TheSoko.com - How to Deal With Lost Luggage

It’s always frustrating to arrive at your destination and find that your bags are nowhere to be found. Jenny Ferguson tells you how to deal with lost luggage.

It happens to almost every traveller at least once in his or her lifetime, and to some of us, it happens more often than we would like. With everything going on at the airport, it’s no wonder that your luggage can wind up in India when you were headed to Iceland. While it’s always a pain in the rear to have to live without your luggage, here are a few tips from someone who has been there a time or two to get you through your trip in style!

Travel Insurance Is a Must

Before you leave, insure yourself against lost luggage. You might wonder why you should upgrade your insurance plan, just in case, but you’ll be wondering why you didn’t and kicking yourself when something like this happens to you.

Look for a policy that will cover lost luggage and check to see if they also cover delayed luggage or luggage that missed your connection. Always read the fine print to see what the stipulations are and most of the time, if you want your super expensive (insert object here) covered, you’ll need to upgrade your insurance.

That way, when your baggage is rerouted across the world, you’ll be able to claim for an emergency baggage allowance to get you through until your baggage can be located and rerouted to your destination free of charge. It’s important if you’re backpacking or travelling on a non-specific route to tell the airlines where you expect to be in a week or two. Your luggage may arrive before you, but it’s better than waiting around some city until it finally shows up.

Plan Ahead

If you can manage to pack everything you need into a carry-on sized bag, I applaud you. You’ll never suffer from lost luggage and you’re travelling light.

For the rest of us who need that special luxury item (a pillow or your favourite dress-up outfit), we tend to check our luggage. Every time you fly or check your luggage on the train or a bus, make sure you pack a change of clothing in your daypack.

You should always have a change of underwear, a pair of socks, a shirt suited to the climate and a pair of pants. I like to pack along my convertibles; pants with legs that zip off to create instant shorts or capris, just in case my luggage gets misplaced. It’s also really handy to have a stick of deodorant, a toothbrush and toothpaste, as well as any medications you’re taking. Add a reusable water bottle to your daypack and you’re pretty much ready to go. A small bottle of biodegradable laundry soap or all-purpose soap is also a nice thing to have at hand.

This way, when it happens, and it will someday, you’ll be set for a few days. Instead of spending your luggage allowance, usually about enough to buy a replacement set of toiletries and a change of clothing, save it, as most temporary lost luggage is found and in your hands within a week.

According to thetravelinsider.com, “Most airlines seem to require a 24 hour delay in getting your bags to you before they'll start to consider reimbursing you for new clothing,” so don’t expect to walk away with an allowance when you first notice your luggage isn’t on the carousel.

Borrow and Shop

Many times, you’re travelling with a friend or two. I’m sure they’ll be heartily sympathetic to your plight, as it could have easily been their own. Ask to borrow a few shirts and anything else you can fit into until your luggage can be located. This will get you through a few more days. Don’t forget that laundry soap you packed: if you wash out your underwear, socks and a pair of clothing each night before going to bed, you’ll have a clean and dry outfit in the morning.

You were going to peruse the shops anyways, so here’s your chance to treat yourself to a few new outfits if your luggage hasn’t shown up at this point. Keep all your receipts, and don’t buy an outrageously priced designer outfit and expect the airline to cover it. If you shop reasonably and buy the things you need, in the event that your luggage is declared irrevocably lost, the airline with likely cover the bill or consider the amount of money you spent versus the value of your luggage when issuing you a cheque.

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prepare for the eventual

It might happen this year or it could happen three years from now on your honeymoon, so knowing what to do if your luggage gets misplaced, delayed or lost will serve you for the rest of your life.

These tips will get you through the week or two it takes for your gear to find its way back to you, but having a good sense of adventure and a sense of humour will make anything, even lost luggage, just a bump in the road.

Sources:
Thetravelinsider.com