When you’re planning a dream vacation, never underestimate the amount of planning that goes into ensuring things run smoothly. From making a packing list to getting your passports, you can quickly end up with a million items on your to-do list.
One of the biggest planning pitfalls that vacationers fall into is forgetting to secure their luggage before traveling. This often leads to confusion, dismay, and potentially hundreds of dollars spent to replace what you’ve lost.
No one wants to start their vacation this way, so it’s time to make a game plan so that you don’t end up in this annoying situation. Want to know how to keep your luggage from getting lost? Keep on reading, because we’ve got a few tips guaranteed for success.
Take off Old Tags and Stickers
Few travelers remember this key step, but this is a tip you can put into action before you even make it to the airport. On your way out the door, be sure to remove any old airline tags or faded stickers, leaving your luggage looking brand-new.
This can help to avoid any confusion at the airport, as multiple tags can lead the employees (or internal systems) to register your luggage under the wrong information. So instead of meeting you at your next destination, your luggage will have made its way to your previous vacation spot.
If you tend to be in a rush in the days leading up to your trip, we’d suggest removing the airline tags or stickers as soon as you return. That way, you can prep for your next vacation without having to worry about missing this step.
Plan for an Early Check-in
Checking in early is one of the biggest flight hacks that no one is using. It may be a hassle to get through traffic, get parked, and make your way into the airport, but trust us when we say that the results will be oh-so worth it.
Checking in early gives you plenty of free time to make sure that you have all of your items sorted out beforehand. In that same vein, it gives employees time to get your luggage put away without getting caught up in the rush.
When you or the airline employees are forced to move quickly, this can lead to more frequent mistakes. This includes lost luggage, so we’d strongly recommend getting to the airport with plenty of time to spare.
Keep an Eye on Your Bag
Whether you’re a frequent flier or only vacation once in a while, no one should be above using this tip. Although it may seem paranoid, watching your bag as it goes down the conveyor belt can give you an extra layer of security.
To make it to the correct destination, your luggage will have to start off down the right path. This means that one step in the wrong direction can send your bags to an airport on the other side of the world.
So when the baggage handler sends your luggage down the line, you’ll want to make sure that it goes the right way. Once you’re sure it’s gone toward the appropriate holding area, you can breathe a sigh of relief and prepare to board your flight.
Get a Luggage Tag That Stands Out
If you want to avoid luggage mix-ups, there are plenty of ways to distinguish your bag from those of other fliers. For example, getting a colorful luggage tag is a great way to ensure no one accidentally grabs your bag.
Putting your information on the luggage tag is always a great choice, but the design of the tag itself is more likely to draw attention. After all, most travelers never read the information on the tag unless they have reason to think something’s strange.
For added protection, we recommend getting a luggage tag in a neon color that no one can mistake for their own. Extra points if you can find a bright tag that also features a distinct design, as this guarantees you’ll be set apart from the others.
Identification Inside Your Luggage
The number 1 mistake we see among travelers, tourists, and frequent fliers – putting your information on the outside of your luggage. Stop making this beginner mistake, and you can trust that your bags will be safe and sound.
Putting your identification on the inside of your luggage adds security that’s likely to last indefinitely. Unless your luggage ends up getting completely soaked, putting your information inside can ensure that you’ll be reunited with your lost bags.
If someone ends up taking your bag by mistake, they’ll quickly realize it once they’ve settled in and started unpacking. As soon as the bag is open, they’ll not only find all of your missing items, but they’ll have all the information they need to get it back to you.
Buy Smart Luggage Tags
As technology has grown and developed over the years, the travel industry has been changing right along with it. One of the most helpful tech advancements has been the advent of smart luggage tags, an essential for travelers who hate losing their bags.
Smart luggage tags use the same technology as cell phone systems such as Find My iPhone to help travelers track their bags. While these items typically vary widely in price, we’d say it’s more than worth it to keep your belongings secure.
To prevent baggage loss, just attach the tag to your luggage before handing it over to the airline employees. As you enjoy a smooth flight, you can rest knowing exactly where your bags are at all times.
Get Rid of Any Loose Straps
If you have any loose straps hanging from your bags, it’s a good idea to take them off before giving your luggage to the airline staff. If not, there’s a strong chance that you could end up losing your bags in the process.
Getting a bag with loose or hanging straps can be a recipe for disaster, as it’s more than likely that you’re not the only one. Unfortunately, this means that your luggage straps can easily get tangled up in that of others.
Tangled bags have a greater likelihood of falling off the conveyor belt, which of course means that they don’t end up on the flight, as planned. At best, they end up on the airline floor and cause a flight delay; at worst, they fall onto another belt and end up on a new flight altogether.
Give an Abundance of Information
This might seem excessive, but when it comes to keeping your luggage safe, you really can’t be too safe. That being said, we suggest including identification on every inch of your luggage, from the outer extremities to every zipper pocket.
You’ll want to include your name in a variety of places on the luggage, but it’s better to share as much information as possible. Your phone number, email, and even your home address can help the airline to figure out how to get your luggage back to you.
In addition to including your name in several places, we’d also recommend adding the desired destination to your bags. Even if your bags do end up misplaced, this will save you SO much time in the long run, as you’ll know that your luggage will at least end up in the appropriate airport.
Avoid Layovers
If you can, we strongly recommend taking a direct flight to your destination, as this decreases the chances of there being a baggage mix-up. When it comes to keeping your luggage safe, our rule of thumb is this: the simpler, the better.
Don’t overcomplicate things by allowing your bags to be transferred between several different sets of hands for a quick trip. This can add confusion, making it easier for your bags to cross paths with luggage that looks a little too similar.
Taking a direct flight means that all of your items will stay on one plane during the duration of your travels. If you can’t get a direct flight, try to ensure that the time between flights is as brief as possible, as this will still provide less time for your luggage to be in transit.
Is it Common for Luggage To Get Lost?
If you’re worried about losing your bags, you may be wondering how common it is for luggage to get lost in the first place. You’ll be happy to find out that among all domestic and international flights, you’ve got about a 1% chance of losing your luggage.
Be that as it may, it’s still critical to make sure that you take the proper precautions to keep your things safe. After all, no one wants to end up in that small percentage of people whose items were lost due to carelessness, mislabeling, or plain old bad luck
What To Do if Your Luggage Is Lost
If all else fails, and your luggage ends up being misplaced, there are a few steps you can take to make the situation less painful.
1. Give it a minute: On the off chance that your bags are simply delayed, you don’t want to rush into a panic. Give it a few minutes to be sure before you confirm that it’s been lost, then you can take additional steps.
2. Alert the baggage handlers: When it comes to locating your luggage, the baggage handlers will have the most information. They may be able to search in the back rooms for misdirected items or contact your departure airport to get them on the lookout.
3. Contact the airline: You may want to contact the airline directly to determine what their policy on lost baggage is. Depending on the airline, you may be able to get a credit, discount, or other accommodation to make things right.
4. Use travel insurance: For further protection, we’d recommend getting travel insurance before heading out for your trip. This ensures that if your items cannot be recovered, you can begin the replacement process without concern.
5. Consider replacing items: If things aren’t looking good and your bags have been missing for over 24 hours, you’ll want to consider replacement. Whether you choose to grab the essentials or buy an entirely new wardrobe, replacement may be the most realistic option.
6. Follow up: Within reason, we’d recommend staying in contact with the airline throughout the retrieval process. Your items may turn up in a couple of days, weeks, or months, so it’s important to maintain open lines of communication in the meantime.
