Removing old luggage tags and taking photos of your suitcase before checking in can prevent lost luggage. It’s easy to apply but many people often forget to do it.
Every day, about 100,000 pieces of luggage are lost and the number is expected to increase during peak seasons such as Christmas and New Year. Experts from 1st Move International Removals, an international moving company based in the UK, offer some advice to minimize the risk of lost luggage during a flight.
Remove old luggage tags
Removing old luggage tags from suitcases will minimize the risk of them being lost or misdirected. Airlines’ baggage systems rely on clear and accurate tags to send suitcases to the correct destination. Tags left over from previous flights can cause automated scanners to misread old barcodes and send them to the wrong location.
Baggage claim area at Hamburg airport, Germany. Image: AP
Currently, many self-service kiosks and automatic baggage systems are being applied, so travelers need to proactively remove their old cards to make the trip hassle-free. Experts say this is an easy thing to do but also easy to forget, thereby causing information distortion and lost items.
Add your own luggage tag
Travelers should have a high-quality, easy-to-identify luggage tag to quickly find items after the flight and avoid being mistakenly identified by others.
Information on the card should include name and contact methods. Experts advise always ensuring that information is continuously updated so that staff can easily return luggage if lost.
However, luggage tags can also be dropped or damaged during transportation. In this case, travelers should add a copy of their contact information and flight itinerary in their suitcase. This helps airport staff quickly connect with travelers if their luggage is lost.
Equip your luggage with a GPS tracking device
For added safety, a good quality GPS device is necessary. These devices such as Airtags and Tile Mate can easily be placed in your suitcase so you can track your luggage using your phone.
Compact GPS device that can be kept in a suitcase. Image: Hotel Collection
Take photos of your luggage before checking it in
In the worst case scenario, experts recommend taking photos of your luggage before sending it. The photo will help airport staff find passengers’ luggage faster and more effectively.
If your luggage is unfortunately lost on your next trip, 1st Move International experts say the first thing to do is report the problem to the staff in charge and the airline’s customer service department before leaving. airport. This notification will initiate the process of tracking and finding lost luggage.
Usually luggage is tagged with flight information. However, to shorten the search process, visitors should describe details such as color, size, brand.
“Every little piece of information is useful,” the expert said.
Travelers should also check their travel insurance policies regarding lost or delayed baggage. If you have to buy a replacement, keep the receipt to claim compensation. In addition, visitors should bring some essential items in their carry-on luggage, enough for a few days to prevent any bad situations.