Traveler Tips and Advice for Lost Luggage

[Lonely Planet]

With more than 20 million pieces of luggage going missing every year around the world there’s a possibility that this could happen to any one of us. Whilst there’s nothing that we can do to prevent it happening to us, if the worst should happen here is some advice on what you can do and what your rights are.

Did you know?
When any piece of checked-in luggage goes missing it is the responsibility of the airline you are travelling with. Therefore, when it becomes apparent that your luggage has gone missing you must immediately report the loss to the Lost Luggage Desk at the airport, advising them of the airline you are travelling with.

Tracking your lost luggage
After you have described your luggage, and possibly the contents, you’ll be given a reference number. This number will help you track any progress being made by the airline to find your luggage. You can usually track this progress over the phone and also online.

Emergency purchases
If you have arrived at your destination and find that your luggage has gone missing then often an airline will offer an initial payment to help cover emergency purchases. The value of this differs airline to airline. If the airline is not forthcoming with this payment push for it. It is your right as a passenger and as such is cited in the Montreal Convention which all airlines are bound by in their responsibility of securing the safe transit of your luggage.

When is luggage officially termed as ‘lost’?
Depending on what airline you are travelling with, it might be that the airline does not declare your luggage as officially ‘lost’ until a certain period of time as passed. For example, BA will wait for 21 days until it officially states your luggage is lost.

Lost luggage compensation levels
Most passengers will find that they are paid around £800 per piece of lost luggage, and before any compensation level is paid out it may be that you are asked to provide original receipts for the items lost.

Lost luggage travel insurance claims
If you enter a battle with your airline as they want you to claim on your travel insurance remind them that they and only they are responsible for the safety of your checked-in luggage. This is stated by the British Airports Authority. What’s more, most travel insurance policies do not cover luggage while it is in transit during a flight, i.e. from the time it is checked-in until the time it is put on the baggage carousel.

Claims for specific items
As it’s so difficult to prove that specific, or namely expensive, items were in your case it can be difficult to claim for such, especially if those items bring your claim over and above the usual £800 maximum compensation amounts.

Top tips to protect yourself and your luggage

1. Use good quality luggage to start with. There’s a saying ‘pay peanuts, get monkeys’ and the same can most certainly be said for the quality of your luggage. Strong and secure luggage could prevent any damages to your luggage and thus avoid any damaged luggage claims.

2. As well as clearly labelling your luggage on the outside, a luggage label can easily be ripped off. Therefore it’s strongly advised that you include a luggage label actually within your luggage so if it is found and opened the case can be identified as yours.

3. Whilst it’s fairly unrealistic to think we all keep receipts for anything and everything, do try and keep the receipts for anything you have bought specifically for your holiday – most of us hit the shops for a few new sun dresses, or ski wear for example, so hang on to those receipts!

4. Most travel insurance policies won’t cover valuables that have been packed in your luggage, and airlines have a maximum compensation value for lost luggage so also won’t cover them for compensation. So if you are travelling with any items of value make sure you pack them in your hand luggage i.e. cameras, video cameras, jewellery, mobiles etc. Find online trip deals and make my trip also travel packages with online hotel booking and cheap flights tickets .