Report any problems to the airline before leaving the airport; insist on filling out a form. Open your suitcase immediately when you get to where you are staying. Any damage to the contents or any pilferage should be immediately reported to the airline by telephone. Make a note of the date and time of the call, and the name and telephone number of the person you spoke with. Follow up immediately with a certified letter to the airline.

Damage

If your suitcase arrives smashed or torn, the airline will usually pay for repairs. If it can’t be fixed, they will negotiate a settlement to pay you its depreciated value. The same holds true for belongings packed inside. Airlines may decline to pay for damage caused by the fragile nature of the broken item or inadequate packing, rather than the airline’s rough handling.

Carriers may also refuse to give you money for your damaged items inside the bag when there’s no evidence of external damage to the suitcase. But airlines generally don’t disclaim liability for fragile merchandise packed in its original factory sealed carton, a cardboard mailing tube, or other container designed for shipping and packed with protective padding material.

When you check in, airline personnel should let you know if they think your suitcase or package may not survive the trip intact. Before accepting a questionable item, they will ask you to sign a statement in which you agree to check it at your own risk. But even if you do sign this form, the airline might be liable for damage if it is caused by its own negligence shown by external injury to the suitcase or package.

Delayed bags

If you and your suitcase don’t connect at your destination, don’t panic. The airlines have very sophisticated systems that track down about 98% of the bags they misplace and return them to their owners within hours. In many cases they will absorb reasonable expenses you incur while they look for your missing belongings. You and the airline may have different ideas of what’s reasonable, however, and the amount they will pay is subject to negotiation.

If your bags don’t come off the conveyor belt, report this to the airline before you leave the airport. Insist that they fill out a form and give you a copy, even if they say the bag will be in on the next flight. If the form doesn’t contain the name of the person who filled it out, ask for it. Get an appropriate phone number for following up (not the Reservations number).

Don’t assume that the airline will deliver the bag without charge when it is found; ask them about this. Most carriers set guidelines for their airport employees that allow them to disburse some money at the airport for emergency purchases.

The amount depends on whether or not you’re away from home and how long it takes to track down your bags and return them to you. If the airline does not provide you a cash advance, it may still reimburse you later for the purchase of necessities. Discuss with the carrier the types of articles that would be reimbursable, and keep all receipts.

If the airline misplaces sporting equipment, it will sometimes pay for the rental of replacements. For replacement clothing or other articles, the carrier might offer to absorb only a portion of the purchase cost, on the basis that you will be able to use the new items in the future. (The airline may agree to a higher reimbursement if you turn the articles over to them.)

When you’ve checked in fresh foods or any other perishable goods and they are ruined because their delivery is delayed, the airline won’t reimburse you. Carriers may be liable if they lose or damage perishable items, but they won’t accept responsibility for spoilage caused by a delay in delivery.

Airlines are liable for provable consequential damages up to the amount of their liability limit (see below) in connection with the delay. If you can’t resolve the claim with the airline’s airport staff, keep a record of the names of the employees with whom you dealt, and hold on to all travel documents and receipts for any money you spent in connection with the mishandling. (It’s okay to surrender your baggage claim tags to the airline when you fill out a form at the airport, as long as you get a copy of the form and it notes that you gave up the tags.) Call or write the airline’s consumer office when you get home.

Lost luggage

Once your bag is declared officially lost, you will have to submit a claim. This usually means you have to fill out a second, more detailed form. Check on this; failure to complete the second form when required could delay your claim. Missing the deadline for filing it could invalidate your claim altogether.

The airline will usually refer your claim form to a central office, and the negotiations between you and the airline will begin. If your flight was a connection involving two carriers, the final carrier is normally the one responsible for processing your claim even if it appears that the first airline lost the bag.

Airlines don’t automatically pay the full amount of every claim they receive. First, they will use the information on your form to estimate the value of your lost belongings. Like insurance companies, airlines consider the depreciated value of your possessions, not their original price or the replacement costs. If you’re tempted to exaggerate your claim, don’t.

Airlines may completely deny claims they feel are inflated or fraudulent. They often ask for sales receipts and other documentation to back up claims, especially if a large amount of money is involved. If you don’t keep extensive records, you can expect to dicker with the airline over the value of your goods.

Generally, it takes an airline anywhere from six weeks to three months to pay you for your lost luggage. When they tender a settlement, they may offer you the option of free tickets on future flights in a higher amount than the cash payment. Ask about all restrictions on these tickets, such as “blackout” periods and how far before departure you are permitted to make a reservation.

