Airlines Losing Your Luggage?

Posted September 23, 2011 By admin

Piece Luggage

It is estimated that more than a million bags are lost by commercial airlines each year in the United States alone. How much luggage that get lost in the whole world is anybody's guess. Here are some tips that may help you recover your bags if they are ever 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.

If you can, pick luggage with preferably a bright or odd color that will stand out from all of the black and brown bags. Know the brand name of the luggage that you own and attach a colorful scarf or ribbon to the handle to make identification easier. Stick a few decals or a contrasting colored tape to all of the sides of the bags so they can be easier to see as it goes around the carousel. Remember these details, or even better, take a digital picture of your luggage just before you leave and bring it with you. This will also help the lost luggage airport staff in finding your bags if they become lost in transit and turn up at their office. It will also help if you have to make a claim.

It helps to make a list of what you have in your luggage and carry that list in you carry-on bag. The chance of your luggage getting lost in transit increases dramatically when you have connecting, or delayed flights. Always pack all of your valuables, including your laptop or Blackberry, travel documents, prescriptions, etc., in your carry-on bag. It makes sense to pack only the things you can afford to lose in your checked baggage. Most analysts believe that the airline industry's problem of lost luggage is not going to be resolved anytime soon.

What should 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 the airlines won't lose your luggage?

There are some companies like FedEx, UPS or DHL, that can send your luggage in the U.S. directly to your hotel or street address for a very reasonable cost. If you're staying at a hotel, your luggage will be taken to your room by a bellboy. When you consider that in the United States alone, over a million bags are lost by the airlines each year, this service is well worth considering. If you are planning to travel by air throughout Europe, FirstLuggage.com, provides a similar service.