Travelers who’ve lost or damaged a suitcase have options for recovering those items by knowing what to do and being patient during their time at the airport as those will be the hardest hours of dealing with missing or damaged luggage.
Airlines ARE responsible for tracking baggage.
Tracking systems operate around the world, which means airline companies usually have your luggage on a “misplaced” list until they contact you. Airlines may ask you to give them for a period of time to check multiple flights, storage facilities, or connecting legs of a trip before informing you if they have actually recovered your bag.
Although it can be frustrating and requires patience, most bags will eventually turn up, but you may think they come running back down the terminal as if they were a dog who just got caught stealing food off someone’s dinner table.
Keep in mind that ALL Airlines have terms of service regarding compensation.
Some Airlines offer a limited amount of reimbursement for personal items purchased while waiting for the return of misplaced or damaged luggage; therefore, it is in your best interest to retain all purchase receipts, including any items you panicked and purchased while at the airport (yes, this includes your emergency toothbrush).
When You Make Your Travel Arrangements, Look for a Direct Flight
According to the founder of a well-known flight bargain hunting web site, bags are lost most frequently in transit, especially when a person has to switch planes at the last minute. Additionally, the more times an airline requires a passenger to switch from on flight to another, the more likely that passenger will experience delayed baggage.
Document Your Luggage and Contents with Photos
It may sound excessive, but airlines always ask for: The color of your suitcase? The contents of your suitcase? The brand of your suitcase? The size of your suitcase?
Photos make you look like the most organized person in the universe.
Take Advantage of Bag Tracking Tools
Most airlines have bag tracking through their app. If your airline doesn’t offer this, independent tracking services do exist.
Knowing your bag is in Dubai while you’re in Singapore is strange but comforting!
Place an ID Tag inside the Bag as Well
Why inside? The outside tag is notorious for disappearing—the same way many of your socks disappear from your laundry.
Consider Shipping Some of Your Items to Your Destination
Shipping items to your hotel can be safer than checking luggage—just make sure you call the hotel before you arrive so that the box doesn’t sit in the lobby all alone, wondering where you are.
Check Your Bag in Early
Travelers United warns about late drop-offs for bags, because late drop-offs seem like an invitation for an airline to lose your luggage.
Pack Your Valuables in Your Carry-On
TSA stated this clearly: Do Not put any type of valuables in checked luggage. Therefore, do not put jewellery, electronics, passports, etc. in your checked luggage.
Make Sure Your Bag Tag Is Correct
If you were flying to Bangkok, for instance, and your tag read “Bali,” your luggage would arrive in Bali.
Assuming Your Luggage Is Missing, Here’s What to Do Next:
- Look on Other Carousels Nearby
- Go Immediately to the Airline’s Baggage Service Desk
Most luggage that misses a flight will arrive at a later time.
- Let the Airline Track Your Selected Location
The airline will search for your luggage at airports and other baggage handling locations, which may take longer than 24 hours.
- File an Insurance Claim When Appropriate
Regardless of the type of lost, delayed, or damaged luggage, you are entitled to follow the airline’s reimbursement process.
Losing or damaging your luggage during a trip could have a significant negative impact on your vacation. However, with a few simple steps prior to your trip and a plan of action should you lose your luggage, it is much easier to deal with the inconvenience. You should never feel the need to panic when dealing with luggage.
