Have you ever spared some thoughts as to what could be the winning features of an airline that attracts the highest customer ratings, besides topping the global charts as a premier passenger carrier? Some key and well-defined parameters are considered as the benchmarks for the success of an airline which include but are not limited to impressive passenger reviews, in-flight premium services, minimal environmental impact, use of innovative technology, ease of flying, good safety record and affordable pricing. Qatar Airways is all these, and much more! It is an award-winning airline that is always looking to improve its passenger experience with the best deals and top-drawer services.
No prizes for guessing that Doha, the capital of Qatar, is the airway’s headquarters and flying base. It flies to more than 150 destinations worldwide – connecting all six continents – Asia, Africa, the Americas, Australia, and Europe. It has been unanimously voted the world’s top airline in 2021. It is also a major and the first Gulf Carrier to join the OneWorld Alliance – also awarded the world’s best airline alliance in 2021.
Qatar Airways is everybody’s dream airline. It is a stellar performer, and cases of misplaced or mishandled luggage are few and far between. The airline has clear baggage guidelines, and in the rare instance when anyone misses or loses their luggage, the officials at Qatar have been successful in returning the lost property to the claimant in 99% of the cases immediately after their flight.
Here’s what you should do if you have just flown with Qatar and find yourself in a similar fix.
Approach the Lost Property Office
You need not work yourself up if you suddenly realize that your bag has not traveled with you to the destination airport. For the majority, lost bags in Qatar are returned intact within and often in less than 24 hours to the rightful owner. However, you must first file a missing luggage report with the authorities at the baggage services counter at the arrival airport, and preferably before leaving the premises. Please remember to leave a reachable number and a valid address and email ID with the officials if you must leave the airport without your bag.
Once you lodge a missing luggage report, they will issue a baggage tracking number to you which you can use to track the status of your baggage claim online. However, if you notice apparent damage/s to your luggage when you receive it from the conveyor belt and suspect it to be a result of mishandling, please notify the authorities immediately for suitable compensation. Qatar advises all its fliers to pack mindfully and to exclude all such goods/items that could be prone to easy damage and cannot withstand the rigors of air travel. You must lodge a claim at the baggage claims area at the airport upon arrival, and they will issue a PIR number to you.
You must contact the baggage services desk officials immediately upon your disembarkation in case you have left behind your belongings at the waiting lounge, departure gate, onboard a Qatar flight, or anywhere in between.
Fill the Online Baggage Claim
You must submit an online claim through the ‘My Baggage’ section on their official website page within 7 days for either of the following issues – delayed baggage, if you realized late about your baggage loss; damaged bag or missing items, if you left the airport without reporting it to the baggage service desk officials; and you can also check the status of your baggage claim through this section by entering the file reference number that was issued to you at the airport upon filing the PIR.
The airline will reimburse you reasonably for any damage or loss subject to their conditions of carriage.
You will be required to complete the Passenger Property Questionnaire to support any claim, and with the required supporting documents like the e-ticket, boarding pass, baggage stubs and a picture of your baggage. Visit the link here to register your claim.
Reach Customer Service via Phone & Social Media
What do you think would be the quickest way to get their attention? docial media, hands down!
If you wish to contact the customer service via phone, here are the numbers to note: +974 4144 5555 (Qatar), +971 600521473 (UAE), +44 330 912 7415 (UK), +1 877 777 2827 (US), 400-994-9991 (China) and +91 95129 72827 (India). Phone, however, may not always be the best medium to get hold of an agent who can help you with tracing your lost bag. Due to high call volumes, lines remain engaged, which can seem like forever.
You can alternatively chat up with a representative on WhatsApp, and let them know your problem. Visit their website, and click on Manage Booking. You will find the ‘My Baggage’ section here, where you can also see the “Chat with us on WhatsApp” option that will connect you to a rep at the baggage desk. Give them an accurate description of your lost bag with all its contents, along with mandatory information like your name, flight details, seat number on the boarding pass, contact details, or whatever they ask for. If they fail to locate your property within the specified time frame, you can claim a luggage refund. The customer care services will do the needful.
In all probability, they will provide you with a toll-free number to obtain updates about your luggage. You may visit their official website to be familiar with their help section, and terms and conditions regarding claims.
These are their social media pages that you can access to send out an SOS – Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Conclusion
The chances of losing your baggage with Qatar Airways are extremely small. If you do have a run of bad luck, Qatar will give its best shot at reuniting you with your lost luggage. All said and done, you must still play safe and pack light so that you do not encounter unnecessary delays and hassles on a trip – pleasure or business!
My only daughter studying in UK had come to see us and gone back last week to Manchester. We are really very shocked to know that her baggage is missing and untraced still and neither Qatar airways nor authority of Manchester airport are able to track. In her baggage there were some new clothes, life saving medicines and also some jewelries. She is crying alone everyday. Nobody from the airline is able to help us with the situation.
My luggage was mishandled, it’s broken and been a month now no one has contacted me. My reference file id is ACC3020525.
My bag is lost for 9 days now. They are not doing a thing. The Colombo Qatar staff is so very incompetent. About 8 staff members from Colombo office said 8 different things. My vacation is totally ruined.
Qatar lost one of my cabin baggage at Dallas and they have not yet contacted me. It has been 10 days trying to reach someone but nobody is respond. On the same day I went to raise a complaint at baggage service. They tracked my luggage and then have mentioned my baggage numbers even i did not receive my cabin bag. Total bags 4. They have sent 3 checking baggage to given destination after 3 days. They have missed my cabin bag that had important documents and things carried, such an awful experience with Qatar airways.
Horrible customer service. It’s been a week now since i did not receive my baggage. PI travelled from Boston to Doha and then from Doha to Riyadh. However, one of my two baggage did not arrive and was at Boston. Immediately I had lodged a claim at King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh. Since I had put the Apple air tag in my baggage, I came to know that my luggage had arrived in Riyadh. However, nobody contacted me and the luggage reached back to Doha and then reached Toronto. It appears Qatar Airways has handed over my baggage to some other passenger.
QR airways lost one of my suitcases during my outbound flight and my whole vacation is ruined. I contact their Jeddah customer center but no one contacted me so far. It is more than 3 days now. They gave me a customer support service number which is just a joke as no one replies the phone. Wasn’t expecting such a service by so called number one airline.
It has been over 3 weeks since I lost my bag. You can’t imagine the inconveniences this has caused me! My emails to Qatar Airways are going unanswered and the link for establishing chat sessions in WhatsApp doesn’t seem to be forthcoming via SMS. Qatar Airways, do something about missing luggage and how you reach out to the affected fast enough for closure.
Qatar lost one of my suitcases and they have not yet contacted me. It has been 8 days trying to reach someone but nobody in the company phones is interested in something different from bookings. Horrible experience with the supposed number one aviation company.