Статья из NYT для intermediate и выше с подсказками на русском

FOR a vacation to Italy in June, Dominique Linchet had packed everything she thought her family of four would need when they arrived. But when they stepped off their flight in Rome, the suitcases they had checked (здесь: сдали в багаж) were missing.
After filing a claim with the airline (после подачи жалобы на авиакомпанию) and being reassured (заверений) by an airlines employee that they would be reimbursed (возмещать) for half of the expenses incurred (понесенных расходов) because of the delay, the family shopped for bare necessities (самое необходимое).
“Underwear (нижнее белье) is not easy to find in Rome,” said Ms. Linchet, “except for the high-end kind (очень дорогой категории).” Finding clothes that would fit her husband, whom she describes as “a big American guy,” proved (оказалось) difficult as well.
The Linchets ultimately (в конечном итоге) spent 2,300 euros on everything from bathing suits to tennis gear (экипировка для тенниса) as the days passed and the bags remained lost. “I think we were pretty good at just buying what we needed,” Ms. Linchet said. “When you think about it, 2,300 euros for four people is not outrageous (чрезмерно), but it was about $3,000 more than we had planned on spending.”
Finally, nine days into the trip, the Linchets were reunited with (дословно: воссоединились с) all of their luggage, thanks in large part to repeated visits to the airport to search for their belongings (шмотки/пожитки).
But as August wore on, they still hadn’t yet received any compensation for their inconvenience (неудобство) in June. “What is the airlines’ responsibility in such a situation, and what are the travelers’ options in making sure that this responsibility is fulfilled (возможности добиться того, чтобы эти обязательства были выполнены)?” Ms. Linchet said.
It’s a question on many travelers’ minds these days as reports of mishandled luggage (здесь: багаж, который неверно оформили) continue to increase.
The answer largely depends on the carrier (компании-перевозчика). Most will pay for reasonable expenses (обоснованные расходы) you incur (несете) while your bag is missing, but specifics are often vague (неясны/смутны). For example, if you are traveling away from home on United (название авиакомпании), its Web site says, it “may consider up to 50 percent reimbursement (возмещение) of the necessities purchased (купленных самых необходимых вещей), taking into account (учитывая) your ability to use the new items in the future.”
Other airlines state (заявляют) that they will attempt to return your luggage within 24 hours but make no promises about reimbursing you for your costs.
Airlines are required to pay valid claims (удовлетворять обоснованные претензии) for luggage that is never returned, but the Transportation Department doesn’t specify (уточняет) how much. In fact, liability rules (правила, регулирующие ответственность) favor (содействуют) the airlines, not the passengers.
On international round trips (поездки в оба конца) that originate in the United States, the allowable liability limit (допустимое ограничение ответственности) is set by a treaty (соглашением) called the Montreal Convention at roughly $1,500, depending on the exchange rate of the dollar against foreign currencies.
When Air France misplaced her bag for her entire weeklong trip in Europe last month, Rebecca Bernstein, 13, N.J., spent $564 to furnish herself with clothing, luggage and toiletries. Her father, Peter A. Bernstein, a marketing communications consultant, paid for the items and eventually received an apology letter and a note saying he would be getting a check for the full cost.
BUT that was only after he made multiple long-distance calls to the airline’s Paris office, wrote a letter to the airline detailing the issue, and eventually tracked down (отыскал) the assistant to an Air France executive (управленец высшего звена) to hear his case.
His daughter’s lost bag eventually made its way to Mr. Bernstein after she returned home. “A guy shows up in a station wagon loaded with bags and proceeds to drop off a green bag,” Mr. Bernstein recalled. “My daughter’s is black. I look at the guy and say, ‘You’ve got to be kidding. That’s not her bag.’ ” Mr. Bernstein ended up digging the right bag out of the back of the vehicle.
For those who don’t mind paying for convenience, companies with names like Luggage Express, Luggage Forward and Virtual Bellhop will pick up and deliver bags, bypassing (в обход) the airline baggage system altogether (совсем). Prices vary depending on a bag’s weight, destination and shipping time.
Luggage Express charges an average of $89, for example, to send a duffel bag (брезентовый мешок) weighing up to 40 pounds one way ahead within the United States, with three to five days of shipping time. Overnight delivery (доставка за сутки) costs $137.
You can also buy travel insurance (страховку для туристов) to protect yourself if your bag is lost or delayed. American Express, for example, charges cardholders $5.75 a trip for up to $500 against loss or damage (на случай потери или ущерба) to your checked (checked baggage – сдаваемый багаж) or carry-on (ручная кладь) bags and up to $200 for replacing personal items when bags are delayed six hours or more.