Holiday travel luggage rights: What to do if your bags are lost, delayed, damaged

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - With AAA projecting a record of more than 8 million travelers flying around the country this holiday season, someone’s luggage is bound to get lost, damaged or left behind.

Cleveland consumer class action attorney Danny Karon said the Department of Transportation requires air carriers to make it right when this happens.

They have to provide reasonable reimbursement up to $4,700.

The airline has the final say on what is reasonable reimbursement.

“And if you don’t like it, maybe you take them to court. Maybe you take it to a small claims court,” Karon said.

If you’re traveling with anything you value, Karon suggests taking a picture of it in your luggage to provide proof. Then if it’s lost or damaged you’ll be prepared for any predictable pushback from the airline when you ask for reimbursement.

“Be reasonable. Be thoughtful. If you’re traveling with clothes, ask for the cost of your clothes. Now, of course, if it’s a nice high-end outfit, they’re going to say, hey, listen, prove it,” Karon said.

When reaching out for reimbursement, don’t do it over the phone or email, instead write a letter because they don’t get deleted.

“I always write to customer service. I write to the CEO, and I write to the chief legal counsel. And I don’t just write a letter. I send it certified mail, return receipt requested, so I know they got it. And more importantly, they know I know they got it. And there’s a record in the process now that we can work off of that states my case, states my claim, makes my reasonable ask, and every single time it’s gotten me what I deserve,” Karon said.

In Karon’s book, “Your Lovable Lover’s Guide to Legal Wellness,” he has a chapter of what to do when the airlines do you wrong, and even provides examples of letters he’s written that have gotten him results.