Lost Luggage in Italy :( Any Suggestions?

[WaltD4Me]

My cousin in on a much anticipated and long planned trip to Italy (with a tour group) and her luggage is lost. She arrived in Italy on Saturday and they still have not found her luggage as of this morning. I feel so bad for her, she has been talking about this trip for months and months. My aunt said the tour company isn't much help at all and definitely not taking her shopping like ABD did for Teresa and Kathy. Basically they are blaming the airline and saying there isnt anything they can do. My uncle has been trying to work through the airline, but so far no luck. I know there are some very well traveled people on this board, I just thought I would see if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions of finding lost luggage abroad.

 

[FireDancer]

If the airline lost the bags I doubt the tour company can do much to help. I did a week long biking trip through Tuscany in 2008 and had US Air lost my bags VBT (the biking tour company) really couldn't do much.

I'd suggest busting out the credit card and buying what she needs and then enjoying the trip. If she did all she could and is waiting on the airlines this just has to be filed onto the "accept what you can not change" pile of life.

 

[kaligal]

In all my travels, the luggage only went on its own little vacation one time.

The airlines required that I fight with them before agreeing to do what they're supposed to do, which is so typical of them. It took a little time, but I eventually got my vouchers and a check. The vouchers came first, of course.

Don't let them act like this is the first time this has ever happened and they aren't prepared for it. It isn't and they are. They have vouchers all ready and funds set up to pay for this crap. But if they can get away with being unhelpful and not paying for anything - believe it, Batman! - they will.

If you have a good travel agent, they can usually help fight with the airlines. I don't know about tour groups, but am doubting they'd be much help - there is nothing in it for them, they've already been paid.

It took 2 days for my luggage to show up and this was all within the continental U.S.

I feel badly for her.

Best of luck!