Wizz Air Lost Baggage Compensation: How to Claim Reimbursement for Damaged & Delayed Luggage
Was your baggage lost after flying with Wizz Air? Well, according to Forbes, Wizz Air had 552 baggage mishandling complaints from passengers who traveled between 2018 and 2022. This data makes Wizz Air one of the 4 worst airlines for mishandled hold luggage.
Fortunately, as a passenger, you have a right to compensation for lost and damaged baggage. You’ll just have to pay close attention to the timeline for filing claims and making sure all your supporting documents are in order to support your case. So, let’s explore the details of filing lost baggage claims with Wizz Air.
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Key Points
- You could be reimbursed for up to approximately €1,555 for damaged, delayed, or lost baggage.
- You’re entitled to baggage compensation from Wizz Air even if you purchased Baggage Protection.
- Your passenger rights for baggage compensation are protected under the Montreal Convention.
Your Rights as a Passenger
If you've had a flight that has been delayed or canceled, or if your baggage has been damaged or lost, you have passenger rights protected under the European Regulation (EU) 261/2004 and the Montreal Convention. The Montreal Convention states passengers are entitled to baggage compensation from the airline up to the maximum liability limit of approximately €1,555.
What Causes Lost Baggage
Baggage mishandling can be attributed to a few different factors including:
- Too few baggage handlers at airports
- Human error
- Technological or mechanical issues with the plane
- Problems with conveyor belts or other airport machinery
- Outdated baggage technology
- Poor communication
Reports vs. Claims
Don’t get these two terms confused because when it comes to baggage compensation, the two have very different functions.
A report is what you file immediately when you have damaged or lost baggage. Think of it as a way to communicate the issue with the airline which gives them the opportunity to rectify the problem.
A claim is what you file after a report in order to receive compensation for your lost or damaged baggage.
Lost & Delayed Baggage Reporting
How to make a delayed or lost baggage report with Baggage Protection
If you’ve purchased Wizz Air’s Baggage Protection, and your baggage has not been delivered to the baggage reclaim area, then take the following steps:
- First make a report at the Lost and Found desk (you must do this before reporting to Blue Ribbon Bags).
- Complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with the airline agent.
- Keep a copy of your PIR number (also called a locator or file reference number).
- Contact Blue Ribbon Bags within 24 hours of your arrival to file your lost baggage report on their form.
- Once you complete the form, send an email to MBR@blueribbonbags.com and make sure you add the BRB service agreement number into the subject line.
- Before you send the email, attach your PIR information.
You can also contact Blue Ribbon by calling 917-920-9699 (toll free) 24/7.
According to the service agreement, your bags must have had a “tag number” provided to you by Wizz Air or your claim could be denied.
How to make a delayed or lost baggage report with Wizz Air
If you didn’t buy Baggage Protection, you should take the following steps as soon as you realize your luggage hasn’t arrived with you:
- Find the Lost Baggage desk before you leave the airport
- Complete the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with the agent
- Make sure you add information about the estimated value of your lost baggage
- Keep a copy of the report as well as the PIR number (or reference number) because you will need this to file a claim later.
What to do next
Once you’ve completed all the steps of reporting your delayed baggage, you will have to wait until someone contacts you.
If you have to purchase any essential items like toiletries and clothing because your baggage is missing, make sure to keep all receipts related to these purchases. You will need them to file for reimbursement.
If you’ve waited for more than 21 days since your arrival date, you can file a claim for lost baggage compensation. After 21 days, your baggage is considered officially lost.
How to File a Claim for Delayed or Lost Baggage
In order to file a claim with Wizz Air for delayed or lost baggage compensation, you will have to follow the prompts on this page.
When to file your claim
Under the rules of the Montreal Convention, you have up to 21 days to file a claim for delayed baggage, and as soon as possible AFTER 21 to file a lost baggage claim.
