Another option for delayed baggage coverage for travel

[KD5MDK]

I just found this link on a frequent traveller site I visit and it looks like it might be useful to some people. I have frequently heard stories of fencers whose checked baggage was lost or delayed by airlines up to the point where they needed to purchase new gear in order to fence. In all the cases I can recall, the person said they were going to make the airline pay for their replacement gear. I do not know if they have a 100% success rate or not with that.

In case people are not confident of that, or desire extra assurance, I see that American Express is offering premium baggage insurance to their card members for flights purchased on their AmEx card:
https://www152.americanexpress.com/f...age/product.do

I looked over the terms and it looks like it would cover fencing equipment. It also covers stolen items and electronics from your luggage. It's a $10 premium per trip and covers $500 for baggage delayed for 3 hours or more and $1000 for lost baggage. $500 isn't enough to replace a full set of gear for many people, I suspect though.

Other credit card companies may make similar offers, or it may be available from travel insurance companies. Do people have particular travel or baggage insurance they use or have had particularly good experiences with?
I've never used it myself, but it might be worthwhile if I could get it to cover lost gear for tournaments if I flew to them.

[alpine]

It's a $10 premium per trip...

Trouble is, the $10 is billed to every ticket purchased with the enrolled AmEx card. It would be nice if one could "opt in" for only the flights where you felt the insurance might be useful.

[flechewounds]

I just found this link on a frequent traveller site I visit and it looks like it might be useful to some people. I have frequently heard stories of fencers whose checked baggage was lost or delayed by airlines up to the point where they needed to purchase new gear in order to fence. In all the cases I can recall, the person said they were going to make the airline pay for their replacement gear. I do not know if they have a 100% success rate or not with that.

In case people are not confident of that, or desire extra assurance, I see that American Express is offering premium baggage insurance to their card members for flights purchased on their AmEx card:
https://www152.americanexpress.com/f...age/product.do

I looked over the terms and it looks like it would cover fencing equipment. It also covers stolen items and electronics from your luggage. It's a $10 premium per trip and covers $500 for baggage delayed for 3 hours or more and $1000 for lost baggage. $500 isn't enough to replace a full set of gear for many people, I suspect though.

Other credit card companies may make similar offers, or it may be available from travel insurance companies. Do people have particular travel or baggage insurance they use or have had particularly good experiences with?
I've never used it myself, but it might be worthwhile if I could get it to cover lost gear for tournaments if I flew to them.

The best "baggage insurance" is to carry-on mask, uniform, body cords, shoes, and fencing undergarments. That way, if the bag disappears (or is delayed), its only blades (which can be purchased - they'll eventually get used - or borrowed) and street clothes (WalMarts/Targets are cheap and ubiquitous if you need some emergency stuff).

I started doing this when I saw my bag on a moving truck on the tarmac as the plane was taxiing out of the gate. I rang the flight attendant bell and they stopped the plane and put it on... amazing... but from then on, it's mask+ as carryon, other stuff as checked.

[KD5MDK]

That does work. Is there any trouble with the lower carry-on baggage restrictions in Europe that you've found?

Trouble is, the $10 is billed to every ticket purchased with the enrolled AmEx card. It would be nice if one could "opt in" for only the flights where you felt the insurance might be useful.

While I agree, I suspect that insurance would be much more expensive.

I was also hoping people who have found a travel insurance provider who meets their needs for fencing might share it.

[flechewounds]

That does work. Is there any trouble with the lower carry-on baggage restrictions in Europe that you've found?



While I agree, I suspect that insurance would be much more expensive.

I was also hoping people who have found a travel insurance provider who meets their needs for fencing might share it.

It can be a bit dicey, but I can get daughter's full set of whites, mask, lames (2), body cords, shoes, etc., in a smallish sports/duffel bag. Usually, her backpack (with schoolbooks) is a bigger challenge than her fencing equipment.

I'm really trying to help her learn to pack light (a bigger challenge than you may think). That is really the key.

[teacup]

The smaller European carry on restrictions are the most challenging for student fencers who travel by themselves when they have to take their fencing gear plus their homework, books, computer, etc.

[Inquartata]

I can fit everything except my sabres into a carry-on bag, like a tennis bag. This includes mask, shoes, socks, jacket, knickers, plastron, glove, lame ( sometimes 2 of them ), body and mask cords, and sundry small items like sweatbands, a t-shirt, and so on. If I disassemble the sabres, I can fit all but the blades.

I carry everything else I need in a small backpack. This leaves my fencing bag for blades and clothes, spare mask and lame, etc.

I have not ever had the carry-on bag challenged, either on domestic or international flights. ( And from what I have seen, if a plane runs out of overhead bin space or makes a passenger check a carry-on item he is not charged a bag fee for it. I am not even sure it goes into the checked-bag system for routing, or is just carried down to the hold by airline personnel. )