Do you know what to do when your luggage is lost?
If your luggage does not appear on the baggage conveyor belt, here is what to do:
Go to the Baggage Claim Office
The airline will not take any steps to deliver your baggage, unless you formally filed a claim. That is why you should always go to the airports Baggage Claim Office (or Lost & Found Desk) to officially report your baggage as lost. This is called a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). Ask for a reference number of your claim, the name of the person who helps you and get a follow-up phone number. Describe the baggage with lots of details: colors, type, brand, damages, stickers, et cetera.
Contact your airline immediately
Make sure you contact the airline immediately. Preferably when you are still at the airport. Go to the airline airport desk. The airline will be able to inform you whether your baggage is registered as delayed. If your baggage was sent to the wrong airport, it can take quite some time before your baggage will arrive at the right destination.
Register your luggage at Seal & Trace
Did you wrap/seal your baggage at Seal & Go? Please register your baggage online using the Trace Code and Key Code on the Seal & Trace sticker on the backside of your receipt. This is still possible when the luggage is already lost. If someone finds your luggage, that person can contact you through the Seal & Trace website without seeing your personal data. You will receive an automatic email message when the luggage has been found.
Contact the airline for updates
Contact the airline again on updates regarding your lost luggage. When they find your luggage, most airlines will deliver your luggage to your hotel or home.
File a claim with the airline
Has your luggage not been found after 24 hours? Then you will be able to file a claim with the airline. Most airlines offer compensation for lost luggage. Also, keep receipts of any costs incurred because the luggage did not arrive at its destination. And check the conditions of the travel insurance and your credit card. You may be entitled to compensation.
Reunited with your luggage
When you are reunited with your luggage, you should check if everything is still there. Also, check your luggage on damages. The airline will probably reimburse any damage (officially called ‘airline damage’).
Common reasons for luggage to get lost:
Luggage tag ticket errors
The printed luggage tag is printed badly or crooked, or it gets stuck and torn off after tagging. It also occurs that the attendant accidentally fills out the wrong airport code and your baggage gets loaded onto the wrong airplane.
Luggage switches
The baggage transport employee accidentally places your baggage on the wrong luggage cart. Or another passenger picks your baggage from the luggage belt, because it looks like its own suitcase or bag.
Security checks
Your baggage is too heavy, or it is checked by security and misses its flight.
Delayed flight
The flight is delayed, and the baggage handling is too slow for being transferred in time.
How to avoid your baggage getting lost:
Put your ID on your bag(s)
As stated, the printed baggage label can be printed badly or get stuck and torn off, that is why we always recommend you to also attach your own luggage tag with your name and contact details on it (or use Seal & Trace). Make sure to remove all old tags from your baggage before you check in your suitcase or bag, so airport/airline staff will not mistake sending your baggage to the wrong flight.
Stand out in the crowd
There are so many other black suitcases on the conveyor belt. Make sure your suitcase stands out in the crowd, so another passenger does not confuse your suitcase with its own.
Avoid short connection times
Most of the luggage gets lost during transfer. That is why – when you book your flight – you should avoid connecting flights with a short connection time.
Do not pack prohibited or restricted items
This will delay the transport of your luggage, and it may miss its flight. Secure loose straps and other loose parts, as this increases the chance of getting stuck in the baggage transportation system.
And last, but not least: seal your bag with Seal & Go
By adding a sealing, your luggage will be neatly packed as one piece. All loose items – such as buckles and loose parts – will be kept together. Meaning your baggage will not likely get stuck during transportation. If you seal your baggage with Seal & Go, the employee will weigh your baggage and tell you when it turns out to be too heavy. Seal & Go uses a transparent layer of foil, so you will still be able to recognize your own bag. And you will get a free Seal & Trace for tracing your baggage if it does get lost.
Tip
Take a photo of your luggage and its contents before checking it in. This makes it easier to submit a damage claim.