7 tips to help keep an airline from losing your luggage
Editor's Note
I firmly believe in bringing a carry-on and carry-on only. However, even I understand that some travelers, perhaps some of you reading this, feel that traveling with just a carry on isn't possible.
This may be the case if you're taking a long vacation, carrying gear for specialty trips or heading to events with dressy clothes that you'd prefer not to end up looking like a crushed bag of chips.
Instead of figuring out what to do once the airline loses your luggage, we've compiled tips travelers can take to reduce the chance their checked luggage will go astray in the first place.
An important note, though: Never check anything you can't live without, such as car keys, glasses or medicine. Also, leave your most precious items at home to avoid possible heartbreak.
Here are our seven tips to help keep an airline from losing your luggage.
Prep your bag in advance
Before you head to the airport, take a few minutes to remove all existing labels and tags from your previous trips, like destination bag tags and any barcode stickers that get put on your suitcase. Old tags can potentially create confusion about where your bag is headed on your current trip.
Also, identify your luggage with your name and contact information. Add a baggage tag on the outside of your suitcase with that information (and one inside in case the outside tag falls off or gets lost).
If you want to take it a step further, consider putting your business card and/or boarding pass inside your suitcase for extra validation. Additionally, you may want to photograph the contents and outside of the checked suitcase for future identification purposes.
Get to the airport early
If you want your bag to arrive when you do, don't be the person checking your bag as the doors to your flight close. Although most airlines allow you to check a bag up to 30 minutes before departure, don't rely on this. Airlines will always push back early if possible, and if your bag is late, the plane is not going to wait for it.
But don't check your bag too early
To clarify, we're not talking about checking a bag during the three-hours-before-departure time period that the airlines currently recommend (a benchmark that you should follow for international flights).
This is more of an issue when you show up four to six hours before departure to check in, per TPG senior writer Katie Genter. Katie said that's when luggage might go into a holding area instead of being sorted into the area for your flight, adding an unintended in-airport layover for your baggage that could lead to issues.
Keep an eye on the printer
When it comes time to check your bag, keep an eye on the printed tags to ensure all the information is correct, including the right airport and code, your correct name, your correct frequent flyer number and a clear barcode.
If you qualify for elite and priority tags, make sure they're also added to your bags.
Watch your bag go on its way
After you've confirmed that the agent correctly tagged your bag, don't walk away quite yet. Stay and watch to ensure your luggage is put on the conveyor belt or added to the checked bag cart. This is also important when using curbside checking.
Add an electronic tag and follow on the app
This is a great time to utilize technology, such as Apple AirTags, which help travelers track their suitcases via Bluetooth.
There are several other luggage trackers on the market, too, including LugLoc and Trakdot. They all have some minor operating differences. However, all allow you to keep track of your luggage via Bluetooth or GSM tracking technology on your phone.
I also recommend downloading your carrier's app since most large airlines now offer digital luggage receipts and bag tracking within their apps.
Keep your receipts
Finally, hold on to those baggage receipts the agent hands you. If something goes awry, you'll need them as proof. It will also help you get compensation from the airline for any issues.
Related reading:
- What to do when your luggage is delayed or lost by an airline
- What to do if an airline damages your luggage
- Carry-on vs. checked bags: Which is the better choice?
- What it's really like to use Apple's new AirTags to track your luggage
- Which credit cards cover baggage delays?
Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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$325Recommended Credit
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.