According to Monarch Airlines’ Terms and Conditions I must inform them about my ripped Samonsite suitcase at the airport (didn’t notice it – tiredness I suppose due to a 4 hour flight delay) OR I have to write to Monarch Airlines Ltd, Baggage Services Dept, Prospect House, Prospect Way, London Luton Airport, LU2 9NU, OR ring 0844 481 5496 within 7 days. Now how am I supposed to do this from Lanzarote?
Can you imagine a letter actually getting from Lanzarote to Luton Airport within 7 days? And what about if four of the days are bank holidays? Not a hope. Now what about making a telephone call to 0844 481 5496? Well it might be possible if Monarch provided an international number but no such luck, only a UK number is provided. I suspect that no one from Monarch has ever really thought this one through.
Using my initiative and unable to inform Monarch any other way I’ve filled in their online "contact us form" and told them about the suitcase, twice. So now I have two reference numbers for the same problem, 371271 and 371354 and on both occasions an acknowledgement with "we shall respond to your enquiry within the next …" that’s it folks, a blank area – infinity, who knows. In the meantime, and now 10 days later, Mr Blog has purchased some superglue and stuck down the ripped areas. I was beginning to wonder which would happen first, the temporary repair by Mr Blog or a reply from Monarch.
I’m not at all sure if the suitcase will survive the flight home. We will just have to wait … and wait …. and wait … and see what Monarch say. And as to their unreasonable terms and conditions…
 One of the rips in my Samsonite suitcase |
 Another of the rips in my Samsonite suitcase |
 And the Spanish "superglue". Another Spanish word for Mr Blog’s vocabulary list |
Actually I’m quite impressed how well my Samsonite suitcase coped with being attacked by what appears to be a very sharp object.
Mrs Blog – you could have emailed your letter to a friend in the UK to print and post it
Good idea, perhaps Monarch could incorporate emailing a letter to a friend in their terms and conditions. Then all that’s needed is a good solicitor to verify it’s authenticity. A possible new job for you Justin!
Things are looking up, I’ve now heard from Monarch offering to pay for my bag to be shrink wrapped on the journey home. All I have to do now is to find out if Arrecife airport has a shrink wrap machine. It’s always good to communicate with a “real” person offering “real” advice rather than a computer.
No shrink wrap facility at Arrecife airport so used the DIY option – parcel tape