baggage arrived late [compensation]

I booked a ticket from JFK, NY, USA to Mumbai, India by Virgin Atlantic Airlines, in June. At, London' Heathrow airport, I had to take Jet Airways to Mumbai as they were operating London- Mumbai segment on behalf of Virgin. I took the Jet Airways and landed early morning at Mumbai Int. Airport. After hearing my name on public announcement speaker-system, I went to the counter of Jet. I was told that my luggage has not arrived, yet, but would be arriving soon. I was given a tele. number and a cell number plus contact info . I was asked to contact that person later that day. That time, I dint have any address or tele number in Mumbai.

After finding a Hotel for accommodation, I kept on calling up the Jet Airways [given number],but no one picked up that phone. I was without any extra clothes,socks, undees etc. Also, some of my bank documents were in that checked-in luggages.

After waiting 2 days, I went to local city booking office of Jet, near Church-gate station, in Fort area. I explained my situation to the girl on that ticket counter. She dialed the number given to me from her office land line. The girl spoke to some other girl on the phone. To my surprise, someone actually picked up that line. I, also, spoke to the girl on the other end of the phone and gave my Hotel's address and tele. number with my room number. The girl told me that my luggage would be delivered to my room as soon as it would be located/identified.

Next day, I kept calling up on the number given to me by Jet from local PCOs and my friend's cell. But no one picked up the line. I tried even calling late night thinking that most of the arrival timings are late night.

After waiting for 4 days, I went to the International airport. The Jet airways office in Inside of the arrival terminal. The police on the exit door didnt not allow me to go at first. After explaining, the cop, my whole story and US passport, he reluctantly let me go in.

After lots of hold ups and calling by the counter guy @ Jet, I was assured that a lady would come to talk to me personally. After half an hour, she came and took me towards the luggage-arrival lounge. She realized that she didn't have updated luggage-claim reports. So she made me sit for almost an hour in that lonely lounge, as she went upstair to her cabin to print out the latest luggage claims.

Finally, she told me that my luggage had come, but had not 'cleared' by the customs dept. as I has few watches in the luggage. We both went to the custom office, built inside that airport, and my luggage [ 2 suitcases] was given to me after a bit inquiry about the watches. They were just gifts and not worth $20.

I sobbed my story to the lady from Jet. I told her that I was not intended to stay in so expensive-Bombay and actually wanted to take a train the same day by 'Tatkal' to go off and stay with my sisters. far away for Mumbai. Due to late arrival of my luggage I could not travel further. I spent almost all my money in Bombay staying, eating, buying extra socks, undees, baniyans, pyzama etc. and 4-days wait for my luggage.

The lady from Jet issued me around Rs. 4000 as “ interim compensation”.I took that amount and my luggage as I had to rush to be on my mom's funeral [theharavee].That money was not sufficient for 4-days-stay in Mumbai plus travel to Fort to Colaba and back plus the hardship I went through.

What should I do now? Should I write a complain letter to Virgin Airlines or Jet airlines.

Thanks

Induz

Tell them you intend to sue them once you are back in the US. That should put the fear of God back into them.

I am back in the USA now?

How can I sue them? Do I have to hire a lawyer?

You can Sue Virgin Atlantic as your written contract ( I.e booking ) was with them. However since Jet Airways was operating flight on behalf of them they too have a service obligation.

You can file a complaint with the consumer court and you can represent yourself and you don't require a lawyer.I think it can even be done online..Google it.

Hello,

Usually your late luggage will be delivered to you at your final destination, in this case to where your sisters were living.
They should have couriered it to you at that location.
This has happened to me a few times before (although not in India).
I assume they didn't offer to do this - but they should have!

I would write a letter to both Jet And Virgin explaining the story and asking for compensation.
Send them copies of all your receipts.
They'll probably offer to pay all of it.
If they don't respond within a reasonable time, take this to small claims court, as WEW suggested in the post above.

Don't make threats of legal action! They know it's unlikely to be financially worthwhile for you to do so - and will ignore them. If there is a Small Claims Court where you live and bought the ticket - they may be of use - but after (and only if) you have had your claim rejected.

Write a formal letter of claim for the extra expenditure you had to incur, beyond what they have already paid you - because you had not received your 'checked-in' luggage. Attach to your letter copies of all the receipts for that expenditure - and have the originals ready for their verification if required. If you have no receipts - detail your expenses, with names of suppliers and actual costs.

All reputable Airlines have a written policy covering circumstances like yours. None of them are over-generous, but most will recompense reasonable expenses up to a set limit. (Check out the Virgin web-site).

I had a similar experience with Malaysian Air, which misplaced my luggage between Kuala Lumpur and Siem Reap for a couple of days. When I returned home and claimed - they paid my claim out in full - and quite quickly too.

Good Luck.

I don't have any advice for you, and you are getting good advice here. I just wanted to give you my deepest sympathies for your mother's passing. I'm so sorry you had such added stress during a time of sorrow.

for the help and info...I will write a letter detailing all my hardship due to late arrival of 'Checked-in Luggage'...I have to find out the receipts[ If any] for the expenses in Mumbai during those 4 days...1750 per night x4= Rs..7000 for stay...

Thanks a lot

Induz

for the help and info...I will write a letter detailing all my hardship due to late arrival of 'Checked-in Luggage'...I have to find out the receipts[ If any] for the expenses in Mumbai during those 4 days...1750 per night x4= Rs..7000 just for stay...
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Yes, in my county there is a Small Claims Cuort.

Thanks a lot

Induz