How to Get Edelweiss Air to Compensate You for Delayed, Lost & Damaged Luggage
It seems that even with advanced airline and airport technology, passengers’ checked baggage still gets lost and damaged from time to time. If this has happened to you after an Edelweiss Air flight, you’re owed compensation. To get it, you’ll need to follow specific instructions or the airline could refuse your claim altogether.
What to Do if Your Baggage is Delayed or Lost
Believe it or not, most baggage issues are resolved within a few days, so if you arrive and your bags don’t, then you’ll need to take the following steps to report the situation to Edelweiss. Also, the carrier will only deem your items lost after they have been missing for 21 days. Until that time, they’ll be referred to as ‘delayed’.
Claim up to approx. $2,080 if Edelweiss lost your baggage
Take These Steps for Baggage Delays
- Report your lost baggage at the airport. Skipping this vital step could mean that your compensation claim will be rejected.
- Report your baggage delay on the airline’s website if you don’t do it at the airport, but be sure to do this as soon as possible.
- Keep a copy of the report and the number. The report you fill out is called a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This document is very important because it proves that you notified Edelweiss of your baggage problem immediately, giving them a chance to locate it and return it to you.
- Wait for Edelweiss to contact you about the status of your lost baggage and provide you with delivery details.
- If you’re still waiting after 5 days, you’ll need to provide the airline with a few more details about your belongings to help them locate it.
Will Edelweiss Reimburse You for Essential Purchases?
Edelweiss will reimburse you for any expenses you have to make to replace the clothing and toiletries that were in your suitcase. But buy with caution because typically they’ll only reimburse you for truly essential items and sometimes they will only do this if you’re away from home when your baggage is lost.
As well, be sure to keep track of all your receipts because you’ll need them to support your case if you file a compensation claim.
Once your baggage is returned, you can submit a claim for these expenses, or if your baggage is considered officially lost (after 21 days) you can add these receipts to your baggage claim.
Here’s a TripAdvisor review that illustrates how important it is to retain your receipts for essential purchases:
Edelweiss lost my suitcase and returned it after a bit less than 3 days! Nonetheless I did not get a penny to compensate for my purchases as I didn’t keep the receipts! I landed with a handbag with only my wallet in it and had to buy absolutely everything starting from a bikini, flip flops, socks, underwear and a few basic clothes as well as make up and all hygiene items. The best they could offer me is to contact my private holiday insurance company because they are not able to help me. Edita, April 2019 - TripAdvisor
What if Edelweiss Damages Your Baggage?
So your checked baggage has been damaged. Now what? First, you need to take the following steps:
- Make a damaged baggage report immediately before you leave the airport. Do this at the baggage reclaim area at the airport.
- If you’ve already left the airport, then you can still make your report on the Edelweiss website up to 7 days after your flight. If you miss this deadline, your claim will be denied.
- Take photos of the damaged items so you can back up your claim.
- Keep a copy of the Property Irregularity Report you complete.
- Buy anything you need to replace what was damaged. And again, keep your receipts and as many details about the damage to support your claim.
After you make a report, you have 7 days to file a claim for baggage compensation.
Also, if your suitcase was damaged, the airline might have it repaired for you or ask that you have it repaired yourself. They might also ask you to get an estimate and evaluation from a luggage repair shop before agreeing to pay for the repair.
If TSA Damages Your Bags
If the TSA damages your luggage you’ll know because you’ll see a notice inside your suitcase or a seal attached to the outside of your bags. Edelweiss is not responsible for damage caused by the TSA.
Contact the TSA for more info by calling 866-289-9673.
How to Submit an Edelweiss Baggage Claim
Even though you are legally owed as much as around $2,080 for baggage mishandling, this compensation isn’t automatic. You will have to organize your travel documents and submit a claim with Edelweiss.
Here’s what you need to do:
To make your claim, go to the claims page on the Edelweiss Air site. You will need your PIR number and the receipts from any essential purchases you had to make. You will also need your flight/booking information and a government issued identity card.
When Will You Get Your Money?
It can take a few weeks to a few months to receive your compensation payout from Edelweiss, but it depends on your situation and the case complexity. However, don’t be afraid to follow up on your case. If you do, document the time, date and person you spoke with as this information could help you later if you need to escalate your claim to the US Department of Transportation.
How Much Edelweiss Lost Baggage Compensation Can You Get
As per the rules of the Montreal Convention, Edelweiss Air is required to compensate you up to roughly $2,080 for your damaged, delayed, and lost baggage. Be advised that even though the airline is required to compensate you, they won’t do so automatically.
In order to get the compensation as you’re owed, you must file your report and claim within the proper time limits, or your claim could be denied.
Claim with AirAdvisor and get compensation you deserveDon’t let Edelweiss Air get away with it.Start your claim
What Law Protects Your Baggage Rights?
You might already be aware of air passenger rights regulations like EU261, but there is another regulation called the Montreal Convention that protects your baggage on international flights.
This international treaty was signed in 1999 and states that airlines must compensate passengers for baggage mishandling up to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).
An SDR is a combined value of several different currencies which currently equals approximately $2,080.
Author:
Joanna Teljeur
Job/Position: Editor, Senior Writer
Joanna is a writer, editor, and consumer rights advocate.
Damaged or lost baggage?
Compensation can be as much as $2,080 (€1,920) if your checked bags were mishandled.
