Flying from MCO, Suitcase Wrecked

[Mortlives]

I didn't know whether to put this in Transportation or here.

I recently flew via Westjet from MCO to Toronto. When my suitcase arrived, it had been battered, ripped, the top plastic support (inside the case) cracked, and one of the wheels completely snapped off. I have no idea if this is from Westjet or airport baggage handlers, and which airport it happened at. All I know is I only bought the suitcase in January, and this was the second time I had used it, and now it is garbage.

My travel companion's suitcase was also damaged.

Has this happened to anyone else? Is it a Westjet phenomenon? An airport one? Thoughts?

 

[minnie mum]

Did you file a damage claim at the airport when you discovered the damage? If not, you are probably out of luck getting a replacement. Damage to your luggage could have happened at any stage from the time you dropped it off until you picked it up. It can happen with any airline or any airport. BTDT, but not with Westjet or those airports.

 

[Mortlives]

I know it's too late for me now, and I really didn't have the time to make a claim, but in future, with whom would you file the claim?

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I know it's too late for me now, and I really didn't have the time to make a claim, but in future, with whom would you file the claim?

Directly with your airline. I believe Westjet has a desk right in the baggage area at Pearson. If you choose to do it online there is a page on their website with forms to fill in. You will need all your travel documentation ie: flight number, date, and your itinary number ...

I know with Air Canada there is a time limit on filing a claim for damage - not sure about Westjet.

 

[Mortlives]

Directly with your airline. I believe Westjet has a desk right in the baggage area at Pearson. If you choose to do it online there is a page on their website with forms to fill in. You will need all your travel documentation ie: flight number, date, and your itinary number ...

I know with Air Canada there is a time limit on filing a claim for damage - not sure about Westjet.

Thank you.

 

[Gigi22]

Just a thought, since your suitcase was a recent purchase, did you buy it with a credit card that carries insurance on purchases? Maybe you can still pursue it from that angle?

 

[alohamom]

So sorry to hear this happened. We had it happen to a first use brand new suitcase with JetBlue. everything looked fine until I tried to roll it. That was when I discovered one of the back wheels had been snapped off. I went straight to baggage claim, filed a complaint and got a whopping 25 credit!!! What kind of suitcase can I buy for 25 bucks!?!?! I was so maaaaddd, I had heard nothing but great things about JetBlue and I was very disappointed in their policy for damage. I would take the time to email WestJet and attach some pics if you can, I am sure they will do something

 

[Mortlives]

Thanks, I looked it up, and their policy is 7 days. It's been 2 weeks, so too late. But, it's good that I will know for next time. Thanks, everyone!

 

[Deanie1]

My son's backpack was damaged when he was flying home from Asia. I am sorry but I cannot remember if it was Air Canada or an Asian airline. He went right up to the desk to report it. They sent him a brand new one, not exactly the same kind, of course (but better!). I didn't know that you had to do it right then and there but it makes total sense.

 

[starvenger]

Just a thought, since your suitcase was a recent purchase, did you buy it with a credit card that carries insurance on purchases? Maybe you can still pursue it from that angle?

Most credit cards do provide an extended warranty. But if you bought the luggage this year it should still be covered by the manufacturers warranty.

 

[LemonNeko]

My son's backpack was damaged when he was flying home from Asia. I am sorry but I cannot remember if it was Air Canada or an Asian airline. He went right up to the desk to report it. They sent him a brand new one, not exactly the same kind, of course (but better!). I didn't know that you had to do it right then and there but it makes total sense.

My ex had a small tear in his suitcase when he flew Japan Airlines and they gave him a brand new one that was significantly better than the one he originally had. He hadn't even complained about it but a staff member noticed it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Yep, Delta once drug my luggage behind the cart (at least that's what the agent thought) Wandered into the bag office with my damaged bag and two weeks later a check arrived.

That said, they specifically exclude wheels!

 

[Cottager]

Flew with Delta back from Florida to Buffalo. Both of our Hey's Disney luggage had the roller wheels torn off and cracked. We walked into the head office in Mississauga and complained about a defect since both bags had the exact same crack lines where the wheel assembly attached to the bag. They agreed to exchange them just the once. Others with the exact same defect weren't so lucky dealing with it over the phone or email.

 

[TheBig2na]

Filing a claim is useless anyway. We were told we had to drive to the middle of Toronto somewhere during business hours where they would look into giving us some sort of compensation. Wasting a day to drive there and back to replace the suitcase wasn't worth taking a day off work. They should offer you one right there, i dont even care if it has the company logo on it that destroyed it. Why do I have to waste a day when they destroyed it.

 

[Canadian Girl]

Westjet snapped a wheel off one of my suitcases and had a representative at the airport. They offered me a replacement ( soft sided) which I turned down as it was a hardsided larger sized case. I was then offered a 150.00 travel credit which I took. I just asked in the baggage area before I exited and was directed to the correct person. After the fact however probably wouldn't work.

 

[TheBig2na]

I guess I wasnt flying on westjet on my flight. hahahahaha Ours was a soft one which was just bought for that trip. Made it there, but not home.

 

[BLAZEY]

In 2000 my BF (now DH) and I went to Disneyland flying Air Canada. He was suing an inexpensive suitcase that I had got from my Nana as a birthday gift a couple of months earlier. I already had my own sturdy Atlantic set, so I gave it to him to use. We didn't notice the damaged zipper until he tried to open the suitcase after arriving at our hotel. We phone the 1-800 number for Air Canada and explain the situation. hey gave us a claim number and asked if the suit case did open an closed? It did with some rigging of a safety pin. Upon our trip home we spoke with the gate agent who made a note on our baggage tag and put his case in a clear plastic bag. after arriving home I was directed to take it to a specified luggage repair place with the claim number and it would be repaired at no cost to me. I know it cost them more to repair it than it would have been to replace the suitcase. I now always check my bags for damage before leaving the airport.

 

[BSBNess]

This happen to me 3 years ago. I got the suitcase for my Birthday. I was leaving on a cruise the day after my birthday. I was flying with American Airlines and saw this huge rip. I went straight to them it was after midnight too. But they recorded got from info and told me where to take it to get repaired. It couldn't get repaired so they replaced it. They even tried to match the colour. The suitcase I now have is $60 more in value than my original suitcase.

My original suitcase for $60. I now Always check out my luggage before leaving baggage claim in the customs area.

 

[Rileykat]

If you ever have damage to your suitcase make sure not to leave the airport before making a claim. If you leave, then they will deny the claim.

 

[grantclaire]

You can also check the suitcase company's warranty. We had a suitcase damaged and the warranty covered the repair.