## 1. CLAIM SNAPSHOT | | | |---|---| | Claim type | Delayed baggage (returned after 4 days) | | Key deadline to check | Written claim usually within 21 days of receiving the bag (bag returned 16 Oct → check by 6 Nov 2026) | | What you can usually claim | Reasonable emergency purchases while waiting (toiletries, basic clothing, phone charger) | | What may be reduced | Items seen as non-essential or luxury, or kept long-term after the bag arrived | | Strength | **Strong.** You reported it at the airport, have a PIR number and receipts for basic essentials. | ## 2. DEADLINE & ACTION CHECKLIST 1. Today: confirm the deadline in the airline's conditions of carriage. 2. Today: scan all receipts and your PIR (File Reference) report. 3. This week: send the written claim below by email or the airline's baggage claim form, and keep a copy. 4. Keep boarding passes, the bag tag stub and delivery confirmation. 5. Check whether your travel insurance or credit card also covers baggage delay. Don't claim the same cost twice. ## 3. CLAIM LETTER / EMAIL **Subject: Delayed baggage claim – File Ref LHRBA12345 – Booking {{booking_reference}}** Dear Customer Relations Team, I am writing to claim reimbursement for expenses caused by the delay of my checked bag on flight BA117 from London Heathrow to New York JFK on 12 October 2026. My bag did not arrive at JFK. I reported it at the baggage desk on arrival, and file reference LHRBA12345 was created. The bag was delivered to my hotel on 16 October 2026, four days later. During this time I had to buy essential items for a business trip: - Toiletries: $42.80 - Two shirts and underwear: $96.50 - Phone charger: $24.99 - Total: **$164.29** Receipts for all items, my boarding pass, bag tag and the file report are attached. I kept purchases to basic necessities only. Please reimburse $164.29 to my original payment method or by bank transfer within 14 days of this email. Kind regards, {{full_name}} {{email}} *This is not legal advice. Check the airline's conditions of carriage for deadlines and limits.* ## 4. ITEMISED CLAIM TABLE | Item | Reason | Amount | Receipt | |---|---|---|---| | Toiletries | No access to bag | $42.80 | Yes | | 2 shirts + underwear | Business meetings | $96.50 | Yes | | Phone charger | Packed in checked bag | $24.99 | Yes | | **Total** | | **$164.29** | | ## 5. SHORT ONLINE FORM VERSION My bag was delayed on BA117 LHR–JFK on 12 Oct 2026 (File Ref LHRBA12345) and delivered on 16 Oct, 4 days later. I bought only essentials: toiletries $42.80, 2 shirts and underwear $96.50, phone charger $24.99. Total $164.29. Receipts, boarding pass, bag tag and file report attached. Please reimburse $164.29 within 14 days. ## 6. FOLLOW-UP & ESCALATION **Follow-up (after 14 days):** "I sent my delayed baggage claim (File Ref LHRBA12345) on {{date}} and have not received a reply. Please confirm when the reimbursement of $164.29 will be paid." **Escalation:** If there is still no answer, ask for a final response from customer relations, then check whether the airline is a member of an alternative dispute resolution scheme, or contact the relevant aviation or consumer authority. Include your original claim, all receipts, and the dates of every message.