You get off your Delta flight and are waiting at the baggage claim. Finally, you see the colorful tag on your luggage coming around the carousel.
But when you pick it up, there’s a brand-new rip right down the front of the bag.
Before you walk out of the airport with your freshly harmed baggage, check in with the baggage services office. You are entitled to compensation from Delta for the damage!
Erika Taught Me
- If your luggage is damaged on a Delta flight, the airline is responsible for compensating you.
- Take a photo of your bag before checking it in, to prove any damage was from mishandling.
- Examine your bags as soon as you pick them up from the carousel.
. . .
What Is Delta Responsible For?
Delta is liable for damages caused by the mishandling of your baggage.
This could be rips and tears on fabric bags, cracking or breaking on hardshell luggage, and broken wheels or straps.
They’re also liable for any damages to your belongings in the bag. For example, if your luggage is worth $250, but you had a nice North Face raincoat that got ripped as well, Delta owes you $250 plus the cost of the jacket.
As long as you can prove that the damage was from mishandling, the airline is required to compensate you!
Delta is liable for covering up to $3,800 in damages on domestic flights (the exception to this rule is personal assistive devices, like wheelchairs).
So, if that ripped North Face jacket was actually a ripped Louis Vuitton bag, you could receive up to $3,800 in damages!
How To Make a Damaged Baggage Claim with Delta
Receiving the maximum compensation isn’t automatic. You have to be able to prove the value of the loss.
The easiest way to do this is to take a few pictures of your bag before checking it in. Snap photos that clearly show the condition of the bag before being handled by the airline.
Then, if something is out of place when you get it back, you have proof to show the baggage services office.
Always inspect your bag immediately after picking it up from the carousel because all damages have to be inspected in person at the Delta baggage services office.
Once the damage has been evaluated by a Delta representative, you’ll fill out a damaged bag claim form.
What’s the Catch?
On domestic flights, damage must be reported within 24 hours of travel. For international travel, it must be reported within seven days.
If you miss this window, you won’t be eligible to collect any compensation for the damages.
Keep in mind that Delta is not responsible for covering the cost of normal wear and tear. The best way to differentiate various types of damage is to have those photos of your bag before checking it in.
They also won’t cover the cost of damages due to overpacking, like broken zippers and scratches.
FAQs
Does this work with skis and other special items?
When you check bulky or fragile items, they are considered checked baggage. So yes, the airline must compensate you for damage to skis and other sporting equipment.
As long as the fragile items are identified to the airline before check-in, they will be held responsible for any damages.
What if you didn’t take a picture of the bag beforehand?
A “before” photo is useful to have, but not absolutely necessary. You can still file a claim with Delta using their form.
Remember, a Delta representative will thoroughly examine the damage, so be able to describe to them the condition of your luggage before it was mishandled.
What if it's an international flight?
While the Department of Transportation governs the rules for domestic travel, airlines are still held accountable for damages that take place on international flights.
International treaties require compensation, typically as a reimbursement per pound of luggage.
Will airlines cover damages to wheels and straps?
According to the Department of Transportation, airlines cannot exclude liability for damages to wheels, straps, handles, and other parts of baggage that are more commonly broken.
But the airline will not cover fair wear and tear, so remember to snap a pre-check-in photo, just in case.
TL;DR: Delta’s Damaged Baggage Policy
If your luggage is damaged because of mishandling by Delta, you’re entitled to compensation. On domestic flights, you could get up to $3,800 to cover the baggage and any damaged contents inside it.
Check your bag immediately after you pick it up from the carousel, and report any damage to the baggage services office before leaving the airport.
And for extra peace of mind, always take photos of your luggage before you check it in, so you have proof if you need it.
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