Have you had delayed or lost luggage while traveling with Vueling? While this airline ranked number 9 on our Best European Airlines, baggage mishandling is still a common problem for EU passengers. In fact, a recent report by SITA found that Europe had by far the highest rate of baggage mishandling when compared to North America and Asia.
But take heart, because you are entitled to compensation for damaged, delayed, and lost luggage. Just make sure you file your report and claim with the right information and within specified time frames. Let’s take a look at the steps you’ll need to take to submit lost luggage claims with Vueling.
As of October 2024, the Montreal Convention increased baggage compensation from €1,600 to €1,920. So, your checked bags just got an upgrade in protection!
Key Points
- You could be reimbursed for up to approximately €1920 for damaged, delayed, or lost baggage.
- Your lost luggage compensation rights are covered under the laws of the Montreal Convention.
- In order to be compensated, you have to file your claim within a certain timeframe or your claim could be denied.
Your Rights as a Vueling Passenger
As a Vueling passenger, your rights are covered under the rules of European Regulation (EU) 261/2004 for flight delays and cancellations and the Montreal Convention for baggage mishandling issues.
The Montreal Convention has set a maximum liability amount for airline baggage compensation that is currently 1,519 Special Drawing Rights - a combined value of different currencies that equals roughly €1,920.
What Causes Lost Baggage
Lost and delayed luggage can be a result of any of the following:
- Not enough baggage handlers
- Mechanical problems with the plane
- Conveyor belt or machinery malfunction
- Old baggage handling technology
Reports vs. Claims
While many people tend to use these terms interchangeably, it’s important to know how these terms are defined for baggage mishandling issues.
- A report: This is what you file first when you realize there is a problem with your luggage. This is completed before you leave the airport.
- A claim: This is what you submit after a report is filed. You make a claim in order to receive compensation for your delayed, damaged, or lost luggage.
Lost & Delayed Baggage Reporting
How to make a delayed or lost baggage report with Vueling
If your luggage doesn’t reach your final destination when you do, take the following steps to make a report:
- Find the Lost and Found desk in the baggage reclaim area before leaving the airport
- Ask an agent to help you file a lost luggage report
- You’ll be given something called a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) that you should fill out completely
- Keep a copy of your PIR and the PIR number or code. You’ll need this to trace your luggage and file a claim later on.
What to do next
Vueling tries to return lost luggage to you within a 24-hour period. They add that, in most cases, baggage is returned to you within 72 hours.
Someone from the airline will contact you by SMS or phone to tell you when your baggage has been found. Then, they will send it to you using the address you listed in the PIR. If, for some reason, you need to change the delivery address, you can change it here.
While you’re waiting for someone to contact you, you can always track your baggage on the WorldTracer site.
If more than 21 days have passed, you can begin the claim process for lost luggage compensation. The Montreal Convention considers baggage officially lost if it hasn’t been delivered to you after 21 days.
Essential Purchases
You might have to buy a few essentials while your luggage is missing, especially if you’re away from home. If you do make any purchases for hygiene products or replacement clothing, remember to keep copies of the receipts. You can submit these for reimbursement by Vueling once your luggage has been delivered or within 21 days from the time the PIR was opened.
No clothes, no toiletries, no essentials...If Vueling lost or delayed your baggage, they owe you.Start your claim today
How to File a Claim for Lost Baggage and Essentials
To file a compensation claim for your lost luggage, submit all your supporting documents to the appropriate form on the Vueling site.
When to file your claim
If your luggage has been missing for more than 21 days, you can begin the claim process for lost luggage compensation.
If your luggage was returned to you and you want to be reimbursed for any essential purchases you had to make, then you have up to 21 days to file your claim.
Documents needed for your claim
- Your Property Irregularity Report (PIR) and code
- Your official photo identity document like a passport
- Bag tag (luggage check tag)
- Your boarding pass
- Receipts for any items you had to buy
- Your bank details
What happens next
Wait for Vueling to issue your compensation payout that will be sent directly to your bank account.
Damaged Baggage
How to file a damaged baggage report with Vueling
If you collect your luggage and notice that it has been damaged, then you should take the following steps while you’re still at the airport:
- Find the Vueling Lost and Found desk
- Complete the Property Irregularity Report (PIR)
- Take photos of the damage
- Keep track of your PIR number
- Collect any receipts for essential purchases you had to make as a result of the damage
After you make a report, you can file a claim with Vueling for compensation within 7 days of collecting your baggage.
How to file a damaged baggage compensation claim with Vueling
Go to the Vueling site and complete their compensation form. Don’t forget to add the following information:
- The details from your PIR
- The damaged luggage’s Bag Tag
- Your flight itinerary and boarding pass
- A copy of your official government photo ID
- Your bank information
Vueling will not cover:
- Signs of normal use including scratches, scuffs, small cuts
- Damage caused from over or improper packing
- Damage caused because of poorly made luggage
What to do next
At this point, you just have to wait for Vueling to deposit your compensation into your bank. You can also log into your claim to check the status by visiting the Manage Claims section of their site.
About Vueling
As Spain’s biggest airline, Vueling travels to 122 cities in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. They’ve been offering low-cost flights to passengers since 2004, and are based in Barcelona, Spain.
Conclusion
Baggage mishandling might be a fairly common problem with European airlines, but you do have some peace of mind knowing that you’re entitled to compensation.
You don’t have to grin and bear itIf the airline lost your baggage, you deserve to be compensated.
Start your claim today
People Also Ask
If you left any of your belongings on board, contact Vueling. They will hold it or contact you if they find it. Otherwise, you should visit or contact the Lost and Found Office at the airport where you landed.
Passports and any other ID documents will be given to airport officials. So, you should contact Vueling and ask them where you can find your missing documents.
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