Larry Westfall is a frequent Thailand visitor and owner of Resort Krabi Submitted by: SUBMITTER.CO.ZA

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By: M. D. Robinson

Each year, a large number of Americans fly for the first time. As exciting as it is to be a first-time flyer, many first-time flyers are at a disadvantage. That disadvantage is not knowing everything about the airport that they will be using or the airline that they will be flying on. If you are a first-time flyer, you are advised against going into this exciting experience with unanswered questions. Instead, you are advised to get the answers to your questions.

When it comes to first-time air travel, there are an unlimited number of questions that many have. Some want to know what the best international airports are to fly out of and others want to know exactly what an intentional airport is. If you are planning of flying out of the country, it is advised that you familiarize yourself, not only with local international airports, but international airports as a whole. You will likely find that after doing so you will not only know what you are doing, but you will also have a better appreciation for international travel.

In the United States, there are two main types of airports. These airports are domestic airports and international airports. Perhaps, the best way to learn more about international airports, namely what they are, is to compare them to domestic airports. Domestic airports are more commonly found in the United States, when compared to international airports. This is because essentially any airport is considered a domestic airport.

A domestic airport is defined as an airport, in the United States, that offers flights to and from other cities or states, also in the United States. Since their planes will not be leaving American soil, the flights are considered domestic flights. Essentially, an airport that houses domestic flight is referred to as a domestic airport. On the other hand, there is an intentional airport.

An international airport is an airport that offers flights from the United States to other countries. Although they tend to advertise the fact that they specialize in international flights, most international airports not only have international flights, but domestic flights as well. For that reason, international airports are often larger in size, when compared to most domestic airports.

The size of an airport will also have a direct impact on how you will go about getting around the airport. Since most, but not all, domestic airports are relatively small in size, many only have a few terminals. These terminals are also likely to be connected or be all in the same building. International airports are a different story, in fact, some international airports are so large they have to shuttle their passengers around from terminal to terminal.

Although there are a number of differences between international airports and domestic airports, there are some similarities between the two. These similarities most commonly include the baggage and passenger screening processes. Due to concerns about airport security, namely on international flights, the airline industry has started to follow a number of strict rules. These rules often include bans on dangerous objects and intense screening, such as the removal of all shoes. In most international airports, domestics flights are not always separated from international flights, this means that all passengers will have to go through the same security checkpoints and examinations.

As you can see, it is easy to learn about international airports, especially when comparing them to domestic airports. Now that you know exactly what an international airport is and does, you can now start searching for an international airport that can offer you the services that you need, if you have not already done so.

M.D. Robinson is the webmaster of several neat sites where you can find useful and Free information along with many how-to articles that cover a large variety of interesting topics. Visit, cool-tips.com/travel/ Written by: M.D. Robinson

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By: Tony C.F. Cheung

Since decades, Canada and Hong Kong maintains a close as well as long standing trade and economic relationship. The socio-economic and trading relationship of Canada and Hong Kong can be traced back to 1928, when Canada formed its Consulate General in Hong Kong, in Exchange Building, on the Pedder Street. Indeed, Canada is regarded as one of the largest trading partners of Hong Kong. It is estimated that more than 150 Canadian businesses operate in Hong Kong, which includes firms specializing in information technology, construction and engineering, financial services, and insurance as well as intermediary services.

Apart from this, more than 450 Canadian business firms are represented by agents, distributors, and joint venture partners, which in turn have led to the formation of the largest Canadian overseas business community in Asia. Bank of Montreal, Crown Life Insurance, Air Canada, and Manulife, are just few among many of the leading as well as thriving Canadian business firms that conduct their business functions in Hong Kong. As per certain records, the turnover as a result of economic partnership between Hong Kong and Canada was C$5.6 billion in 2006. In short, it has been accounted that more than 2, 50,000 citizens from Canada happily reside and work in Hong Kong. In fact, with more than 1,200 members, the Hong Kong’s Canadian Chamber of Commerce is considered the largest outside Canada.

Reciprocally, many people from Hong Kong also live and conduct their businesses in Canada, especially in such Canadian areas as Vancouver, Toronto, and Richmond. The close as well as strong relationship of Hong Kong and Canadian cities, particularly Vancouver, has led to vivacious economic partnership between two nations. Both Hong Kong and British Columbia are considered the gateways. When Hong Kong serves as the gateway to Asia, Vancouver serves as the gateway for Asian business firms to have access to the trendy markets in the North America. The close relationship of Canada and Hong Kong is further substantiated by Canada’s supporting of the context developed by Hong Kong, ‘one country, two systems,’ which in turn is embodied in the basic law. In addition, the Fraser Institute, based in Vancouver, has consistently ranked Hong Kong as the world’s freest economy and that too for almost 13 years.

