Lost luggage merry go round with AirAsia

Status
Not open for further replies.

stekmer

Newbie
Joined
May 21, 2009
Posts
9
AirAsia lost my partner's (or as she prefers to be known - wife) luggage on a Melbourne to KL flight on July 18th 2015.

Three weeks later they acknowledged that it was gone and offered US$20 per Kg as compensation (checked weight was 21 Kg) - citing their terms and conditions (T&C) for D7 flights. After repeated readings of the T&C - there is no reference to a flat amount per Kg (or any reference to lost luggage compensation amounts) although someone suggested it was in keeping with IATA rules.

We suggested that their offer was not consistent with any T&C that they had provided and that the rules under the Montreal Convention should apply.

Being new to the 'lost luggage club', I researched the rules for possible compensation, my readings pointing toward the Montreal Convention being the rules likely to apply and the compensation being for replacement of items up to a maximum of just over A$2,000.

We estimated the case and contents to be around A$1,400 (full of Idul Fitri presents for family in Indonesia - hence the timing of the flight)

The travel insurance company (QBE via Westpac Altitudes Black) wont process any claims until the airline compensation has been settled - states so in the policy so no surprise.

Over the past 6 weeks it has been back and forth > back and forth > etc etc with AirAsia who are no acknowledging that compensation under the Montreal Convention is payable but only on items for which a receipt can be produced - and - withdrawing their earlier offer of US$20 per Kg.

They were made aware that we did not hold receipts for the majority of items but did offer credit card statements with Retailer and amount (not itemised obviously)

Like 99% of people I know - we don't have receipts for items purchased over a few months ago and don't routinely keep receipts for items of clothing, toiletries etc etc.

The AirAsia contracted Mishandled Luggage reps in Melbourne have been helpful but it is the KL based Lost Luggage side that we now have to deal with.

My fear is that;

  • AirAsia will refuse to pay for anything that does not have a receipt
  • Have withdrawn their earlier offer of US$20 per Kg
  • Will refuse any payment based on us seeking to pursue greater compensation than their initial offer
  • Will be impossible to pursue through any channels to gain any compensation
  • QBE will refuse to pay anything as the airline compensation can not be finalised

Any suggestions / tips / recommendations greatly appreciated
 
Elevate your business spending to first-class rewards! Sign up today with code AFF10 and process over $10,000 in business expenses within your first 30 days to unlock 10,000 Bonus PayRewards Points.
Join 30,000+ savvy business owners who:

✅ Pay suppliers who don’t accept Amex
✅ Max out credit card rewards—even on government payments
✅ Earn & transfer PayRewards Points to 10+ airline & hotel partners

Start earning today!
- Pay suppliers who don’t take Amex
- Max out credit card rewards—even on government payments
- Earn & Transfer PayRewards Points to 8+ top airline & hotel partners

AFF Supporters can remove this and all advertisements

What does "finalised" mean?

I would have thought all you would need is a letter from AirAsia saying they refuse to pay compensation and that would be enough to then put a claim in with QBE.
 
What does "finalised" mean?

I would have thought all you would need is a letter from AirAsia saying they refuse to pay compensation and that would be enough to then put a claim in with QBE.


Good point - I hadn't considered refusal to pay as finalising a claim.
I wonder if AirAsia will provide a statement to that effect though - does it not open them up to justifiable accusations of 'poor conduct' ..... assuming they care.
 
Refusal to pay anything is treated as a "finalisation" by insurance companies. Need it written of course.

Matt
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Become an AFF member!

Join Australian Frequent Flyer (AFF) for free and unlock insider tips, exclusive deals, and global meetups with 65,000+ frequent flyers.

AFF members can also access our Frequent Flyer Training courses, and upgrade to Fast-track your way to expert traveller status and unlock even more exclusive discounts!

AFF forum abbreviations

Wondering about Y, J or any of the other abbreviations used on our forum?

Check out our guide to common AFF acronyms & abbreviations.

Recent Posts

Back
Top