Every day in the European Union, 10,000 pieces of luggage are not returned to their owners and the phenomenon tends to increase. Mainly the cause, flight delays and security checks are also constantly increasing. In the face of this, there is no miracle cure, but here are some tips that may prevent you from being one of the unlucky ones who will see the luggage conveyor stop without their suitcase showing up.
Prepare your luggage properly
To put the odds in your favor, there are a few details that you need to take into account that can be important.
Protect your details: There are now rigid aluminum address holders on the market that you can hang on the handle of your suitcase. This will allow you to no longer depend on a ribbon of paper which can be easily torn during handling. While waiting for the smart adventure bags connected to your smartphone, you can get labels with a radio transmitter chip. This allows you to locate your luggage in most airports.
Give information about your trip: It is also advisable to put inside and on the top of your suitcase, a sheet on which you will write down the details of your itinerary and the contact details of your hotel, in case your luggage arrives. to be open.
Have easy-to-identify luggage: So that your suitcase is easily identifiable, you can choose a bright color at the time of purchase that contrasts with the gray or black of most luggage. Another solution is to put stickers on both sides of the suitcase, or to use a colored strap.
Avoid distribution errors: Do not forget to take off or detach from the suitcase all the previous labels which could lead to confusion.
Close your suitcase: You must check that your suitcase closes correctly, because if it were to open, it would be immediately put aside. If in doubt, it may be smart to use a safety strap. As for padlocks for a trip to the US, you can get TSA locks, which allow customs to open the suitcase without breaking the lock.
Keep valuables: It goes without saying that valuables, multimedia equipment and medicines should always be kept in hand luggage.
Once at the airport
When you go to the airport, there are a few more things you need to be aware of.
Arrive early: Luggage that arrived last is the most frequently lost. It is therefore recommended to arrive at the airport at least one hour before the flight so that the luggage has time to be correctly routed.
Avoid stopovers that are too short: In general, when purchasing your ticket, you should avoid, for flights with a stopover, programming stops shorter than 45 minutes. Sometimes it is better to pay a slightly more expensive flight but that does not imply that you have a one in two chance of missing your connection… and your suitcase.
Pay attention: During baggage claim, you will need to be near the carpet early enough to verify that another person is not leaving with your suitcase. And this is where you will see all the interest you had in buying a suitcase… lemon yellow.
Some precautions
Despite all these measures, it is still possible to be unlucky and not receive your baggage when you arrive. Here are some precautions you can take before your departure to facilitate your procedures in the event that your baggage is lost.
Take pictures: You can take some pictures of your suitcase and its contents, which can help the teams to recognize your luggage and to make a claim in the event of damage with supporting evidence.
Keep your bills: It is recommended that you keep bills for expensive items that you are carrying. They will be requested by the insurance company.
Make a list: You can make a list of the contents of your luggage. All documents attesting to missing property are welcome.
Reflex to have in case of loss of luggage
If you’ve lost your suitcase, don’t despair. 85% of issues are resolved within 24 hours.
If this is the case, you must go to the lost baggage counter, open a file and provide all the information regarding your suitcase. We will then assign you a reference number and give you a phone number to keep you informed of the research. This official document will be necessary for you to approach the insurer, which you must notify within 5 days.
If your baggage is permanently lost (after 21 days), you will receive the compensation from the airline, then turn to your travel insurance with all the necessary proofs (list, photos, invoices).
Considering the loss of your suitcase is obviously not a very pleasant thing, but it is better to have thought about it in advance. These few tips are easy to implement and will help make your trip as smooth as possible.
