Lost Luggage - You Can Reduce The Risk On A Holiday Air Flight

Written by Dorothy Yamich

Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:49

Whether you take air flights for business, or holidays and vacations, you have probably lost luggage or know of a person that has. Here are some travel tips that may help you prevent this happening.

by DorothyYamich

Whether you take air flights for business, or holidays and vacations, you have probably lost luggage or know of a person that has. Here are some travel tips that may help you prevent this happening.

It's estimated that there are more than a million bags that are lost by the airlines each year in the U.S. alone. How many get lost in the whole world is anyone's guess. Here are a few tips that may help you recover your bags if they should they get 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.

Also, you should place the same contact information, including a copy of your itinerary and destination address inside each your bags. Then, if they do go astray and are found in time, it's possible that they could be forwarded to your hotel.

Pick luggage with preferably a bright or odd color that will stand out among all black and brown bags. Know which brand name of the luggage that you are using and attach a small colorful scarf or ribbon to the handle to make identification easier. Stick decals or a contrasting colored tape to each side of the bags so they are easier to find as it goes around the carousel. Remember these details, or better still, take a digital photo of your luggage just before you go and bring it with you. This will help the lost luggage staff at the airport locate your bags if they get lost in transit and turn up at their office. It will also help if you do 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 if the airlines lose your luggage?

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 will not 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.

About the Author:

To quickly latch on to cheap flights and luxury cruises at really great discounts, whenever you want to enjoy a wonderful vacation, visit Travel Tips Guide for more information.

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