You are probably not far off. Seems to be a common occurrence atm.
I've done a few flights up and down eastern states recently for business, mainly with Qantas and had my case delayed when flying QF from SYD-BNE a couple of weeks ago and then last Monday flying SYD-MEL. Both occasions Qantas had no idea where the bag was.
OK, when checking in for the BNE flight, the check in system was down at SYD (approx 5pm on a Sunday) but still on both occasions my bags did not arrive until after the start of business the following day.
On both occasions I had to turn up to my client and conduct a corporate training session in jeans and a t-shirt.
I'm not able to travel with HLO as I take audio visual gear for my sessions and various other work-related materials and so don't have room for clothes in with fragile electronics so was literally left with only the shirt on my back.
For the BNE flight I have put in a claim to QF and just received a form back requesting bank details for them to make the payment. On the form it clearly states that the reimbursement for "emergency expenses" is limited to AUD$60 !!!!
Despite the QF member of staff at BNE airport suggesting I go out and buy some clothes, I didn't - after all it was 7.30pm in BNE on a Sunday night. However, first thing the next morning I went out and grabbed some toiletries as well as a power lead for my laptop. Of course, this totalled >$60.
On Monday, after the same thing happened in MEL, QF gave me a number to call Baggage Services that diverted to reservations. After 5 lengthy calls to the call centre which all cut got cut off, I was told that the case was still in Sydney. On the sixth call I was told it actually had arrived in MEL that lunchtime. The seventh call didn't get me any more information.
I called baggage services offices all-round the country in addition to trying MEL and SYD (who were not answering). Those at other airports eg Perth & Townsville could only see what was coming in and out of their airport - so couldn't help.
As I had been told that my bag had arrived in MEL, I headed out to the airport in the hope it was there...it wasn't. It only turned up the next day long after the start of the business day.
I'm convinced that if I had not gone to the airport the case would have taken another day to get to me in MEL.
So, while AirTags will help you locate your baggage, it will not get the airlines to actually get it to you swiftly. There is zero care factor and or initiative. The baggage services portal is a joke as well as it gives you no information at all. Long after the bag had been delivered it was still showing they were trying to locate it.
If you have incurred genuine expenses as a result of the airline not getting your bag to you in a timely manner, can they really limit it to a measly $60?
Has anyone had any joy getting more than that reimbursed by Qantas?
I'm looking at >$100 Uber/taxi fares to get to MEL from the CBD as well as more toiletries. I had been told that they the case had arrived in Melbourne.
Any thoughts.
