Wizz Air delayed baggage compensation.
Could you be entitled to it? What are the airline baggage rules?
You have arrived but your baggage hasn’t, sounds familiar? Dealing with delayed luggage is one of the most frustrating sides of air travel. Maybe it got lost somewhere at the airport, or the staff simply didn’t manage to load your baggage on a plane in time. Whatever the reason, losing baggage is never fun. What to do if your baggage hasn’t arrived? How to claim EU delayed baggage compensation?
Learn how to make baggage delay claim yourself!
What to Do if Your Luggage Is Lost?
What to do if your luggage hasn’t arrived with you?
If there’s no luggage, don’t leave the baggage reclaim area (baggage hall). Try to find Baggage Service Office. Usually, it is located at the baggage hall next to the baggage carousels. This is where you can report the loss of your baggage. Find the office and make a report.
You’ll need to show your passport, baggage tag and boarding pass. A baggage tag is that sticker that the staff at the check-in counter put on your boarding pass after you’ve checked in your baggage. Besides all of this, it is recommended to provide a description of your suitcase/bag. It will make the process of finding your baggage easier and faster.
Wizz Air will ask you to fill out a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). You will be issued a copy of PIR with a personal reference number. Don’t lose it. You will be told what to do next. In most cases, you’ll have to wait 12 – 24 hours until the airline will contact you to arrange delivery.
Tracking Your Lost Wizz Baggage
The PIR you were given at the airport has a personal reference number on it. You can use this personal reference number to track the progress of your baggage online. Once Wizz Air personnel have found your baggage, they will let you know.
Wizz Air Delayed Baggage Compensation, EU Regulations
What are your rights if your baggage is delayed?
Could you be entitled to delayed baggage compensation from Wizz Air? In short, no, you can’t get compensation for delayed baggage, there’s no such thing as late baggage compensation. At the same time, you will be entitled to compensation if the luggage never arrives or is damaged — there are specific rules regarding that.
Reimbursement of Expenses
Let’s imagine that your baggage is delayed.
And because of that, you need to buy extra items at your destination. If your baggage is lost, and you have to replace essential items, you are entitled to reimbursement for your expenses. Sometimes travellers refer to it as delayed baggage compensation or EU baggage delay compensation.
What exactly are the “essential items”? Those are the things that were in your delayed luggage that you can’t manage without, such as toiletries, underwear, essential clothes and footwear. Don’t forget that in order to get reimbursed, you’ll need to keep the receipts of all the items you buy. When you file the claim for expenses, you’ll need to provide these receipts.
Also, don’t forget that there is a 3-week time limit. You can file a claim for reimbursement within 21 days of getting back your lost baggage.
Lost Baggage (You Can Get Compensation)
Wizz Air has to locate and return your baggage within 21 days.
If your luggage is not found within 21 days, it’s considered lost, and Wizz Air will be liable for loss. In this case, you’re entitled to lost baggage compensation of up to €1300. In order to receive this compensation, you’ll have to provide a list of things you had in your bag. Please note that it’s not advised to carry electronics, art, jewellery, important documents, money and other valuable things in checked baggage. Neither Wizz Air nor almost any other airline in the world will compensate the full value of such items — only to the extent defined by the Montreal Convention and the airline’s Conditions of Carriage (in this case, Wizz Air baggage rules).
You’ll also have to provide your boarding pass and baggage tags you were given when you checked in your luggage and Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with your reference number.
In addition to that, you can get reimbursed for expenses. If you have had to buy any necessary items while waiting for your delayed bag, file a claim for additional expenses. Keep in mind that you have to provide receipts for all the purchases.
Is Travel Insurance Necessary?
Well, yes and no.
You don’t have to provide any insurance documents when claiming lost baggage compensation. You still can get lost baggage compensation, even if you don’t have insurance. But it’s highly recommended to buy insurance before your trip —with good travel insurance, you’ll have more peace of mind. Your insurance will help if something goes wrong. Your travel insurance company will be the one dealing with most of the consequences. In case of delayed luggage, you may not have to contact your airline at all.
Plus, usually, travel insurance doesn’t cost much. So, why not have insurance or a travel debit or credit card with a travel insurance?
Generally speaking, if it’s not your fault that your luggage was lost or delayed, in most cases, you will be reimbursed for all the purchases that could be described as necessities in your particular situation. When in doubt, ask your insurance company before buying anything. Do not forget that you can’t throw out the receipts. Without receipts, you won’t get reimbursed.
Please note, that not all insurance policies cover baggage delay. Before you buy insurance, find out what this particular travel insurance covers and if it includes delayed baggage insurance.
Travel Prepared
Suitcases don’t get lost too often. But it happens.
From time to time bags get delayed or even lost.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to travel prepared! Be prepared that your bag may get lost or arrive later than you. In your cabin bag, carry a change of clothes, some underwear, pyjamas and travel-size toiletries. Just in case. If you are travelling to a warm-weather destination, do not forget to pack swimwear, a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, or a summer dress. Also, carry your medications and valuables in your cabin bag. So you can have access to them even if your checked luggage gets lost.
All the above-mentioned rules apply not only to Wizz Air, but to other airlines as well. These are common rules for handling claims for luggage delay, loss or damage, and are regulated by the Montreal Convention. The rules apply to most international flights and airlines all around the world.
Featured photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels