10 Tips to Help Minimize the Risk of Lost Luggage

Nobody likes lost luggage, but chances are high that frequent travelers will lose a piece of luggage at some point or another, as it happens to about 1% of bags. While some level of luck or misfortune is involved, there are things you can do to minimize the risk of lost luggage in the first place.

Don’t over-pack your suitcase.

While you may be proud of your packing abilities that let you fit an inordinate amount of clothes into one suitcase, you’re not doing yourself any favors by doing this. That’s because heavier suitcases are at a higher risk of getting stuck on the belts and being misdirected.

Remove old bag tags.

Having a suitcase covered with old luggage tags isn’t cool. It looks messy and can confuse the scanners that are trying to direct your bag to the right carousel. So remove your old bag tags before you check your bag.

Put your name and phone number on your luggage tags.

If your bag does get redirected and found somewhere else, it’ll make it a whole lot easier to return it to you if you have your name and phone number written clearly on the bag tag.

Get a distinct bag tag.

Choosing a colorful bag tag will make it more visible and identifiable. Also, ensure that it has a clear window and a sturdy loop so it can handle some rough handling without breaking off.

Keep your information in your luggage too.

Even the sturdiest bag tags can get ripped off, so it’s always a good idea to keep your contact information inside your luggage as well. This way if your luggage tag gets lost, you can still be reached.

Avoid loose strings, bows, and straps.

Strings, bows, and loose straps can easily get caught in the belts and get stuck or redirected. Tuck or clip any strings and if you can’t tuck the straps on your bag, put it in a gray bin.

Avoid weirdly shaped luggage.

Round bags and other weirdly shaped luggage can get redirected so it’s best to avoid them or put them in gray plastic bins if you need to check it.

Take a photo of your luggage.

Taking a photo of your luggage will give your luggage a better shot of getting identified if it does get lost.

Use a personal GPS tracking device.

Using a GPS tracker is the best way to recover your luggage if it gets lost. GPS trackers can show you and the airport staff exactly where your luggage is so it can be retrieved.

Pack essentials in your carry-on.

This step won’t help you avoid the risks of lost luggage, but keeping your essentials with you at all times in your carry-on will help you in case you follow these steps and your luggage still gets lost. While following all of these steps will definitely reduce your risks of losing luggage, it’s never a sure thing.

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