Hong Kong and Canada not only maintains a close relationship in economic as well as trading but also in schooling and education. For instance, according to certain records, one in five students from Hong Kong prefers to stay and study in Canada. Besides, many students from Canada also study in Hong Kong, whose evidence is the large number of Canadian international schools that operate in Hong Kong. This in turn has helped in strengthening the relationship between Hong Kong and Canadian people. Apart from schooling and education, Hong Kong and Canada also preserve a close relationship in sectors such as construction and food production areas.

Understanding the importance of the close relationship of Vancouver and Hong Kong, nowadays many airlines operate convenient as well as budget flights between Hong Kong and Vancouver. Of which, one of the prominent airlines is Oasis Hong Kong, which is considered the first to enter the budget airline sector. With six direct flights from Vancouver to Hong Kong a week, Oasis Hong Kong’s prime aim is to bridge the distance between Hong Kong and Canada, thereby enabling for enhanced tourism and trade as well as commerce between these two great amazing centers. Oasis Hong Kong operates flights to Hong Kong from both Vancouver and London in UK. A specialty of this airline is that it provides impeccable customer services coupled with high degree of comfort and that too at cheap rates. Almost all superb facilities are available while your travel from Vancouver to Hong Kong, such as, comfortable seats, personal seat back TVs, and two complimentary delicious meals, with a choice of Western or Asian styles. Further, Oasis Hong Kong recently declared that it provides opportunities for the kid, aged 11 or younger, to travel when accompanied by an eligible adult. However, bookings should be made within a stipulated time period.

Started in October 2006, Oasis Hong Kong Airlines pioneers a fresh approach to flying. We are now flying daily flying daily between Hong Kong, London and Vancouver.For more information visit www.oasishongkong.com

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By: Ivan Bartol

When it comes to air travel and clothing, we are all different. There are some travelers who are dressed in business suits, others in traditional jeans, and others who wear something as comfortable as possible, such as their pajamas or sweat pants. With the recent increase in airport security and the recent change in air travel rules, there are many individuals who wonder if the clothing they wear to the airport is important. If you are one of those individuals, you can rest assure because, in most cases, it is not.

It seems as if ever since airplanes became the popular way to travel, a focus has been placed on comfort. Regardless of whether or not you will be taking a long flight, you will want to be comfortable. There is nothing worse than wearing an itchy sweater or tight pair of pants up in the air. Unless you bring a chance of clothes with you and place them in your carryon bag, you are out of luck. That is why it is important that you think of what you will be wearing before you leave for the airport. Even if you are traveling for business, you should be able to change in to your business clothes as soon as you arrive at your destination, even in the airport bathrooms.

When it comes to comfort, as previously mentioned, many air travelers make the decision to wear sweat pants and a comfortable top. In addition to being comfortable, you will find, in most cases, that these types of clothes are the best for airport security, especially when entering airport screening checkpoints. This is because most sweat pants are not made with any metal items. Essentially, this means that you should be able to enter the security checkpoint and leave it quicker than most other travelers, such as the travelers who are decked out in accessories.

When it comes to clothing accessories, you will find that a number of different items set off airport metal detectors. That is why most airport security officers request that you remove all of your jewelry. Once your jewelry is removed, you will need to place it in a small bin, which will be scanned right along with your carryon luggage. Whether you have rings or a necklace, you are advised to remove them, if you can. For your convenience, you can leave your earrings on. If by chance, you earrings set the metal detectors off, you will likely be pulled a side and airport security should easily be able to tell whether or not your earring were what set off the alarms.

In addition to jewelry, you will find that your belt may even set off an airport’s metal detector. For that reason, a large number of airports have requested that you remove your belts before entering the metal detectors. Since a large number of travelers wear belts, this is done to help speed up the process of checking each and every passenger. If you do not enjoy removing some of your jewelry or removing your belt, it is advised that you leave those items at home.

Recently, a number of new air travel rules have been implemented. One of those rules requires that all passengers remove their shoes. Your shoes, once removed, will be scanned by an x-ray machine, right along with the rest of your carryon luggage. In recent years, only random passengers were asked to remove their shoes, but now everyone is. For that reason, you will to wear simple shoes that you can easily remove and put back on.

Another air travel rule, recently implemented, is the ban of liquids. This means that adults are no longer allowed to bring a drink onboard, even bottle water. It also means that you are prohibited from placing liquid beauty supplies in your carryon luggage. One concern, made by many women is the allowance of gel or water filled bras. Currently, you are allowed to wear these types of bras onboard an airplane. Honestly, unless you mention it to airport security, there is a good chance that they would never even know.

Since there are really no rules or restrictions on the clothing that you can wear while flying the great skies, you need to choose for yourself. Whether you want to be fashionable or comfortable, it is all up to you.

You can find cheap flights, great info and advices about discount airfares at: Your Cheap Flights

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