You waited with nervous anticipation at the baggage carousel expecting to see your suitcase appear on the belt. One by one, everyone else retrieved their bags as a sinking feeling slowly came over you. Eventually you stood alone and the carousel stopped. A dozen expletives fired in your head like shots from a pistol. So now what?
You may feel completely helpless but there are some things that you can do to increase the chances of seeing your stuff again soon. Just do the following.
1. Speak with the on-site baggage representatives for your airline. They should be located within the baggage claim area. Usually they are sitting at a counter in the corner near the odd-sized luggage claim, or walking around with a clipboard. In theory, the airline has tracked your bag using the bar code on the tracking sticker and they will know that your suitcase did not make the flight. Never assume that it will arrive on the next scheduled flight. Prepare yourself for the possibility that it will be missing for many days. And do the following…
- The baggage representative will complete a missing luggage form and gather your contact information. Keep this form in a safe place. It is important for tracking and for making insurance claims.
- Upon completion of the missing luggage form, make sure you get the agent’s full name (the person who filled out the form).
- Ask them for a local phone number and contact person to call with questions. Often, the baggage services phone number they provide you connects you to a main office or customer service center where representatives are far removed from your predicament and only placate you with scripted responses.
- Ask them if they have an online tracking system so you can check on the status of your bag.
2. If you are staying at a hotel, you can ask your concierge to help track your bag. They will need the information from your missing luggage form.
3. Access the airline’s global tracking website, if available. You will need the number from the form to access the tracking database. It is updated throughout the day as your bag is tracked within the system.
4. Leverage your credit card benefits. Most credit cards offer assistance when your baggage goes missing or is lost. Contact your credit card company and follow these steps…
- Contact your credit card and ask for travel assistance. They might be able to help you track your bag within the system.
- Ask about delayed baggage insurance/compensation. Most credit cards offer up to $100 per day delayed to purchase essentials while you wait for your bag to be delivered. Keep all of your receipts, your boarding passes, copies of your credit card statement with the flight purchase listed, and the airline’s missing baggage form to complete your claim paperwork.
- Ask about lost luggage insurance. Most credit cards offer $2000–$5000 insurance compensation once a bag has been deemed as lost by the airline. This designation can take up to 60 days, so keep all correspondence from the airline to assist with your claim process.
5. Continue to check in with the airline (via the contact information you acquired during the process). As they say, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil.” The more you (and your hotel concierge and credit card travel assistance rep) inquire about your missing bag, the better the chances it will be found.
6. Lastly, stay positive and courteous. Don’t lose sleep over it. And don’t be a jerk to airline personnel. Make them want to help you, not hate you. Chances are, you’ll get your bag back. Even if it takes a couple weeks.
(Photo: bogdanhoda/Shutterstock)
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