Austrian Airlines Lost Baggage Compensation: How to Claim for Damaged & Delayed Bags
Was your baggage lost after flying with Austrian Airlines? The problem of baggage mishandling is more common than you might think! Even with the more advanced technology for baggage handling, luggage still gets delayed, lost, and damaged. But the good news is that if this does happen to you, Austrian Airlines is required by law to compensate you! So keep reading because we’re going to walk you through the steps you have to take in order to get compensated for lost and damaged baggage from Austrian Airlines.
Key Points
- You can claim up to approximately €1599 in compensation for Austrian Airlines lost baggage.
- The Montreal Convention governs your air passenger rights when it comes to baggage mishandling.
- Austrian Airlines will not automatically compensate you. You have to file reports and claims within specific time frames in order to win your claim.
Your Lost Baggage Rights with Austrian Airlines
As an air passenger, your rights for baggage mishandling are protected by the Montreal Convention.
Signed in 1999, this international treaty requires airlines to compensate passengers for damaged, delayed, and lost baggage up to 1,288 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).
An SDR is a combined value of different currencies that currently equals about €1,599.
Austrian Airlines Lost Baggage
So what happens when you land at your final destination only to find that your checked baggage hasn’t come through the conveyor? It’s a terrible feeling, but don’t panic. Just proceed with these steps.
What to do if Austrian AIrlines loses your baggage
In most cases lost baggage is returned within 48 hours. But while you’re still at the airport, take the following steps:
- Make a report of your missing baggage. Do not skip this step. If you do, then you might not be able to claim compensation. File your lost baggage report at the Austrian Airlines Baggage Reclaim area or on the Austrian Airlines’ site.
- Whether you make the report in person or online, you’ll be given a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number. Retain this number because you’ll need it to trace your lost baggage and file a compensation claim.
- Wait for Austrian Airlines to contact you about your lost baggage, and trace the status of your bags while you wait.
If 5 days pass and you still don’t have your luggage, then you will need to provide the airline with additional information about your baggage so they can have more information to work with in locating it.
Making Essential Purchases
If your baggage is lost, it only makes sense that you’ll need to buy clothes and toiletries, especially if you’re away from home when your bags go missing. Austrian Airlines understands this and will repay you for your expenses, just make sure you keep your receipts and limit your spending to items that are truly necessary.
When your baggage is returned, you can file a compensation claim with Austrian or if your baggage is lost (after 21 days) simply add your receipts to your lost baggage compensation claim.
Austrian Airlines Lost Baggage Compensation Claims
When to submit your lost baggage claim
The Montreal Convention says that baggage is delayed until it has been missing for 21 days. After 21 days have elapsed, it will be considered officially lost. At this point, you can submit your lost baggage compensation claim.
How to file your compensation claim
Go to the Austrian Airlines claims page. Submit your PIR number and the receipts from any essential purchases along with your flight/booking information.
After you submit your claim, you will need to wait for someone from Austrian Airlines to contact you about their decision on your claim. This can sometimes take as long as a month, so remember to be patient, but you can always follow up to ask the status of your lost baggage claim.
Austrian Airlines Damaged Baggage
When your checked baggage is damaged, then you will need to take the following steps:
- Make a damaged baggage report before you leave the airport at the baggage reclaim area. Austrian Airlines will have a Baggage Desk there.
- Sometimes you might not notice the damage until you’ve left the airport. No worries! You can make your report on the Austrian Airlines’ reporting page.
- Take photos of the damaged items so you can back up your claim.
Austrian Airlines damaged baggage compensation claims
After you report your damaged baggage, you have 7 days to submit a compensation claim. It’s important to note however, that you will not be compensated for poorly packed or fragile items or for baggage that was already damaged before your flight.
Because no definite timelines are in place for processing damaged or lost baggage claims, be prepared to wait as long as a month or longer for the decision about your compensation.
How Much Will Austrian Airlines Compensate Me
The rules of the Montreal Convention are clear in stating that Austrian Airlines is required to compensate you up to roughly €1,599 for damaged, delayed, and lost baggage.
But again, in order to get as much compensation as you’re owed, you need to file your report and compensation claim within the specific time frame listed below, or your claim could be denied.
Conclusion
The damaged and lost baggage claims process can be long and frustrating. Here at AirAdvisor, we’re planning to offer baggage compensation claim services sometime in the future.
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