You stand there, watching the last bag revolve on the carousel and yours isn’t there. Not the best way to start your vacation. Unfortunately, lost luggage is an unpleasant byproduct of traveling. While uncommon (less than 1% of bags go missing), when it happens to you, it matters much more than a statistic.
Here are seven tips to thwart the airline from sending your bags on their own vacation without you.
1) Let your bags stand out in a crowd. Select luggage in a bright color or distinct pattern, wrap with bright luggage straps, or use unique, easily identifiable bag tags. The vast majority of bags that are “stolen” aren’t actually stolen. They’re mistakenly grabbed by the wrong traveler because they all look alike!
2) Avoid short layovers when booking your flights. If you’re running through the airport trying to make a tight connection, what chance do your bags have to make the connection?
3) Use sturdy ID tags. Label with your name and a phone number where you can be reached during your trip (cell phone is great if you are bringing it with you). Paper tags are easily torn off or ripped apart.
4) Place a card or note inside your luggage with your name and phone number. If the outside tag is lost or damaged, the airline can contact you to reunite you with your bag.
5) Double check the claim tags when you check your bags. Mistakes happen and sometimes luggage gets tagged with the wrong label.
6) Count your bags before you leave the airport. You’re jetlagged, tired, and distracted. Someone goes to the bathroom, another member of the party heads for currency exchange, someone else “babysits” the bags or hands them over to a skycap to put on a cart. Next thing you know, everyone is headed out the door assuming their bag is in the pile. Oops!
7) Even if the last bag sign arrives and your bag didn’t, don’t assume the worst yet. Head straight for the airline’s luggage counter. There’s a possibility that your bag took an earlier flight and is waiting for YOU. Or, perhaps it is arriving later. Regardless, do not leave the airport without either the bag or a claim filed.
Do you have any additional suggestions or tips for avoiding lost bags? I’d love to hear them.
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