U.S.Airliners expected to pay Refund for Lost Luggage..., page 1

For anyone that expeeriances the headaches of flying with all the additional charges and lost luggage heres a little bit of good news I guess. I personnaly have had a bag of my own that was lost on a trip back from Miami flying Delta and was never compinsated...With tis new rule insteadof getting nothing for your lost bag you will at least get the the baggage fee refunded. So its not a total loss at least.I guess at least theyre taking steps on the right direction, even though small steps, theyre still going in the right direction for a change to make flying a little less of a nightmare...

U.S. airline must pay for lost luggage

WASHINGTON - U.S. airlines must offer bag fee refunds for losing luggage, according to a new regulation aimed at holding carriers more accountable for service lapses that include 2 million lost bags annually.The Transportation Department order to be unveiled on Wednesday also doubles the penalty for involuntarily “bumping“ passengers from sold out flights and builds on steps initiated previously by the agency or ordered by Congress to address passenger complaints.

The airline industry relies on a range of fees for bags, drinks, preferred seating and other services to supplement what it collects in fares. Airlines collected more than $2.5 billion in bag fees alone last year, the latest government estimates showBut passengers, transportation officials and members of Congress are frustrated with escalating airline-related prices, claims of hidden charges, and difficulty gaining redress if something goes wrong.

“It’s just common sense that if an airline loses your bag or you get bumped from a flight because it was oversold, you should be reimbursed,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement.

But the new rule taps into bag fees — a particular sore spot with consumers who had to put up with 2 million lost bags in 2010, government figures show.Airlines in recent years have charged up to $25 to check one bag and up to $35 for each additional piece of luggage that must be loaded and stowed under the cabin. Higher charges are imposed for oversized or overweight bags.

In addition to the refund requirement, the new regulation also:* Requires airlines to prominently disclose all potential fees on their websites, including for bags, meals, canceling or changing reservations, and seating upgrades.
* Doubles the amount of possible compensation when passengers on oversold planes are “bumped” or involuntarily placed on another flight. Currently, “bumped” passengers can collect compensation equal to the value of their tickets — up to $400 — with certain restrictions.

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