What to Do When You’ve Lost Your Luggage

It can be every traveler’s worst nightmare. You arrive in your destination, ready for either work or play, only to meet the crushing realization that your luggage didn’t arrive with you.

First and foremost, immediately make sure you let your airline know you’re missing your bags. Your belongings may not be lost forever, as it may seem, and the situation may be able to be resolved quickly. If not, you’ll at least be able to file a claim so there is a record of when your luggage was lost, which may be even more helpful if the airline fails to come up with your bags. If this happens, you can request compensation from the airline for varying amounts dependent upon how long your luggage was lost.

There are a few things you can do, however, to make the entire process easier. Do you have a photo of your luggage? What about a list of the items inside? These can help airline workers determine if a piece of luggage is yours or not, rather than just supplying them with a vague description of what your and a hundred other peoples’ suitcases look like. For this reason, it’s also a good idea to have unusual or brightly colored luggage tags that can help your ordinary bag stand out.

After you’ve left the airport, though, you’ll still need the basics to get you through the first few days of your trip. It’s always important to make sure you pack the essentials in your carry-on, even if it’s just a short flight and it seems a bit of a hassle. An extra pair of clothes or two, a toothbrush, makeup bag, phone charger and other necessities can make all the difference if you’ve lost the rest of your items. If you’re bringing along anything that you simply can’t live without, put it in your carry-on, not your actual suitcase. Remember — a few items can easily be replaced, so don’t allow a lost bag to ruin your travels.