Luggage in a bright color makes it easier to spot.
Flying right now is pretty tricky, and that includes the problem of lost luggage. Most of it is in the system pretty quickly, but it’s no fun being in a stressful situation that affects your ride.
To avoid losing your luggage, travel light and pack it whenever you can. Also, try to book direct flights, although that is often not possible. And if you arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare, your checked luggage is more likely to be placed on your plane.
But even when you do your best, sometimes the dreaded empty baggage carousel goes round and round with you just standing there, realizing your suitcase with the yellow tape isn’t going to show up. And that?
As lost luggage becomes even more common for travelers in 2022, the travel experts at Bounce have revealed their top tips on what to do if your luggage goes missing.
Five suggestions:
Contact the airline
Instead of the airport, contact the airline first and do so as soon as possible. There is usually an airline representative at the airport; if not, get their contact information and call. Be prepared to complete a lost baggage report that describes the model, make, and color of your baggage. Keeping these kinds of travel-related details on your smartphone will help if there’s ever an emergency.
Ask for your luggage to be delivered
When you speak with someone from the airline, ask them to deliver your luggage, either to your home or to the accommodation at your vacation destination. The airline in question must always offer this service; however, double check when the process will take place and other details, and write them down. To control the delivery of your baggage, exchange contact details with the airline and request a tracking number.
Ask for a refund
If you lose your baggage, you may be able to request reimbursement for checked baggage charges. If your luggage is delayed or lost, the airline has 21 days to find and deliver it to you. If you retrieve your baggage within 21 days, you can still claim delayed baggage compensation. If you don’t, you can make a lost baggage claim. Check the policies of your airlines.
Save any receipt
If you’re out of luggage for several days, you’ll likely need to buy things like clothes, toiletries, and other essentials to keep you going until you get it back. Keep your receipts, as you should be compensated for them.
Check your insurance
Different insurance policies will have different coverages; check whether your travel insurance covers lost luggage or not. Otherwise, check your homeowners insurance or the credit card you used to book the flight, as they sometimes have lost baggage benefits as well. If lost luggage has been a problem for you, it’s worth considering insurance coverage.
Check your luggage when you return
You’ll probably get your luggage back; when you do, be sure to check it thoroughly for damage and missing items. If damaged or missing items are found, the airline must repair or replace them. Keeping a list of all the items you pack and a photographic record of some of the more expensive ones would help in this process.
