A travel expert has revealed an important rule people must know before they get to the luggage carousel, and this information is vital if you get to baggage claim and find you have an item missing
The plane touching down on the tarmac at your destination signals the start of your holiday, and all you want to do is grab your suitcase and get to your hotel as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, picking up your luggage isn’t always all that straightforward. At peak times, you can be stuck waiting by the carousel watching the same suitcases go round and round for what feels like an eternity. And there’s always the worst case scenario; your luggage not showing up at all.
So, what can you do in this situation? Stacey Hamilton, who has worked in the travel industry for 15 years, including working for travel agents and airlines, has offered her advice to holidaymakers jetting off for some winter sun.
Stacey, who now works for Private Tours England, explained that the first few minutes are absolutely vital for tracking down your bag, and can mean the difference between locating your belongings and wearing the same outfit for a week.
She said: “Once you’re sure your suitcase hasn’t appeared, the number one thing you must do is report it to your airline before you leave the airport.
“People often assume they can go to their hotel, relax for a bit and sort it out later. That delay can seriously complicate things, and in some cases it may even weaken your claim.”
Logging your missing bag as soon as possible, ideally when you’re still in the baggage hall, means the loss is registered on their system straight away. The airline can then begin looking out for stray bags that might match your description.
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She explained: “The airport environment is chaotic. Suitcases get taken off belts, moved for security checks or transferred onto the wrong trolley. The sooner your report is filed, the easier it is for staff to retrace the bag’s last movements.”
Once you’ve tracked down someone to deal with your claim, they’ll usually ask you to complete a lost baggage form. Stacey advises filling in as much detail as possible, beyond just the usual colour and size. She gave a hint to holidaymakers: “I always tell people to take a quick photo of their suitcase before leaving home. Note down the brand and any unique features like patterned straps or distinctive tags.
“These little details help airport staff identify your luggage faster. Describing your suitcase as the blue one with wheels isn’t going to narrow it down very much.”
Keeping this information on your phone also helps you remember details when you’re stressed and means you don’t miss out on little details that could help identify your bag.
Stacey advised asking the airline what’ll happen if your bag is located. Typically, airlines will arrange delivery to your accommodation without an extra charge, but the travel expert advises getting confirmation of this. She said: “Always ask how they handle returns and make sure you exchange phone numbers or email addresses. It’s important to know who is going to update you, and how often.”
If your bag isn’t found, then it’s important to know your rights and what the airline will need to offer you. Under international regulations, airlines have 21 days to reunite you with your bag before it is classified as lost. However, within this time you will still be able to claim for essential items you’ve bought in order to continue your trip.
Stacey advises: “Keep receipts for absolutely everything. Even a toothbrush or swimwear counts. But be careful not to go on a shopping spree because airlines only reimburse what they consider reasonable.”
She explains that the term “reasonable” varies between airlines and passengers sometimes misunderstand it. “Replacing a pair of trainers so you can explore the city is reasonable. Buying a designer handbag because you’re upset is not. Check your airline’s policy before purchasing anything, because their definition of essentials can differ.”
And if your luggage never shows up? Stacey says you can apply for compensation to cover the cost of your lost items, but you may need proof of what was inside the suitcase.
“This is why I always advise photographing the contents while packing, especially if you’re travelling with expensive clothing or electronics. It takes less than a minute but can make a huge difference to your claim.”, she added.
It’s also worth checking your travel insurance, as a comprehensive policy will often cover more than the airline will. “Insurance often covers higher-value items and can provide additional compensation for delays.
“Some policies even include emergency clothing allowances for the first 24 hours. People are quick to skip insurance when trying to save money, but lost luggage is a reminder of why it matters.”, warned Stacey.
She finished by giving another couple of tips to people packing their luggage. Firstly, print a copy of your itinerary and place it inside the suitcase, along with a large label with your name and contact details. “If the outer tag is ripped off during transit, staff still have a way to identify you. It sounds simple, but it works.”, she explained.
Finally, she recommended tracking devices, which many travellers now keep inside their bag for extra reassurance. “Airlines don’t officially rely on them, but they can give you peace of mind and they’re often more accurate than you’d expect,” she said.
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