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[chuckles1]

I just returned from a conference/research stint in Spain, and spent 8 of the 30 days without my baggage.  Does any similarly slighted traveler think it's worth my time seeking more than the compensation the airline has promised me (100% reimbursement for "primary" needs [toiletries]; 50% for clothes and other "secondary" [!!!]) things)?  (Lufthansa's the airline). 

I bought only what I needed while I was without my luggage, and feel justified in being compensated for those things, even the dispensable items such as clothing.

Thanks in advance!

 

[expatinuk]

Everything that you discuss is covered by international treaty.

[rodentmind]

Hmm...I don't know...I had an airline lose my stuff when I was going to a professional engagement internationally, and the stuff never arrived during the time period in question. After hours of being on the phone trying to track it down, I became totally defeated/demoralized and never bothered to seek compensation for the crap I had to buy. I hear you on the pain and suffering aspect of it all, for sure.

[poiuy]

I just went through a similar harrowing experience.  Nowadays the security
of your luggage is a joke, what with the TSA jokers keeping things "safe", petty pilferers everywhere, etc.  I also had the NW / Lufthansa
combination.  The suitcase never arrived.  It cleared customs
at DTWT and was handed to TSA and was never seen again,
despite having address labels etc. 

Squeak away, you will eventually get something. 
But you will have spent inordinate amounts of time on the phone,
and waiting.  So the compensation comes so late that it does not
really help the situation.  It only helps for the feeling that at least
you made the #$%^ pay something.  They want you to feel
demoralized and go away; I've heard statements like "we're really
busy here, so it will take at least 8 weeks for your case to move
ahead in the queue."  Really busy with so many lost luggage situations?!

Save all receipts.  Keep xerox copies.  File the lost luggage complaint
with the airline within their stated time frame.  Send it by registered
post AND fax (not in their "no need to stick a stamp" envelope).
Keep phoning.  Practice zen breathing.   We did get a check for the
lost suitcase, but I haven't seen the check yet so I don't know the amount
(was it what we claimed, or some arbitrary amount?)

I am looking into additional trip insurance for my next flight.
Anyone had experience with this and are they any better than
the airline coverage?

Thanks.....

[expatinuk]

I am looking into additional trip insurance for my next flight.
Anyone had experience with this and are they any better than
the airline coverage?

Not really. I had a situation where my jewelry, which was in my handbag went missing at Heathrow. They had singled me out for a full security check and when they took my handbag away, and emptied all the contents, my jewelry bag wasn't put back in.

I had about 10K worth of stuff in the bag. I ended up filing with three different insurance companies: work; home; and travel ... I ended up getting about 6k because of all the deductions and limits of liability.

[daniel_von_flanagan]

I just returned from a conference/research stint in Spain, and spent 8 of the 30 days without my baggage.

If I read you right, you did get the stuff back eventually, which means that it is unlikely you will get more than they have offered you.

When I was a poor young postdoc in England I used to fly pretty often between London and the US (where my now-wife was staying), and Pandemonium Airlines misplaced my luggage in London Every.Single.Time.  usually for just 2-3 days.  The compensation I got from them just about covered my annual clothing budget, which is why I continued to fly Pan Am by choice. - DvF