Has your baggage been delayed, lost or damaged? what should you do

(CNN) – It’s enough to give anyone already worried about a mess in the sky another reason to release an antacid: the possibility of baggage being delayed, lost, or damaged.

The concern is true.

Handing out checked bags may seem like a leap of confidence these days.

How bad is the problem?

In May 2021, 0.38 out of 100 planned bags were handled. This number has increased to 0.56 per 100 bags planned for May 2022.

However, that still puts more than 99 out of 100 bags going where they need to go without incident.

Scott Keyes, founder of Flight Deals and RScott’s Cheap Flights website, on Ravel’s advice site, said it encourages people not to let news of baggage problems stop their flights and vacations.

“Every bag lost is a major disruption to the people whose bag is there – and I certainly don’t want to underestimate that – but I want people to have the proper perspective in the vast majority of cases, your flight will fly and your checked bag will arrive.”

Paula Tweedal, Senior Vice President of Travel at AAA, sees better days ahead.

“As staffing improves, more pilots are trained and the frequency of flights increases, we’ll see this problem start to disappear,” she said in an email to CNN Travel.

In the meantime, you are not completely helpless. There are things you can do and strategies you can take to help avoid or at least reduce the impact of lost and late baggage.

Before you go to the airport

Non-stop flight reservations: If you’re really concerned about your checked baggage, Keyes said, prioritize non-stop flights or at least short layovers with a good amount of time.

“Bags are more likely to get lost in this inter-plane transfer when connecting, especially if there is a tight connection.” This doubles, he said, for international flights with narrow connections.

Consider discount airlines: He said full-service airlines are more likely to lose your bags than discount airlines, which tend to have more non-stop flights and are less likely to lose a bag in transit.

Older airlines tend to have more connecting flights. Keys said he wouldn’t make a booking decision based solely on this, but it was “an interesting side factor to consider.”

Take pictures of your luggage and its contents: Jo Hoban, a travel agent in Spanish Fork, Utah, about 50 miles south of Salt Lake City, told CNN Travel that she advises her clients to “take a picture of their bags because the first thing airline offices will ask is what the brand name of the bag is, what is The color of the bag, its size and contents.”

She also said that people should put what they plan to pack on the bed and take a picture of that too. If the bag is lost, this helps create a content history.

Use of baggage tracking: “Many airlines allow you to see the status of your bags in their apps, which helps with peace of mind when your bag is on the flight with you — or at least gives you insight into the location of your bag in case it is delayed,” Scott’s Cheap Flights said in a mailed press release. mail.

“I took a suitcase from the carousel at the airport in Salt Lake [City]. Fortunately, I knew people who took my bag so it was easy to replace. “But then again, what if I don’t know these people? What if they are complete strangers and get my bag home? I hope they are good, honest people and I see I have a name and phone number in the bag that they can call me and tell me what’s wrong.”

handbag strength: Airlines can’t lose your baggage that you never check in. Twidale suggests packing as lightly as possible and using only handbags. You’ll save time when you leave the airport and have peace of mind.

Review your credit card coverage: Before you buy additional travel insurance, Keyes suggested that you check your credit card policy for travel protection.

You may get supplemental compensation (for what the airlines do not cover) not only for lost bags, but also compensation for things you may need to purchase while waiting for your bag.

At the airport before traveling

Check your bags in time: Travelers United says last-minute baggage check-ins can lead to a higher chance of trouble.

“Don’t stress the system. The slightest delay can have serious consequences when your baggage is sailing below the conveyor belt and being picked up for security screening with little time to spare,” their website says.

Turn on the phone’s camera again: Keys suggested that before handing over the checked bags, open them up and take a picture.

“If your bag is really lost, and you have any valuables in there…having a photo of what was inside will really advance your case for compensation after the accident.”

If your baggage is delayed

Report your problem and fill out the forms at the airport: If your bags do not appear, tell the airline.

“Often, airline staff will explain that baggage has been located but will be delayed until the next flight,” Travelers United says. “If you have time, wait. If you don’t have time, fill out the appropriate forms for lost baggage at the airport.”

Let the airline deliver your bags: If an airline can locate your bags, but it will take hours before they arrive, Keys said, make sure the delegates have the address they will be at and use the airline’s delivery service.

Keep receipts: Scott’s Cheap Flights advises, “If you buy anything to make you go days without your luggage—from new swimwear to toothpaste—keep the receipts. You may need to reimburse them.”

If your luggage is lost

“They have an aviation executive where they are more active in protecting consumers and trying to clamp down on airlines when they don’t provide customers with the kind of compensation or reimbursement they are required to do under federal laws.”

Limitation of Liability: There are fine print, exceptions, and hurdles related to paperwork/documentation, but you can eventually get paid for your lost bags.

They are responsible for damage to wheels, handles and straps.