Another Rare Rave

Today, I'm raving about a recent travel experience I had. Of course, it didn't start out that way. I had to fly to Germany for some depositions. Knowing how much travel sucks, especially with luggage, delayed flights, etc., I decided to travel a day earlier than I really needed. I wanted to give myself plenty of time to arrive, prepare for the depositions and get enough rest/overcome jet lag. So I flew out on a Saturday evening and arrived Sunday afternoon in Germany. I arranged to meet the local Germany attorney we had retained on Monday afternoon and Tuesday was the depositions.

Well, good thing I was prepared. Because this trip was several days, I opted to check my luggage. Besides clothes, I also packed a large amount of documents that I planned to review for the depositions, which were a bit too heavy to easily carry, especially since I had to take two planes (couldn't fly direct). I carried on the plane my purse and laptop.

Naturally, as I swear has happened the last four times either my or my husband's family have flown in or out of Europe, the luggage didn't complete the trip. Despite a four hour layover in Zurich, somehow my small suitcase didn't get transferred from US Airways/Lufthansa to Swiss Air. I filed the claim with Lufthansa immediately and they gave me an overnight package of toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion). It worked for Sunday night, but I was hard pressed to put my now two-day worn clothes back on again Monday. Plus I had the meeting that afternoon.

Swiss Air/Lufthansa still hadn't found my bag by Monday morning and certainly made it sound like it was lost. Fortunately, almost all the documents I brought were scanned on my work's computer system, so I could access them on the laptop. But I still needed new clothes. Lufthansa said I'd be reimbursed 50% of my purchases, so out I went shopping.

Given that it was very possible I wouldn't have my luggage at all, I bought 2 days worth of clothes. That got me through my meeting Monday afternoon. Happily, my suitcase was finally found and returned to me Monday night, so I could wear my packed clothes for the depositions the next day.

As there was the possibility of further meetings on Wednesday, I didn't schedule my return trip until Thursday. That provided me with the time on Wed to return half the clothes I bought, as the meetings didn't happen (although I was able to do some other work on the laptop in my hotel room). I wasn't sure I would be reimbursed for 2 days of clothes, when my suitcase was delivered only 1 day late. I might have kept the extra clothes, but they were a bit expensive, especially with the exchange rate and I really didn't need them.

When I arrived back home, I again followed up with Lufthansa about reimbursement for the clothes I did keep (and couldn't return - well, I suppose I could have hidden the tags, but I did like the outfit a lot). Lufthansa referred me over to Swiss Air, which responded very quickly. Swiss Air confirmed that they would reimburse my purchases up to 50%, with a certain capped amount they didn't disclose. I provided them with my receipts, nearly 300 euros for shoes, skirt, blouse, jacket, hose, underwear, toiletries, which cost me $438. I wasn't sure whether I spent too much, or if they'd take issue with the extra toiletries, claiming I didn't really "need" them or that my buying them wasn't due to the lost luggage (some perfume, scented soap/lotion, tampons - yes I have wonderful timing with my traveling).

To my surprise, Swiss Air quickly acknowledged everything, and sent me a check for $267.50 (which was an exchange rate of $1.83 compared to the $1.45 +3% my credit card charged). No questions about my purchases, no issue with spending too much, just thanks for the receipts, here's your money. Less than a month from my trip, I got reimbursed for more than 50% of my purchase, effectively giving me a nice new outfit for $170.50.

So despite losing my luggage, Swiss Air/Lufthansa get a rave for their quick and very easy reimbursement me for new clothes.