Arriving at your destination and waiting by the baggage carousel for your suitcase, only to realize that it never appears, is one of the most stressful situations you can experience while travelling.
If this happens to you, the most important thing is not to panic. The fact that your luggage did not appear on the carousel does not necessarily mean that it has been permanently lost. It may have been delayed, left behind at your departure airport, or accidentally put on another flight.
So, what should you do if your luggage does not arrive?
Don’t leave the baggage claim area
Before leaving the baggage claim area, first make sure that your suitcase has not been placed somewhere else.
Check the flight number and baggage carousel displayed on the airport screens and wait until baggage delivery has been completed.
It is also a good idea to check whether another passenger may have accidentally taken your suitcase, especially if it is black or looks similar to many other bags.
Check the baggage tag you kept
When you checked in, you were probably given a small sticker or receipt with a baggage number. Do not throw it away until you have collected your suitcase.
This number, known as the baggage tag or baggage claim tag, is very important when searching for your luggage.
If you no longer have the tag, don’t panic. The airline may still be able to locate your baggage details using your flight information and booking details.
Go to the Lost and Found or Baggage Service Desk immediately
If your suitcase does not appear, do not simply leave the airport.
Look for the airline’s desk or the relevant baggage service department, which may be labelled as Lost & Found, Baggage Service or Baggage Reclaim.
You will need to report that you did not receive your luggage and complete the relevant report.
Usually, a baggage tracing case will be opened and you will receive a reference number. It is important to keep this number safe.
Keep your reference number
Your reference number is very important, as it will be used to track your case.
You may need it when contacting the airline again or when checking the progress of the baggage search.
Keep all relevant documents and receipts provided to you at the airport as well.
Provide the correct contact details
When you report your missing luggage, you will be asked to provide your contact details and usually the address where your suitcase can be delivered once it is found.
If you are staying at a hotel, provide the correct hotel details, your dates of stay and, if necessary, your room number.
If you are going to change hotels or cities over the next few days, let the airline know so they are aware of where your luggage can be delivered.
What happens if your luggage is delayed
The fact that your suitcase did not arrive with you does not necessarily mean that it is considered permanently lost.
In many cases, the luggage has simply been delayed and arrives on a later flight. This can happen, for example, if there was not enough time to transfer it from one connecting flight to the next.
Once your luggage is located, the airline will usually arrange for it to be delivered to the address you provided.
Can you buy essential items?
If you are travelling without your luggage, you may need to buy basic items such as clothes, underwear or toiletries.
Before making any purchases, however, keep all your receipts.
Depending on the airline, the circumstances and the applicable rules, you may be entitled to reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses caused by the baggage delay.
So, don’t assume that every purchase will automatically be reimbursed. Keep your receipts and check the procedure and terms that apply to your flight.
What happens if your luggage is considered permanently lost
If your suitcase cannot be located within the applicable time period, it may eventually be declared lost. At that point, a different process for compensation will usually begin.
What you are entitled to depends on factors such as the airline, your route and the regulations that apply.
For this reason, it is important to follow the procedure provided by the airline and keep all relevant documents, receipts and details related to your baggage report.
Don’t pack valuable items in your checked luggage
One way to reduce the stress of losing or having your luggage delayed is to avoid putting valuable or irreplaceable items in your checked suitcase.
Your passport, money, jewellery, electronic devices, essential medication and other valuable belongings are better kept in your carry-on luggage, always in accordance with the airline’s security rules.
Take a photo of your suitcase before your trip
A simple but very useful tip is to take a photo of your suitcase before checking it in.
A photo can help airport staff identify your luggage more easily, especially if it is a common model that looks similar to many other suitcases.
You can also keep a note with the brand, colour, size and any distinctive features that make your suitcase easier to identify.
Put an AirTag in your suitcase
One of the most useful things you can have inside your suitcase is an AirTag. Personally, I always keep one in my luggage and consider it one of the most useful travel gadgets, especially when you travel frequently by plane.
If your suitcase is delayed or does not appear on the carousel, you can use the Find My app to check its location and get a better idea of where it is.
In many cases, being able to track your luggage with an AirTag can also be very helpful to airline staff when searching for it.
Of course, an AirTag does not replace reporting delayed or lost baggage to the airline. It is simply an additional tool that can prove extremely useful when you have no idea where your suitcase is.
Small tip: Put the AirTag inside your suitcase rather than in an external pocket, so it stays protected and is less likely to be removed.
