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SWISS AIR: 19 days & they still have my luggage

I’m a resourceful problem solver but need your sage advice (not “don’t check luggage”). Returning home (Seattle) from RS Italy tour, 110-minute flight from Naples to Zurich was 40+ minutes late leaving/arriving (I handed over my bag 2+ hours before scheduled departure; carried on tech, jewelry, meds, etc). After 20 minute wait at Zurich luggage carousel, sign showed “luggage delayed”. Agent helped me file Delayed Luggage form before I sprinted to board Icelandair flight to SEATAC. Received email same day that luggage was found in Zurich and they (tbd) would contact me about delivery. To expedite luggage reunion (leaving on another trip) had told the original Zurich agent I’d pick up the bag at my home airport (SEATAC). Agent must have written Zurich pick-up instead (though doesn’t indicate such on my copy of the form, or on the email I received). I've made 10 calls to Swiss luggage. Was told twice that they’d expedited it, but the claim was closed after 8 days. As directed, tried to file new claim but system won’t let me because original still in the system, though can’t be altered. Told to contact Tech Support. They put me on hold for 15 minutes & routed me back to luggage support. As directed filed “Feedback” both online form and voice mail. Will get back to me in 30 days. Two agents gave me Feedback numbers that are no longer in service. Have asked to talk to supervisors “there aren’t any”. Requested that my calls be documented “can’t because claim is closed”.
Flight insurance covers what the airline doesn’t. Reimbursement for replacements during delays, but many clothing items not generic; gifts, etc. purchased in Italy. Insurance Lost luggage claim can only be filed after airline deems luggage is lost. After 21 days can file Swiss Air Lost Luggage form but system won’t let me since Swiss Air says my luggage was found…and remains in Zurich. Another circle for Dante.

Posted by
11251 posts

at my home airport (SEATAC)

The airport designation is SEA. I wonder if "SEATAC" is messing them up?

Posted by
1133 posts

take a look at the links for Swiss Air on the consumer news site Chris Elliott https://www.elliott.org/ to try to push this along yourself. You can also file a report on their website; he has a nationally syndicated column.

Posted by
998 posts

I am so sorry this happened. It really sucks! My travel friend lost her luggage on a trip to Europe. It was never found. It took the airline (AA) about 3 months to declare it was lost. the airline and Travelguard insurance did compensate fairly well in the end. She had to show a receipt or CC statement for any item she claimed was valued over $150. Luckily she had used her CC for recent clothing purchases. It was a very aggravating process and she was assigned a special agent to look for the luggage before it was declared gone forever!

I hope it finds its way back to you soon.

Posted by
280 posts

As John suggests, the Elliott Report has good info. After United horsed us around for over a week following THEIR cancellation of our reservations just weeks before our trip in March, the contact info that I got from Elliott led to quick resolution. United had previously simply refused to give me anyone to contact or any refund other than a partial credit for a future flight.

The Elliott report site for Swiss Airlines is https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/swiss-international-airlines/

Check it out.

Posted by
4559 posts

As an aside (and not to blame): 2:40 between flights on different tickets, with baggage claim and recheck, is really too short.

Posted by
4 posts

Appreciate your time to read & respond with kind remarks, advice and especially the links to The Elliott Report. New to me. Grazie Mille!