One of the most frustrating things that can happen when traveling on a flight is not getting your luggage returned to you when you reach your destination. Even though stuff, or the lack of it, should never ruin your travels, lost or delayed luggage sucks big time.
So what should you do when this happens? Well, in this guide, I’ll be breaking down the steps you should take when an airline loses your bag and how to handle your lost luggage claim ticket.
The First Steps: Patience and Observation
The first thing you want to do before you decide to storm into the baggage claim office and give the airline a piece of your mind for losing your bag is to be patient. I know that’s easier said than done but a couple of things can happen if you just wait.
First, if you’re arriving into a large hub, it’s highly likely that the bags are being loaded in waves. So just because the bags stopped dropping onto the carousel doesn’t mean there aren’t more bags coming. Second, and this has happened to me, your bag could end up on a different carousel. So just look around at the other carousels to make sure your bag isn’t on one of them.
Third, it’s possible your bag made an earlier connecting flight, which would mean your bag is just waiting for you at the airline’s baggage claim office. If you have done all these steps and still can’t locate your bag, now would be the time to alert the airline.
Filing the Claim: The Crucial Process
You’ll need to locate the baggage claim office of the airline that operated your final flight. If your entire trip was on a single airline, then this would be simple. However, if you’re on different airlines with connecting flights, then you need to file a claim with the airline that operated your last flight.
Once you find the baggage claim office, inform the agent working there that your luggage did not arrive as expected. You’ll then need to provide a copy of the bag tag that you should receive at check-in.
Filling Out the Missing Baggage Report
If the agent is unable to locate the whereabouts of your bag, then you’ll need to fill out a missing baggage report. When you do this, fill out as much information as you can about your bag and your travel plans. Include a detailed description of the size, color, and material of your bag, including any identifying tags.
Make sure the report has your local address and your phone number. Be sure to get the phone number of the baggage claim office as well as some form of reference or lost luggage claim ticket number so you can follow up with the airline if you have to.
Essential Information for the Claim
Here is the information you need when filling out a lost luggage claim:
- Flight Numbers: First, you need all your flight numbers from the actual operators, not codeshare flight numbers. Make sure that you have the proper flight numbers, the day of the flight, and the arrival time. Most importantly for the last flight, because this is the airline that’s going to be responsible for finding your bag.
- Baggage Tag Number: Second, you need your baggage tag number. I did not have mine and this proved to be a real obstacle in retrieving my bag. They took my ticket number and description of my suitcase instead and started the search anyway. The baggage tag number is really the best piece of information you can have.
- Address: The third thing that you need is an address and a way to contact you at your temporary destination. If this isn’t a flight home, this could be your hotel or the place where you’re staying.
Once your information is submitted, WorldTracer will generate a tracking code for your file. With this, you can update your information such as your temporary address. You can also use this code to check on the status of the investigation.
Understanding Your Rights and Compensation
Ask the airline what they will cover. When you’re filling out the report, ask the airline what they’re willing to provide for compensation and to what extent they will reimburse you. Many airlines keep amenity kits on hand to pass out to customers with missing bags.
Once you have completed those steps, it is now the responsibility of the airline to deliver your bag to you and should be willing to cover the cost of delivery regardless of where you’re staying. If the airline asks you to wait until your bag arrives on the next flight or asks you to return back to the airport to retrieve your bag, you’re under no obligation to do so. Simply decline and ask the airline to deliver your bag to wherever you’re staying.
If you need to pick up essentials while your bag is being located—like a change of clothes, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant—all these items should get reimbursed to you by the airline without question. Just make sure you keep all your receipts for every purchase that you make.
Compensation Limits
Under the Montreal Convention, a UN aviation agreement about lost luggage reimbursement, the liability of the carrier in the case of destruction, loss, damage, or delay is limited to a thousand Special Drawing Rights (SDR) for each passenger. Right now, a thousand SDR is equal to about 1,500 USD.
So how much you can actually get reimbursed depends on the airline, how long your luggage is lost, and any travel credit card you might have. I’ve only filed a claim once before, and it was when my bag was delayed over 24 hours. I was able to claim 100% off toiletries and underwear and 50% off longer wear items like clothes and shoes.
Lost vs. Delayed Luggage Timeline
| Status | Duration | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Delayed | 0-5 Days | Airline searches, daily flights check |
| Advanced Search | 5-21 Days | Central tracing systems activated |
| Lost | 21+ Days | File for full loss compensation |
Generally speaking, an airline will classify your bag as lost after 14 to 21 days. If your bag does end up truly lost, then you are now able to file a more detailed claim against the airline for lost rather than delayed. This will allow you to receive a higher compensation.
If you are dealing with other travel delays, like a pending NZETA visa application or if this flight segment is waitlisted, adding lost luggage to the mix can be overwhelming, so staying organized is key.
Prevention Tips: How to Avoid Losing Your Bag
My first tip for surviving the real curveball that is lost luggage is to pack the essentials that you need in your carry-on or personal item. Nobody wants to pack like they’re about to lose their luggage, but I highly recommend that you do.
Pack Smart
Having all the essentials makes delayed bags less of an issue since you can continue your planned activities while the airline locates your bag. Another way to help minimize the effect of a lost bag is to keep all your important items in your carry-on bag like your medication, jewelry, electronics, and cash. Most insurance companies won’t cover these items anyway, so it’s best to keep them with you when you travel.
If you plan on doing a lot of walking while waiting for your gear, having comfortable Chacos or reliable shoes in your carry-on can save your trip.
Track Your Bags
My fourth tip is to track your bags. This includes taking a photo of your luggage tags and keeping your copy of the little tag in a safe place. Some airlines have great apps that include live bag tracking. You can also pop a Tile tracker in your bag that can help you pinpoint your bag’s location.
A few hours after a phone conversation, my Tile actually pinged me that my luggage was in town in Berlin and the pin was actually right over my hotel. Later that day when I got back to my hotel room, the hotel had delivered my luggage to my room.
Final Thoughts
Lost luggage sucks, but if you have that lost luggage claim ticket and follow the proper procedures, you can get through it. Most airlines find most luggage within 24 hours. It’s likely you took a flight that operates every day or multiple times a day, so the luggage handlers will often put your bag on the next identical flight.
I hope this post was helpful. I don’t wish lost luggage on anyone, but if it does happen, I hope it’s when you’re going home rather than starting out your trip. Remember, most everything is replaceable. Don’t let it get in the way of an awesome trip. Happy travels.