Don't Lose Your Luggage On Vacation And Holiday Flights
Written by Dorothy Yamich   
Tuesday, 09 March 2010 08:06
Whether you have flown on flights for business, or holidays and vacations, you may have lost luggage or know of people that have. Here are some travel tips that can help you reduce this risk.
by DorothyYamich


Whether you have flown on flights for business, or holidays and vacations, you may have lost luggage or know of people that have. Here are some travel tips that can help you reduce this risk.

It is estimated that more than a million bags are lost by commercial airlines each year in the United States alone. How much luggage that get lost in the whole world is anybody's guess. Here are some tips that may help you recover your bags if they are ever lost.

Attach a couple of tags with your name, home address, and phone number to the handle and zipper-pulls of every bag that you are checking. There's less of a chance that every tag could get torn off when in transit. Make sure that you've taken off any old airline tags that are still on your luggage 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 a bright or odd color that will stand out among the numerous black and brown bags. Know the brand name of the luggage that you have and attach a colorful ribbon or scarf to the handle to make identification easier. Stick some decals or a contrasting colored tape to every side of the bags so they are easier to spot as the carousel goes around. Try to remember these details, or better still, take a photo of your luggage just before you go and bring it with you. This can help the lost luggage staff at the airport in locating your bags if they are lost in transit and show up at their office. It will also help when you 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 a claim. Many airlines have a twenty-four hour window of time starting from when your flight arrives to file and be eligible for compensation. You will receive a claim receipt to 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 is resolved.

How can you guarantee that the airlines won't 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 holiday experience, visit Travel Tips Guide for more information.