Whether you take air flights for business, or holidays and vacations, you have probably lost luggage or know of a person that has. Here are some travel tips that may help you prevent this happening.
It has been estimated that more than a million bags are lost by the airlines each year in the U.S. alone. How many bags get lost in the whole world is anybody's guess. Here are a few tips that might help you find your bags should they get lost.
Attach two or three tags with your name, home address, and phone number to the handle and the zipper-pulls of each bag that you are checking. There is less of a chance that all of the tags could get torn off during transit. You should make sure that you have removed any old airline tags that are still attached to the luggage you're checking as they could confuse the baggage handlers.
Be sure to place the same contact information, including a copy of your itinerary and your destination address inside each piece luggage. That way, if they do get lost and are found in time, they could be forwarded to your hotel.
Pick luggage with a bright or odd color that will stand out among the numerous black and brown bags. Know the brand name of the luggage that you have and attach a colorful ribbon or scarf to the handle to make identification easier. Stick some decals or a contrasting colored tape to every side of the bags so they are easier to spot as the carousel goes around. Try to remember these details, or better still, take a photo of your luggage just before you go and bring it with you. This can help the lost luggage staff at the airport in locating your bags if they are lost in transit and show up at their office. It will also help when you have to make a claim.
It can help if you make a list of what you have in your luggage and carry that list in you carry-on bag. The chance of your checked luggage getting lost in transit increases when you have delayed, or connecting flights. Pack your valuables, including your laptop or Blackberry, travel documents, prescriptions, etc., in your carry-on luggage. It's best to pack only the things you can afford to lose in your checked baggage. Analysts believe the airline industry's problem of lost luggage is not going to go away anytime soon.
What can you do your luggage gets lost?
Go immediately to the baggage claim office and file your claim. Many airlines have a twenty-four hour window of time starting from when your flight arrives to file a claim and be eligible for compensation. Get a claim receipt and check the tracking of your luggage with the airline by phone, or on the airline's website. Make sure you keep all your flight documents until the lost luggage problem has been resolved.
How can you guarantee that your luggage will not be lost by the airlines?
There are a number of companies that will send your luggage in the U.S., such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL, directly to your hotel or destination address for a reasonable cost. If you are staying in a hotel, your luggage will be brought to your room. When you consider that in the U.S. alone, well over a million bags are lost by the airlines every year, this service may be well worth considering. If you are traveling by air through Europe, FirstLuggage.com, has a similar service.
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