When traveling, one of the things we cannot forget is luggage because, in addition to being our accomplice in adventure, it is an essential accessory. However, when we fly, losing our luggage is a possibility and this can spoil our vacation or business trips, partially or totally. So take note of the following tips that will help you to avoid it:
Identify your luggage in detail: In order not to lose your luggage, the first step you should take is to identify it very well, placing in large and legible print the full name, passport number, address, email or mobile number with the country code of origin, both outside and inside the suitcases since the external tags often peel off during the trip.
Decorate your suitcases with creative designs: You can choose to carry very original and exclusive suitcases, which can be easily identified when they come out of the conveyor belt. So decorate them with the greatest possible creativity by sticking, for example, decals, or putting some brightly colored scarf or a well-fixed ribbon that hangs, among other options.
Travel with discreet and economical suitcases: If you want to avoid losing your luggage, not being a victim of theft, or it being attractive for another person to exchange, carry discreet, not very pretty or of high quality suitcases; and even if you want to show off at the airport by carrying the most current and elegant things, the best is security.
Do not carry food in your suitcases: This is not convenient because in many countries there are specific restrictions on different types of food. In this way, it may be the case that they retain the suitcase, take away your food, and probably you stay without your luggage for several days.
Avoid flashy padlocks: It is convenient that you do not place very large and flashy padlocks in the suitcases since it could attract the attention not only the thieves’, but also the customs agents’, who could suspect and wonder what you could be taking inside upon carrying such a lock, and you will probably be called for checking your bags, which is usually tedious, and even in some countries it becomes very annoying.
Your mobile is your best friend: Losing your luggage is an inconvenience that can happen not only at the airport, but after leaving it, at the exit when you wait for the taxi, and even going in it to the hotel when you usually fall asleep on the way, and so on. In those cases, your mobile will be your best ally, not only to report the loss, but to remind you through its alarm that you must be aware of your luggage when getting off, or that you wake up because you are reaching your destination.
Be very aware in the check-in: When the check-in is made to deliver the luggage, it is essential to check the labels that are placed on the suitcases very carefully, where they are identified with the final destination of the trip and the flight number; so check very carefully, it doesn’t matter that it takes longer in that phase of the trip. Keep the ticket given to you, which must match the one in the suitcases because this is the only evidence you will have before the airline.
Be aware of your suitcase at all times: When the suitcases start to come out of the conveyor belt, we must keep our eyes wide open to prevent mistakes of our own and other passengers, as well as thefts that are very frequent.
Check the labels and suitcases thoroughly: In order not to lose your luggage, it is important to check both the labels and the suitcases very carefully to avoid the risk of taking a suitcase very similar to yours, and then you lose your belongings who knows for how long, in addition to causing a serious problem to another passenger.
Divide the belongings into two suitcases: When it comes to losing your suitcases, it is difficult for them to be lost all at once, unless the labels have been changed, or during the check-in the tickets have been exchanged with another passenger’s. Therefore, it is advisable to divide the most valuable things between two or more suitcases, and if possible, carry what you can in your handbag, especially small things of more value, as well as your passport, cell phone, camera, laptop, among others.
Use padlocks or packaging: In order not to lose your suitcases, it is convenient to always place padlocks or wrap them with packaging because the safer they look, the less likely they are stolen or be open to subtract some striking things that you carry.
It is recommended taking out insurance: It is better to take out insurance for your luggage to partially recover the value of lost things in case of losing your luggage, and thus the airline does not cover the loss.
Travel with a large suitcase: If it is within your means, it is preferable to carry only a large suitcase and not several small ones since, in this way, you can control everything better, and handle it better.
If you will make stops, you should check the luggage tickets: Be careful and verify that the suitcase ticket matches the final destination of the trip, especially when making stops in other countries to avoid losing the luggage by mistake of the airline staff.
Find out about your rights: In case of losing your suitcase, it is good to report on the Montreal Convention, which establishes that the airlines are responsible during the international trips they make when there are cases of damage to both their passengers and their luggage or merchandise.
Have a good attitude when claiming: If your suitcase has been lost, you should go to the airline staff and make the claim; but, even if you are very upset, act with kindness, keep a good attitude so that they attend to your request with greater interest and thus you can recover your belongings as soon as possible.
ALFA