F American Airlines. I just came back from a bike trip at Salt Lake City and flew American Airlines. The end result is a broken 2019 Trek Madone SLR7 Disc frame that American Airlines refuses to take responsibility for. Why? Because I didn't file a claim within 24 hours of my flight. The bike was in an Evoc Travel Bag Pro and packed per Evoc's, and for that matter, American Airlines instructions. I didn't see the damage, which was a crushed seatstay, until it was too late. Now I'm out around $4000. The only upside is that they broke it on the way back from SLC so I at least got to ride there.
AA gives themselves another out if your bike isn't in a hard case too. Here's their policy for bike transport:
Allowance and requirements
You can travel with 1 non-motorized touring, mountain, tandem, or racing bicycle if the:
- Bicycle is in a hard-sided case, bicycle bag or box built for bicycle transport
- Handlebars are fixed sideways
- Pedals are removed; or
- Pedals and handlebars are wrapped in plastic foam or a similar material
Please note that if your bicycle is not in a hard-sided case, it will be treated as a fragile item.
Here is the response from AA:
Thanks for contacting our Central Baggage Resolution Office. I am sorry your bicycle was damaged in Rochester.
I reviewed our records and found that you traveled from Salt Lake City to Rochester on *August 24, 2020. You notified us of your damage bicycle on August 27, 2020.
While I am sorry for any inconvenience, because we didn't receive notification within the required timeframe of 24 hours, I'm unable to honor your claim.
You may visit
https://www.aa.com/...jsp#baggageliability to learn more about our Conditions of Carriage. The information for report time is under time limit liability.
Despite what happened, we hope to see you on another American Airlines flight soon. We’ll do our best to provide the experience you expect.
If anyone has any tips or advice for fighting this I'd love to hear them.