Is your luggage delayed, lost or damaged? What you should do

(CNN) — It is sufficient to offer anybody already nervous concerning the chaos within the skies but another excuse to pop an antacid: the prospect of delayed, misplaced or broken baggage.

The priority is legitimate.

Handing over checked suitcases can nearly really feel like a leap of religion nowadays.

How unhealthy is the issue?

In Might 2021, 0.38 out of 100 baggage enplaned had been mishandled. That determine went as much as 0.56 per 100 baggage enplaned in Might 2022.

Nevertheless, that also places greater than 99 out of 100 baggage going the place they wanted to go with out incident.

Scott Keyes, the founding father of flight offers and travel recommendation web site Scott’s Low-cost Flights, mentioned he is encouraging folks to not let information of luggage points put them off their flights and holidays.

“Each bag that will get misplaced is a large disruption for the folks whose bag that’s — and I actually do not need to downplay that — however I do need of us to have the right perspective that within the overwhelming majority circumstances, your flight goes to fly and your checked bag goes to reach,” he advised CNN Journey.

Paula Twidale, senior vice chairman of journey for AAA, sees higher days forward.

“As staffing improves, extra pilots are educated and flight frequency will increase, we are going to see this situation begin to disappear,” she mentioned in an e-mail to CNN Journey.

Within the meantime, you are not completely powerless. There are issues you are able to do and techniques you’ll be able to take to assist keep away from or a minimum of decrease the affect of misplaced and delayed baggage.

Earlier than you go to the airport

Ebook nonstop flights: In case you’re actually involved about your checked baggage, prioritize nonstop flights or a minimum of layovers with a beneficiant period of time, Keyes mentioned.

“Luggage are almost definitely to get misplaced in that switch between planes at connection, particularly if there is a tight connection.” And he mentioned that is doubly so for worldwide flights with tight connections.

Contemplate low cost airways: He mentioned full-service airways usually tend to lose your baggage than the low cost airways, which are likely to have extra nonstop flights which have a decrease probability of dropping a bag in transit.

Legacy airways are likely to have extra connecting flights. Keyes mentioned he would not make a reserving choice based mostly solely on this, but it surely’s “an attention-grabbing facet issue to think about.”

Take photos of your baggage and its contents: Jo Hoban, a journey agent in Spanish Fork, Utah, about 50 miles south of Salt Lake Metropolis, advised CNN Journey that she advises her purchasers to “take an image of their baggage as a result of the primary issues airline places of work will ask you is what’s the model identify of the bag, what’s the coloration of the bag, the dimensions of the bag and the contents of the bag.”

She additionally mentioned folks ought to lay out what they’re planning to pack on the mattress and take an image of that, too. If the bag is misplaced, that helps create a content material document.

Use baggage monitoring: “Many airways mean you can see the standing of your baggage of their apps, which can assist provide you with peace of thoughts that your bag is on the flight with you — or a minimum of provide you with perception into your bag’s location ought to it get delayed,” Scott’s Low-cost Flights mentioned in an e-mail information launch.

“I’ve had a bag taken off the carousel on the airport in Salt Lake [City]. Fortunately, I knew the individuals who took my bag so it was simple to alternate it,” she mentioned. “However once more, what if I didn’t know these folks? What in the event that they had been complete strangers and acquired my bag residence? Hopefully, they’re good, trustworthy folks and see that I’ve a reputation and telephone quantity within the bag that they’ll name me and let me know the error.”

The ability of carry-ons: The airways cannot lose baggage you by no means test in. Twidale suggests packing as mild as you’ll be able to and use simply carry-ons. You may save time leaving the airport and have extra peace of thoughts.

Assessment your bank card protection: Before you purchase additional journey insurance coverage, Keyes advised you test your bank card coverage for journey safety.

You would possibly get supplemental compensation (for what the airways do not cowl) not just for misplaced baggage, but additionally for reimbursements for issues you could want to purchase whilst you’re ready on your bag.

On the airport earlier than you fly

Examine your baggage in a well timed method: Vacationers United says last-minute baggage check-ins can result in a better likelihood of hassle.

“Do not push the system. The smallest delay can have severe penalties when your baggage is cruising down the conveyor belt and chosen for safety examination with little time to spare,” its web site says.

Work that telephone digital camera once more: Keyes advised that simply earlier than handing over your checked suitcases, open them up and take an image.

“In case your bag does get misplaced, and you have got any valuables in there … having {a photograph} of what was in there’s actually going to bolster your case to get compensation after the actual fact.”

In case your baggage is delayed

Report your situation and fill out kinds on the airport: In case your baggage have not proven up, let the airline know.

“Many instances, airline personnel will clarify that the baggage has been positioned however will probably be delayed till the following flight,” Vacationers United says. “In case you have the time, wait. If not, fill out the suitable misplaced baggage kinds on the airport.”

Let the airline ship your baggage: Keyes mentioned if an airline can find your suitcases however it should be hours earlier than they arrive, be sure that the reps have the tackle the place you may be and use the airline’s supply service.

Maintain receipts: “In case you purchase something to get you thru the times with out your baggage — from a brand new swimsuit to toothpaste — preserve the receipts. It’s possible you’ll want these to get reimbursed,” Scott’s Low-cost Flights advises.

In case your baggage is misplaced

“They have a particular aviation enforcement workplace the place they’re being far more pro-active about defending customers and attempting to clamp down on airways after they’re not offering clients with the kind of compensation or reimbursement that they are required to do beneath federal legal guidelines.”

Legal responsibility limits: There’s tremendous print, exceptions and paperwork / documentation hurdles, however you’ll be able to ultimately get money on your misplaced baggage.

They’re accountable for injury to wheels, handles and straps.