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Understanding Your Rights as a Customer: How U.S. DoT Regulations Safeguard Your Luggage
You have rights as a customer when it comes to your luggage on a flight. Airlines are required by U.S. Department of Transportation regulations to compensate passengers for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage.
IF YOUR LUGGAGE IS LOST:
You are entitled to a complete refund of any airline baggage fees you paid if your luggage is lost. The airline is also liable for paying you compensation up to the $3,800 liability cap. The airline might demand documentation, like a receipt, as proof that you lost valuables.
IF YOUR LUGGAGE IS DAMAGED:
Under certain conditions, the airline is responsible for replacing or compensating you for damaged baggage. For instance, if a bag is damaged during a flight, the airline is required to pay for repairs or replace the bag. A bag's wheels, handles, and straps may also be harmed by an airline. If an airline is unable to fix a bag, it must negotiate compensation with the customer. However, airlines are not liable for pre-existing damage to a bag or for items that break inside the bag as a result of improper packing by a passenger. The majority of airlines don't have to pay for broken electronics, perishables, or fragile items.
This rule changes between domestic and international flights. Airlines aren’t required to compensate domestic passengers for damage to items in their contracts of carriage. However, airlines are responsible for items belonging to international passengers.
IF YOUR LUGGAGE IS DELAYED:
If your baggage is delayed, the airline is responsible for tracking and locating it. Some companies provide phone applications or online resources to help customers locate delayed baggage. Customers, like lost baggage, are entitled to up to $3,800 in reimbursement for expenses incurred as a result of a baggage delay. According to the Department, airlines cannot set an arbitrary daily amount for however long your baggage is lost.
To sum up, as a customer, you have rights regarding your luggage on a flight. Airlines are responsible for compensating you in the event that your baggage is lost, delayed, or damaged, and they must negotiate a compensation fee for damaged baggage. You can file a claim with the airline if your checked bags are lost or delayed. If your suitcase is delayed, the airline is subject to liability.