Tips to avoid or recover missing baggage

It is terribly frustrating to land at an airport and realize that your baggage is nowhere to be found. You are left clueless regarding your belongings and wondering whether life could get worse than this. To avoid such undesirable situations, it is crucial to bear certain important tips in mind.

How to avoid possibilities of missing luggage?

Focus on packing bare necessities as carry-on luggage

This is the only way you can guarantee that your belongings will always be with you if you do not wish to check in your luggage. If you are going for a short trip of 2 or 3 days, consider carrying only the essentials.

Tag your luggage properly

Ensure that you tag your luggage with correct information. It can be helpful if you include your contact number with the details. Tie colorful ribbons in unique patterns to your luggage to make them more apparent and easy to spot and identify.

Check in early at the airport

Checking in early allows you to undergo security checks conveniently. Similarly, it also gives the airport crew sufficient time to place your luggage properly in the right flight.

Exclude connecting flights

Think twice before booking connecting flights. There is always a slight possibility that connecting flights may lead to unwanted complications. Connecting flights share codes, but they do not have accreditation for luggage service. Hence, it is better if you can simply avoid them and stick to booking direct flights.

What do you do when you realize that your baggage is missing?

Wait patiently or submit all necessary forms

Take immediate action if you do not spot your luggage on the carousel. Approach the airline crew for a valid explanation. At times, they will locate your baggage immediately, but there may be times when you will have to wait for long hours. If time permits you to wait for your baggage, it is advisable to wait patiently. However, if you are pressed for time, fill out the necessary forms that can enable the airline to deliver the baggage to your house or hotel.

Inquire how the airline can compensate

If your baggage is missing, some airlines extend a helping hand by offering you some cash to buy certain essentials like toiletries. You can also get some coupons that can be used to obtain clothes or equipments.

If you receive your luggage in damaged condition, some airlines will repair your damaged bag or replace it to solve the problem on the spot.

File a claim

File a claim if your bags are untraceable. Also, applying for travel insurance and credit card companies that cover lost or damage luggage can prove to be beneficial.

Written by Vinay Shingornikar of Flight Network