i've done this twice at gatwick. in the bit where you collect your case there was a airline help desk. both my cases were ruined the year before last and they took all my details, asked how much the cases were(which i added a bit) and 2 days later i had 2 samsonite cases delivered to my door completely free of charge. always worth doing.

si-uk

the place to look for in any airport is the claims (or irregularities) desk inside the baggage hall itself and before customs- never leave the hall with a damaged bag and then try to claim. If you check in a damaged bag they should mark the receipt they stick to your boarding card, so if you are still in the baggage hall with an unmarked receipt it shows that the bag was OK when you handed it in - and since it's unlikely you've damaged it yourself in the few feet from the belt to the desk there's less arguement. How they deal with it varies, Lufthansa once taped up a slash in mine and gave me more than enough cash to buy a new one before I left. I suppose others may send the money or a replacemnt later. Even if they say they won't pay, get the forms done because your insurance might but only if the damage is reported to the airline straight away.

this time i will keep a eye out, last years case was a new 1 but after a bad flight etc etc i just wanted to get home lol. i did get told that at manchester they take you into a room full of cases and let you pick 1 out, saying that if it happens this year i wont be happy, it will be 3 in three year. god we only go on holiday once a year lol

It's been a while since I had to claim for damaged luggage but I did get fully reimbursed.
It was at Gatwick airport and a nice customs man (yes he was really nice) helped by pointing me to the
relevant person to deal with the problem.
I was given a claim form which I filled in, and I received a cheque the following week.

Yes I've had 2 hard bodied cases split in transit and had no trouble getting reimbursed the full amount for each shortly afterwards. Always keep your suitcase receipts somewhere safe at home plus keep airline check in baggage labels with reference numbers on and take photos. I no longer buy hard bodied cases. Can't be doing with the hassle any more.

Yes I've had 2 hard bodied cases split in transit and had no trouble getting reimbursed the full amount for each shortly afterwards.

this is about 18months ago.
Friday night found a problem with one case so decided to go out and buy 2 new ones made off hard new shiny stuff and the latest model.
cases packed of to GLASGOW airport on the Monday.
unpack cases at the hotel, pack cases at the hotel, out to the airport, get them at Glasgow airport 2weeks later, one case unbelievably split clothes hanging out, the girl on duty say i think you need a claims form by the looks of the case.
sent for reimbursement for the "pair" as it was a set & got paid for one.
went to the shop none left so couldn't make a match up as a pair again, had to buy two really hard (well solid) ones.

ps. i did cheat a little when i told the lady in the shop what happened and she asked if i still had the receipt and she refunded the one case price