To anyone that knows anyone that had traveled the route above in the last week... the bags are still in Florence. United partnered w Lufthansa, who partnered w Dolomiti for the Florence/Frankfurt leg. Supposedly the heat on the runway impacted load capacities - so Dolomiti loaded zero bags on any flights that day. The United baggage tracking system lost the bags at Florence. So when you call United, they have no idea where the bag is, but they say "we'll notify" Lufthansa. Lufthansa is then supposed to go to Dolomiti and ask WTF. Whether or not they're doing that, nothing is getting back to United or Lufthansa.

Fortunately, when we arrived in Houston, someone had an Apple Tile in their bag and saw their bag was still in Florence; suggesting all of the travelers with this itinerary bags were still in Florence. Due to the technological advancements, United is physically unable to pick up a phone and CALL Florence to ask WTF.

Come to find out the Florence airport has a lost and found number that MAY be able to assist. United is absolutely zero help in this situation. Fortunately, we had family still in the area, after 5 hours of arguing at the Florence airport they were able to get the bag released and will get the bag home on a different itinerary.

Supposedly there are north of 1000 bags sitting in a shed in Florence right now; which they havent even begun to sift through. If you do the math at $1900 per lost bag liability, there could be more than $2mm in claims liability that zero people are doing anything about.

So, if something like this happens to you:
- still go through all the brain damage with United, to perfect your claim rights
- if you end up exercising a claim, United did commit to $1900 per ticketed passenger on the itinerary - even though it was only one bag
- you should be able to get $200 per person for interim clothes/toiletries
- call/correspond the actual airport lost and found - maybe you'll reach a human with a soul
- call/correspond with all carriers involved - maybe you'll reach a human with a soul

Before you go, strongly consider one of the Tile things.

This might be a good thread to share any other tips/tricks.

My experience with United's baggage folks was pretty miserable too. I was calling over a weekend after they lost one of my bags on a non-stop flight to Grand Cayman. Throughout Saturday and Sunday, I spoke numerous times with their helpful customer service associates that sounded like they were in India or Ukraine depending on what time of day I called. All they could tell me was that the bag had been checked in at Houston IAH (yes, thanks, I know that because I was there...).

When I asked how they would get my bag to me, since I had taken a puddle jumper on Cayman Airways over to Little Cayman, they assured me it would come on the next flight. Only problem, they only fly IAH-GCM on Saturdays, so it would come in on the plane I would be leaving on, and they don't fly to Little Cayman at all. And they repeatedly assured me that a driver would bring my bag to me from the Grand Cayman airport. No problem...as long as the guy is driving a boat or a sub, because there are 75 miles of open water between our hotel on Little Cayman and Grand Cayman.

Finally, first thing on Monday morning I was able to talk to somebody actually at the airport in Houston and they got it fixed right away and the bag arrived midday on Tuesday. My experience was that the customer service folks on the phone after hours will accomplish nothing, and basically know nothing beyond what is displayed on their computer screen. They won't lift a finger to try to find anything out and are just there to give you a voice to talk to until somebody else is able to work on it weekdays between 9am and 5pm in the US. Keep calling different #s until you reach somebody on the ground where your bags were last seen and then go from there.

TL;DR Don't waste your time on the phone with customer service people in other countries. Call local #s until you get somebody actually at the airport.

Apple air tags. Put them in your bags. When you get where you are going, put them on your person, or your kids. They make necklace holders for kids, or put them in a purse. Makes meeting up in a popular tourist spot much easier. Very handy tool.

I flew United internationally for the first time in 20 years (had a miserable experience to Australia) this past week because of schedule limitations. I was reminded why I don't fly them anywhere. Their employees suck, never again (maybe in another 20 years but hopefully not)

Flew out of Heathrow on United yesterday. While sitting on the plane at the gate they informed us that Heathrow's baggage system went down and they would be leaving some bags behind.

My general rule with checked bags is don't put anything in the belly that can't be replaced, or that you will meet within 48 hours of arrival.

This rule has never failed me.

The conversation with united after they have admitted the bag is unaccounted for should be nothing more than submitting a claim form for the maximum reasonable amount of liability.

I fly for work fairly frequently into LHR, CDG, amd AMS. If you have a two hour layover I would put it about 50/50 if your bag makes it on the plane. Hour to hour and half....pretty much forget about your bag making it on your flight. All the major European airports are seriously screwed up right now with ground staff.

We heard of all this and decided carry on only for our trip to Italy and France.

Highly suggest eBags backpack and carry on size wheeled luggage. Makes you rethink your wardrobe and stay at places with washing service or machines.