Watching the luggage carousel go round and round without your suitcases ever turning up and the crowd growing ever smaller gives every traveller a sickening sinking feeling. Here are a few Wise Traveller tips on what to do next.
Don’t Panic
Easier said than done when you face a holiday with only the clothes you are stood up in and your passport for company.
However, things used to be far worse. In 2007, the world’s airlines lost 18.9 bags per 1,000 passengers. Two years ago that had fallen to 6.9 per 1,000. However, the overall financial impact of lost luggage is still a staggering $2 billion, which carriers annually spend on managing and finding delayed or lost items.
Stats aside, your next move should be to head straight to the lost luggage desk.
File a report
If you haven’t had any joy and your luggage is not miraculously going to turn up, then file a report before leaving the airport. The quicker the report is filed, the swifter the airline can act to find your luggage and reunite it back to you.
Also, call the airline and seek out updates on your lost luggage claim, check their policies on the topic and ensure you keep the pressure on.
Discuss Delivery Options
Ensure the airline has your contact details so it can call you back with any updates. Make sure the airline or its agent has details of where to deliver your luggage: whether at home or your hotel accommodation. You don’t want to waste more time with another trip to the airport to collect your luggage.
Baggage fee reimbursement
Quickly wise up to any reimbursement solutions that are open up to you. Some airlines offer reimbursement if your luggage is delayed at least 12 hours after submitting a claim. So, notifying them as urgently as possible means the airline is on the clock from the get-go.
Filing a claim
When you file a claim, make sure you list all your contents and their value. Even better, take images of your luggage prior to travel so you can provide pictures to help back up your claim and maximize your claim’s worth.
Keep receipts of expenses
Most carriers will reimburse up to $50 a day for five days for incidental expenses due to lost or delayed luggage. Such expenses cover clothing and toiletries. Buy the items you would usually buy, as it is more likely your compensation claim will get approved. Keep all receipts of any purchases to support your compensation claim.
Insurance claims
You may want to consider making a claim either through your credit card company, if that is allowed, or a standalone travel insurance policy through your bank or travel insurer. First, read the T&Cs of your insurers so you know where you stand.
Check for damage
When your bags are returned, check them thoroughly for damage. If the luggage is damaged or things are missing, notify the airline quickly. That means another form and more images of the damaged items for a claim.
Luggage Trackers
If you’re a tech-savvy traveller who doesn’t want to be bothered with all the above, you will have invested in a luggage tracker. The Eufy SmartTrack, Knog Scout Travel Smart Luggage Tag and the Apple AirTag are among the best in the market today. Through these devices and your smartphone, you can check where your luggage is at all times. And hopefully, avoid the carousel sickness feeling in the future.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
