Losing your baggage when you’re traveling is never fun, and as you stand there and watch the empty baggage carousel go around, you may be at a loss as to what you should do next. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to avoid packing any valuables or items of sentimental value in your checked baggage, as millions of bags go missing every year.
Packing a toothbrush and change of clothes in your carry-on is one way to ensure that if you do lose your bag you at least have some clothes to wear.
Since delayed or lost luggage is a huge inconvenience, it’s likely that you’ll want to be compensated if this happens to you. If you purchase travel insurance, you can ensure that someone “has your back”, since different airlines have different policies about lost baggage, and this can offend depend on the laws of the country you have flown into.
The first thing you should do when you notice that your baggage is missing is head directly to the baggage counter for your airline. They should be able to track your luggage, let you know where it is and when you can expect it to arrive. That’s one reason why you should keep that little barcode you’re given when you’re checking in- so you can keep track of your bags.
Once you’ve filed a baggage claim, you’ll be given a case reference number. This is something you need to look after because when you want to get updates from the airline about where your baggage is, they’ll ask you for this number. Be sure to give the airline all of your updated contact information, including the hotel where you’re staying (or your friend’s address, or your address if you’re at home without your luggage), so they can easily reach you and deliver your luggage when it finally arrives.
Once you get your luggage back, you should ring the airline and let them know. If you were without your luggage for a few days and had to buy replacements, keep these receipts to give them to the airline so you can be reimbursed. Some will give you compensation such as airline credit or a daily inconvenience fee, and this will depend on the airline.
If you haven’t had all of your expenses reimbursed (something that is common now with so many low-cost airlines and cost-cutting), you can file a claim with your travel insurance. This is why it’s a good idea to understand what your policy covers you for, so you’ll be completely prepared in the event that your baggage goes missing. Travel insurance claims will need to be filed (this can sometimes be completed online), and then assessed before you receive your payment.
After the claim has been assessed, you may receive a letter or email letting you know that you will be credited with a certain amount of money.
