Bulgaria Air delayed baggage compensation.
How much can you claim? What are the rules?
It can be frustrating to wait for your baggage at the airport, only to find out it’s missing. This is a common problem with air travel, as your baggage can get lost or not make it onto your connecting flight as planned. If this happens to you, it’s important to take immediate action by reporting the loss of your bag. You will get a Property Irregularity Report, which will provide you with a personal reference number. With this number, you can easily track your bag online and know where it is. Rest assured that airline will ensure your belongings are delivered to you within a couple of days.
Keep reading to learn more about what you should do in such situations.
What to Do If Your Luggage Is Lost?
What to do if your baggage is delayed or lost?
In short, if you don’t do anything, you won’t get delayed baggage compensation.
If you find yourself in this situation, it’s important to take the following steps:
- Report the delayed/lost baggage immediately. As soon as you realize that your baggage is delayed, inform a representative at a baggage service office (or lost and found office) at the baggage claim area. To report a lost bag, you will need to provide your passport, boarding pass, and the baggage tag (a small sticker typically placed on your boarding pass during check-in). While providing a photo of your suitcase or any additional information can help speed up the process, it is not mandatory. If you have only your passport and boarding pass, you can still proceed with the loss report.
- Receive a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). The representative will record your contact information and provide you with a Property Irregularity Report or PIR. This report will include a personal reference number that you can use to track your bag. Make sure to keep this document safe. Don’t lose it – you will need it later.
- Await the retrieval of your bag. In most cases, lost baggage is located within the first 24 hours. Once your bag is found, the airline will contact you to make arrangements for its delivery.
Remember, by promptly reporting the issue and obtaining a Property Irregularity Report, you increase the chances of a swift resolution and the return of your checked baggage.
How to Track Your Lost Baggage?
After receiving a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with a personal reference number at the airport, it is crucial to keep this document secure as it will be necessary for tracking your baggage.
To monitor the status of your delayed or lost baggage, utilize the online baggage tracing system (the World Tracer Tool). The representatives will provide you with the necessary information when you report your lost bag. You will typically need to provide essential details such as your name and the PIR number to access this baggage tracking service.
Remember, the number on your baggage tag is not the same as your PIR number. Be sure to keep this distinction in mind while tracking your lost baggage.
Bulgaria Air Delayed Baggage Compensation
What are your rights if your baggage is delayed?
Could you be entitled to Bulgaria Air delayed baggage compensation?
Baggage Delayed For a Few Days
Airlines put significant effort into promptly delivering their customers’ baggage, typically aiming to achieve this within 24 hours. It’s important to keep in mind that in the majority of cases, bags are located and delivered within 72 hours.
To track your baggage online, you can utilize the World Tracer Tool using the provided PIR (Property Irregularity Report) number. This tool allows you to conveniently check the status of your bag throughout the process.
Reimbursement of Expenses Incurred due to Delay
In the unfortunate event of delayed baggage, it’s important to note that you may be eligible for reimbursement of essential expenses, including toiletries, underwear, and necessary clothing. To ensure a smooth reimbursement process, it is crucial to retain receipts for these purchases, as they will be necessary when filing a claim. Please note that only essential items qualify for reimbursement.
To initiate the reimbursement process, the claim must be submitted within 21 days from the date of receiving the lost baggage.
Reimbursement for expenses if often called “delayed baggage compensation”.
Lost Baggage (Compensation Available)
Bulgaria Air has a maximum of 21 days to locate and return your misplaced baggage.
In the event that your delayed baggage remains unlocated beyond the 21-day period, it is officially considered lost. At this point, you have the right to file a claim for compensation with the airline.
Under certain circumstances, you may be eligible for compensation of up to €1300.
Please be aware that it is not recommended to pack electronics, art, jewelry, and similar valuables in checked baggage. This is because Bulgaria Air (as well as other airlines) is not liable to fully compensate for the value of such items. Compensation is subject to the limits defined by the Montreal Convention and the airline’s Conditions of Carriage.
When submitting a claim, you will need to provide your boarding pass, baggage tags, and the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) along with your reference number. If you incurred any additional expenses while waiting for your baggage, you can include them in your claim by providing the corresponding receipts.
You can send a written claim to the airline, or submit your claim via email.
Is Travel Insurance Necessary?
Do you need travel insurance? Yes and no.
Having travel insurance can be beneficial when it comes to claiming compensation for lost baggage. Because claiming with the insurer usually is easier than doing it with the airline.
However, in the absence of travel insurance, you may still be able to claim compensation directly from the airline. Because airlines have their own procedures for handling lost and delayed baggage and may offer compensation within specific liability limits set by international conventions such as the Montreal Convention.
Before buying insurance policy, it’s important to ask about the policy’s coverage details, including whether it includes baggage delay coverage.
Travel Prepared
To ensure preparedness in the face of potential baggage loss or delay, it is advisable to pack a spare set of clothes and underwear in your carry-on bag. This becomes particularly crucial when traveling to tropical destinations where specific weather attire and swimwear are essential.
Additionally, it is recommended to keep medications and valuable items in your carry-on baggage as a precautionary measure, safeguarding against any potential loss or mishandling of checked baggage. By taking these precautions, you can mitigate the impact of any unforeseen circumstances during your travels.
Please note that the rules for compensation for delayed or lost baggage with Bulgaria Air are the same as those for other airlines. This is due to the Montreal Convention, which applies to the carriage of baggage on most international flights operated by Bulgaria Air and other airlines globally.
Featured photo by Markus Winkler from Pexels