Timeframes for Filing Compensation Claims | |
Damaged Baggage | Within 7 days of receiving your bags |
Missing or Damaged Contents | Within 7 days of receiving your bags |
Delayed Baggage | Up to 21 days of your flight’s arrival |
Lost Baggage | AFTER 21 days of your arrival |
Documents needed for your claim
- PIR number
- Official government photo ID
- Flight number
- Bag tag information
- Photos of your baggage
- Receipts from any essential purchases
- Receipts for the contents of your lost luggage
What happens next
Wizz Air has a link that lets you access the status of your claim. It could take up to 30 days before someone will contact you. If 30 days passes and you still haven’t been contacted by the Customer Relations Team, the airline recommends that you reply to the original email thread in order to facilitate the communication.
Damaged Baggage
If you purchased the Baggage Protection package:
Unfortunately, Blue Ribbon Bags won’t cover any damages to your baggage or the contents of your luggage.
How to file a damaged baggage report with Wizz Air
If you collect your luggage and realize that it’s sustained damage, then you will need to report it immediately.
- Go to the Wizz Air Baggage office and make your report before you leave the airport
- Take photos of the damage
- Complete the Property Irregularity Report
- Keep a copy of the report and the PIR number to file a claim later
After you make a report about your damaged baggage, Wizz Air recommends that you have your luggage repaired. Be sure to get a detailed receipt when you do this so that you can file for reimbursement on their claim form.
If your baggage has been destroyed and cannot be repaired, then find a baggage repair shop and get a written letter of confirmation that your luggage is indeed unable to be fixed. Make sure the letter describes the value of your bag as well as its brand, type, and any other relevant information.
How to file a damaged baggage compensation claim with Wizz Air
In order to get reimbursed for your damaged baggage, go to the Wizz Air claim form, and file your claim within 7 days of your flight.
In their form, you will need to include the following information into their “message” field you bag’s:
- Brand
- Model
- Value
- Age
Documents you should include in your damage claim
- File reference number or PIR number
- Government issued photo ID
- Flight number, ticket receipt, or boarding pass
- Photos of the damage
- Receipts from your purchases
- Receipts for items that were part of your damaged luggage
Damaged Baggage Compensation Will not cover:
- Normally occurring wear from use
- Small cuts
- Scratches
- Damage caused by improper packing
- Damage to fragile items
- Cash
- Jewelry
- Cameras and video equipment
- Broken zippers
- Inconveniences
- Poorly made luggage
- Pre Existing damage
What to do next
You will have to wait up to 30 days to get a response from the airline. You can visit the Wizz Air site and navigate to the claims and complaints section. This will allow you to track the status of your claim and find out how to contact a customer service agent for additional info.
What is Wizz Air’s Baggage Protection Program
In 2023, Wizz Air partnered with Blue Ribbon Bags to offer a special service to their passengers. For € 2.5, you can buy a Protection Package that offers tracking services to protect you against luggage delays over 96 hours (4 days).
Blue Ribbon Bags is responsible for expediting and returning any delayed luggage. If your bag isn’t found and delivered to you within 4 days, Blue Ribbon will pay you € 300 even if your bag is eventually found after 4 days.
About Wizz Air
Founded in 2003, Wizz Air is a low-cost airline based in Budapest, Hungary. They serve all of Europe as well as certain parts of North Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East. In total, they serve 54 countries with 600 routes with no-frills flights.
At AirAdvisor we're hoping to add baggage to our claims services. While we’re working out the details, we wanted to give you as much information about the baggage claims process so you could navigate the process by yourself.
We work on a No-Win, No-Fee basis
AirAdvisor is happy to help with your claim, so you can avoid the stress of dealing with airlines and complicated laws.
People Also Ask
If I buy the Baggage Protection, am I still able to file a lost baggage claim with Wizz Air?
Yes. Whether or not you’ve purchased Baggage Protection or any other insurance, you are still covered under the rules of the Montreal Convention that says you are entitled to compensation from the airline up to approximately €1,555.
I paid for checked baggage, but I checked fewer bags than I paid for. Can I get a refund for the unused fee?
No. Baggage fees cannot be refunded.
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