed or Lost?
What steps should you take if your baggage is delayed or missing?
The first and most crucial step is to report the delayed or missing baggage promptly.
As soon as you recognize that your baggage hasn’t arrived, make this known to the assistance desk at the baggage claim area. To report a lost bag, you should have your passport, boarding pass, and baggage tag (typically a sticker attached to your boarding pass at check-in). A picture of your suitcase could speed up the process but it isn’t a requirement. Even if all you have are your passport and boarding pass, you can still file a lost baggage report.
The airport personnel will note down your contact details and provide you with a Property Irregularity Report or PIR with a reference number for tracking. Ensure you keep this document safe.
When your baggage is delayed, it is typically found in a day. Once your suitcase is located, the airline will reach out to organize a suitable delivery time.
Tracking Your Lost Baggage
You were issued a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport, which has a reference number. This number is essential for tracking your luggage, so make sure to keep it safe.
To monitor the status of your missing items, use the airline’s online baggage tracking system. You’ll receive these details when you report your lost bag. You’ll need to provide some basic information such as your name and the PIR number to take advantage of this baggage tracker.
Remember, your baggage tag number and your PIR number are not the same.
Air Canada Delayed Baggage Compensation
What should you do when your baggage is delayed?
Could you be eligible for Air Canada delayed baggage compensation?
Baggage Delayed For 5+ Days
If your delayed baggage remains undiscovered five days after reporting it, reach out to the airline to offer a comprehensive description of the item and what it contains. This can be done by completing the contents list on the airline’s baggage status page, which becomes accessible five days after you’ve reported the delay.
Click here for more information.
Reimbursement of Expenses
Keep in mind that delayed baggage compensation means reimbursement of expenses in case of baggage delay.
Don’t forget, that you can be reimbursed for necessities such as toiletries, underwear, and vital clothing if your baggage is lost or delayed. However, remember to retain the receipts for these items as they will be necessary for making a claim. Only items of necessity are subject to reimbursement.
Claims must be submitted within 21 days from the date the lost baggage is retrieved.
This reimbursement is termed “delayed baggage compensation”.
Lost Baggage (You Can Get Compensation)
Air Canada has a 21-day window to find and return your baggage.
If your delayed baggage isn’t located within those 21 days, it’s deemed officially lost. When this happens, you have the right to submit a claim for compensation to the airline. You could be eligible for compensation up to €1300.
Please be aware that it’s not advisable to pack electronics, art, jewellery, etc., in checked baggage, as Air Canada (or any other airline) isn’t responsible for compensating the full value of such items, only to the level determined by the Montreal Convention and its Conditions of Carriage.
To make a claim, you’ll need to submit your boarding pass, baggage tags, and the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with your reference number. If you’ve incurred any extra costs whilst waiting for your baggage, you can submit a claim by providing receipts for your purchases.
Is Travel Insurance Necessary
Is travel insurance required to receive Air Canada delayed baggage compensation?
No. You do not need insurance to file a compensation claim. However, it is strongly advised that you get travel insurance before your trip.
Travel insurance provides a safety net for unexpected issues, assisting in handling most outcomes and ensuring a more enjoyable trip. With many policies being reasonably priced, it’s worth considering taking out travel insurance or using a travel card that offers such coverage.
In case of lost or delayed baggage, your insurance policy might offer a refund for essential purchases, potentially bypassing the hassle of direct dealings with the airline.
It’s important to keep all receipts and to consult with your insurer before making purchases. Understanding your policy’s coverage details, including baggage delay coverage, is crucial.
Travel Prepared
Preparation is key to handling potential baggage loss or delay. An essential tip is to pack spare clothes and underwear in your carry-on bag, especially when headed to tropical destinations where weather-appropriate attire and swimwear are a must.
Also, it’s wise to carry medicines and valuable items in your carry-on as a safety measure, should your checked baggage go amiss.
What is your experience with baggage delays on Air Canada flights? Has Air Canada ever lost your baggage? Have you ever applied for “Air Canada delayed baggage compensation” (reimbursement of expenses in case of baggage delay)?
Please note that the rules for compensation for lost or delayed baggage with Air Canada are the same as those for other airlines. This is due to the Montreal Convention, which applies to the carriage of baggage on most international flights operated by Air Canada and other airlines globally.