Travel Woes: How to Avoid — and Reclaim — Lost Luggage
July 20, 2023
This summer, air travel demand is expected to reach new heights, with over a quarter of Americans planning to book leisure travel at levels not seen since before the pandemic, according to consumer insights published by the U.S. Travel Association. Approximately 26% of second-quarter survey respondents plan on increasing their leisure travel spending, up from 19% reported in first-quarter survey results. Additionally, just over half of all Americans and 81% of leisure travelers have a trip planned in the next six months.
With this notable increase in air travel amid ongoing travel concerns, such as crowding, congestion, flight delays and cancellations, it’s important to know how to effectively handle one of the most common travel mishaps — lost luggage. In March 2023 alone, 244,621 bags were mishandled among 10 major U.S. airline carriers, a nearly 3% increase over the 237,556 bags reported in March 2022, according to data reported by the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.
If you’re traveling this summer, use our tips to help you stay on track during the reporting and claims process so you can receive proper compensation and resume your trip with minimal interruption.
Before You Go
Before you step foot in an airport, take the time to examine your luggage. Is it covered in old tags, stickers or barcodes that could confuse a baggage handler and lead to unnecessary delays? Remove these tags and stickers to ensure the only travel information associated with your luggage is the trip you’re about to take.
Consider selecting your most colorful or patterned luggage when you’re flying. As seasoned travelers know, the baggage claim area at airports can be a crowded zoo of people. By traveling with eye-catching luggage, you’ll recognize it — or its absence — much more quickly. If bright colors or patterns aren’t your aesthetic, consider adding luggage straps to your suitcase. These stretchy bands stay flat against your suitcase, unlike bandanas or ribbons, which can get caught in conveyor belts and lead to delays.
If you’re still concerned about your airline losing your luggage on your next trip, try leveraging technology to secure peace of mind. Invest in a consumer GPS device, such as an Apple AirTag or Samsung Galaxy SmartTag. These small trackers can easily be slipped into the interior pocket of your suitcase and provide valuable information if the airline mishandles your luggage.
Our final pre-flight recommendation is to print a copy of your itinerary — with the destination address listed — and keep it inside your bag. Take photos of your luggage, both opened and closed, and any unique or easily identifiable items. If your baggage is lost or delayed during your flight, these steps will help the airline confirm ownership and reunite you with your lost belongings.
At the Airport
You’ve been waiting at baggage claim for a while now — long enough for the rest of your flight to collect their things and leave — but you’re still not seeing your luggage make its way around the conveyor belt. What do you do?
File a baggage claim with your airline as soon as possible, recommends the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Under DOT regulations, airlines must compensate passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed or lost. The quicker you file your claim, the sooner the airline has the necessary details to begin trying to reunite you with your lost luggage. If you have a GPS tracker in your luggage, now is the time to share that information with your airline, as well as any identifiable information you can provide.
Airlines have different policies to determine when a bag is officially lost, but most will declare a bag lost between five and fourteen days after the flight, according to DOT. Before it is formally pronounced as “lost,” the airline will classify it as “delayed.” If three days go by without an update, try updating your claim with detailed information on the contents of your luggage. Describe the unique, easily-identifiable items you packed and provide any photo evidence you may have.
Most luggage eventually makes its way back to its proper owner, but make sure you’re properly compensated for any toiletries, clothing or other items you purchased while you were without your belongings. Keep a record of all your purchases with receipts, either digital or printed copies.
If the airline determines that your bag is lost, it is responsible for compensating you for the contents. The maximum domestic baggage liability amount allowed is $3,800 per passenger, approximately $1,700 per passenger for most international flights, according to the DOT. If it gets to that point, you’ll also need to file a claim with your travel insurance for reimbursement for your baggage and personal effects.
Lost luggage and other travel emergencies are an unfortunate fact of life. Follow our helpful travel tips to help you keep track of your luggage or, in the event that it is misplaced, recover it quickly. Contact Gallagher Personal Insurance to learn more about your travel insurance options as you prepare for your next vacation or business trip.