The vast majority of bags reach their destination, but when one doesn’t, the trip gets off to a bad start. Losses usually happen on tight connections and when the tag comes off. A few minutes of preparation can cut the risk a lot.

Before checking in

  • Label your suitcase inside and out. Attach a tag with your name, phone number and email, and leave a sheet with the same details and your itinerary inside the bag. If the airline tag gets lost, that’s what allows it to be identified.
  • Remove old tags from other flights: they confuse the sorting systems.
  • Take a photo of your suitcase and what’s in it. It will save you time describing it if it goes missing.
  • Choose long connections. With less than an hour between flights, you may make it in time, but your bag might not.

Tip: put a sheet inside your suitcase with your name, phone number, email and the hotel you’re staying at. If all the tags get lost, that’s how they can find you.

Make it easy to recognise

Lots of suitcases are black and almost identical. A coloured ribbon or strap lets you spot yours instantly and stops another traveller taking it by mistake.

A tracker inside your suitcase

A Bluetooth tracker in your suitcase shows its location on your phone, using nearby phones. When you land you’ll know whether it has arrived with you, and if not, you can tell the airline exactly which airport it’s stuck at. Check your airline’s rules: trackers with coin batteries are allowed by almost all of them.

At the check-in desk

Check that the tag the agent sticks on shows the code of your final destination (for example, LHR or JFK), not just your connection. Keep the stub with the bag number: you’ll need it for any claim.

  1. Don’t leave the baggage hall. Go to the baggage desk of your airline or its handling agent.
  2. Fill in a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). You’ll be given a reference number to track your bag.
  3. Keep the receipts for anything you buy in the meantime (clothes, toiletries): the airline must refund reasonable expenses.
  4. Claim in writing and on time. Under the Montreal Convention, you have 7 days to claim for damage and 21 days from when your bag is delivered if it arrives late. If it hasn’t turned up within 21 days, it’s considered lost.

The airline’s liability is capped (around 1,500 Special Drawing Rights, a little under €2,000). If you carry very valuable items, keep them in your hand luggage or get travel insurance.

Important: don’t leave the baggage reclaim area without a Property Irregularity Report. Once you’re outside, it’s much harder to get the airline to accept your claim.

What should never go in your checked bag

Medicines, documents, keys, electronics, power banks, jewellery and a change of clothes should always travel with you in the cabin. If your suitcase is a day late, you can still carry on with your trip.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.