Lost luggage can be the bane of any holiday trip but it could be swayed based on what you pack
Experts from 1st Move International, and frequent flyers themselves, highlighted some of the top things you can pack and do to your luggage to avoid getting lost in transit as you head on holiday, as well as a few safeguards to ensure if it does go off track it’ll always find its way back to you. With many Brits heading abroad for a winter break during the festive season, these insights can be especially prudent.
Despite most itineraries, tickets and even visas being digital now, the experts suggested printing out your flight itinerary and contact information and packing this into your suitcase. Although it seems counterintuitive, if your bag happens to go off-track and lose the tags and stickers that tell airport staff where to send it, having this information inside can avoid a range of administrative delays and get your bag back on track.
The travel experts highly recommended adding a durable and distinct luggage tag to your bags. Not only will this make your bag more identifiable on the luggage carousels, it will also deter people from accidentally taking your bag instead of their own.
With a proper up-to-date luggage tag, the worst-case scenario is your bag is simply delayed rather than completely lost as airport staff can easily get in contact with you and return your belongings. Packing in a GPS luggage tracker can also add an extra level of surety to this, allowing you to follow your bag wherever it may go.
The experts recommended Tile Mates or Airtags specifically which are stored in your suitcase and can put even the most anxious minds at rest while they travel or help to locate bags that may have gone astray. Luggage can sometimes end up in the wrong destination due to a myriad of reasons, one of which is entirely within your control.
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The travel experts urged people to triple-check they have removed any old stickers and tags from previous flights. These flimsy paper bits can be easy to forget but airport staff rely on them to match bags to flights and cargo holds. Confusion on the luggage belts could potentially delay your bag getting on the plane, and if the hold is too full or your bag is too late, it might not make the flight at all.
Finally, to prepare for the worst case scenario it’s advisable to take a photo of your bag just before you drop it off at the airport. If it goes missing, this reference photo can mean the difference between getting it swiftly returned or potentially losing it altogether as airport staff wade through endless aisles of luggage matching the same ‘medium-sized black bag’ description.
Mike Harvey, Managing Director at 1st Move International, added: “The first thing you should do is report the issue to the airline’s baggage claim officer or customer service desk before leaving the airport, as this initiates the tracking process… In case of situations like this, it is always advised to try and pack a few days’ worth of essentials in your hand luggage.”
