You are waiting at the luggage carousel watching bags disappear with their owners when you start to feel anxious…you haven’t seen your luggage and there doesn’t appear to be anymore coming down the chute. Now what? Is your bag lost, delayed? What are the next steps you should take when your baggage doesn’t arrive with you at the airport….
Contact the luggage specialist for your airline as soon as possible
Most airlines have an office near the luggage carousels for just these kind of issues. Pop into your airline’s office, explain you haven’t seen your luggage and produce your luggage bar code (received when you checked your luggage in). Airlines are responsible for locating a bag that hasn’t arrived at its proper destination. Using a tracking system, 9 times out of 10, they can quickly find the location of your bag. *Many airlines have added tracking luggage as part of the airline app. If you have the airline’s app on your phone, you may be able to track the location of your lost/delayed bag as well.
You may be asked to file a claim and leave information with the baggage office so that your luggage can be delivered directly to you soon after it arrives at the proper airport.
Make sure to take the office’s phone number so as to stay in close communication with them throughout the baggage location process.
Most of the time, the luggage is located quickly and you will have your bags in your hands within 24-36 hours. According to the US Department of Transportation, “Airlines are required to compensate passengers for reasonable, verifiable, and actual incidental expenses that may occur while the bags are located, subject to maximum liability requirements.”
Keep in mind that you may have to file a claim with the airline and they may require receipts and proof of expenses.
When is a bag classified as lost?
This can take a while…sometimes up to 14 days after the flight. Whether the bag is officially declared lost depends on several factors as well: domestic vs. international flights, the tracking system for that specific airline company and were there multiple carrier (did you fly on more than one company of airline?). If you flew on more than one carrier, the decision has to be made regarding which company is the responsible party for the lost piece of luggage.
While the Department of Transportation does enforce action against airlines that refuse to consider a bag lost after an unreasonable amount of time, that specific amount of time varies from airline to airline.
Once officially deemed lost, the airline is required to compensate the passenger for the contents of the bag and reimburse you for any baggage fees you paid to the airline to transport your luggage in the first place. You may need to produce receipts for items (clothing, toiletries, accessories, valuables).
What can I do to prevent losing my bag?
It can be difficult to prevent a delayed or lost bag, but you can do small things to assist yourself when preparing to travel.
Pack in a way to help you avoid issues. Keep valuables, irreplaceable items, medicines, keys, passport and other important identification documents in your carry on bag. (Keep in mind the specifics for traveling with items deemed dangerous – TSA has a full list of what can and cannot be carried onto a plane…in all honesty, if you don’t desperately need the item while on holiday, leave it at home!) However, should the plane be full and your carry on must be gate checked, make sure your valuables and necessary items are packed in such a way that you can quickly remove them and carry them on your person instead: perhaps in a small flexible bag that could easily be placed under the seat in front of you.
If you have really quick lay-overs, this can be a prime time for luggage to not make the next plane. Sometimes, you can run quicker through an airport that your bag can make it from one plane to the next. Keep that in mind when planning your itinerary: sometimes a longer layover is a safer bet. Keep the things that you will need in the first 24 hours of your trip in your carry on; that way, should your bag be delayed, you have the essential items to start your trip while you await the deliver of your luggage.
*Check with your airline on the limits on the size, weight, and number of carry-on pieces. While most flights allow one carry-on bag plus one personal item, like your purse, laptop computer bag or camera bag, it is not always the case. So make sure to check on the specifics before going to the airport. In the same manner, check on the details for your checked luggage as well. It varies from company to company so make sure you are prepared!
The bags you check should be labeled both inside and out with your name, phone number and email. It would be advisable to add the name and number of someone to contact at your destination as well, if possible. We would suggest adding the address of the hotel or location you are staying at inside the bag as well, for ease of finding you once the luggage arrives. As part of the Here2There program with Lifestyle Benefits Club, you automatically receive a set of sturdy and luxurious luggage tags, perfect for keeping your bags labeled and safe.
If you are traveling with a special item, like a musical instrument, golf clubs or other fragile things, pack them in a proper container. There are loads of specifically designed containers available for properly shipping your fragile items, so take the time to find something to make the traveling process less traumatic on your luggage.
Lastly, don’t over pack your bags. The pressure on the latches can cause it to burst open and who wants to see their intimate things all over the luggage carousel?
Is there a way to have peace of mind about losing my luggage?
Losing luggage can be stressful and time consuming. Making sure you have Lost, Damaged, or Delayed Baggage protection is a quick and easy way to provide you with peace of mind. Programs like Here2There provide stellar protection and quick reimbursement while you wait to have your claim looked at by your airline.
When the unfortunate happens, make sure you are covered completely. Find out more about Lifestyle Benefits Club, the membership club offering its members over $1 million dollars worth of protection benefits and saving the average member over $2,000 a year.
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