<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0o2914_0wMrz1MT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0o2914_0wMrz1MT00" width="2000" height="1334" ><figcaption>Traveler’s suitcase on a luggage belt at the airport terminal.&nbsp; Photo by iStock.com/Marcin Kilarski</figcaption></figure>It’s every traveler’s worst nightmare to arrive at the luggage carousel and discover that their luggage is nowhere to be found. Unfortunately, this situation has become increasingly common. My suitcase has been lost before, and in the United States, about 1 in 150 travelers experience lost or misdirected checked luggage each year. If your suitcase goes missing, the most important thing to do is to stay calm, as more often than not, it will often be found and returned. If not, you may be eligible for compensation for your lost items up to the maximum liability set by the Department of Transportation (DOT).Be Patient and Confirm Your Luggage Is Actually Lost“Generally, when a checked bag does not arrive at its destination, airlines are responsible for locating the bag,” the DOT told Travel and Leisure. Airlines have tracking systems to identify the location of lost bags, and many now provide passengers with real-time tracking information. Sometimes, it may take up to 30 to 45 minutes for a bag to arrive at the luggage carousel due to staffing issues and the size of the plane, or it might end up at a different carousel. If you’ve waited, checked other carousels, the airline’s baggage office or another holding area, and still can’t find your bag, it’s time to speak with the airline.If Still Nowhere to be Found, File a Missing Baggage ReportFind the baggage desk for the airline that operated your final flight, usually located next to the carousels, and inform them that your bag is missing. Show the agent the bag tag you received at check-in, and they may be able to locate your bag in their system. If not, you’ll need to fill out a missing baggage report, providing details such as the brand, color, size, any unique marks, and approximate weight, as well as your contact information, local address, and flight details. Make sure to file a baggage claim as soon as possible, keep your case reference number to track its status online, and maintain communication with the airline.Understand What Your Airline Covers and Doesn’t CoverMost airlines have policies regarding lost or delayed baggage, so be sure to ask and understand what is covered and what is not. Then, you can go shopping for essentials that are lost, but be sure to keep all your receipts to submit for reimbursement later. Some carriers also keep amenity kits on hand in baggage offices to pass out to passengers with missing luggage, while others will even provide courtesy car seats if your child’s seat is delayed. Double-check your airline’s policy for delayed bags, some of which are outlined below:<ul><li>Alaska Airlines: Allows reimbursement for “travel essentials.”</li><li>American Airlines: Allows reimbursement “for items you need immediately while away from home without your bags.”</li><li>Delta Air Lines: Allows “reasonable expense reimbursements” of generally $50 per day for the first five days.</li><li>United Airlines: Allows “reimbursement for expenses” based on acceptable proof of claim.</li><li>Southwest Airlines: Allows for “reimbursement of reasonable expenses you may have incurred.”</li></ul><h2>Lost vs. Delayed Baggage</h2>Also, it’s important to differentiate between lost and delayed baggage. Most airlines will declare a bag lost between five and 14 days after the flight, and once an airline determines that a bag is lost, they are responsible for compensating the passenger for the bag’s contents — subject to depreciation and maximum liability limits. Delayed baggage, on the other hand, means that it has been located and will be delivered to you within a few days, and the airline typically won’t cover any expenses for delayed baggage. If you’re flying with Delta or Alaska, submit a baggage guarantee claim for 2,500 bonus miles if your bags aren’t delivered to the carousel within 20 minutes of arrival.There Is a Limit on How Much You Can be CompensatedIf your bag is considered lost and you receive reimbursement, the maximum amounts are set by the DOT. For domestic flights, DOT regulations allow airlines to limit their liability for a lost, damaged, or delayed bag to $3,800, while for international flights, the limit is about $1,700. While airlines can choose to pay more than the maximum, they are not required to do so. Most claim forms will ask you to list everything in the bag, including purchase dates and original receipts for items over a certain dollar amount. Keep in mind that depreciation applies, so don’t expect full reimbursement for a suit you bought five years ago.<h2>Contact Your Credit Card Company</h2>While airlines may try to limit the reimbursement they provide for reasonable expenses when your bags are delayed, some credit cards cover baggage delays if you booked your flight using them. Make sure to contact your credit card issuer as soon as possible. Credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, and Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offer baggage delay insurance, which might cover up to $100 a day for five days if your suitcase is delayed, while others cover the same amount for three days.<h2>Escalate Your Situation When Necessary</h2>If you aren’t receiving updates through the online system and can’t get any details from the local airport, you can contact the airline via Twitter or call customer service. If you have elite status with the carrier, you may find a more proactive agent willing to help. If you still aren’t making progress after 24 hours, consider filing a complaint with the Department of Transportation. While this may not expedite your claim, it will draw greater attention to the issue, it will draw greater attention to the matter. “Airlines are required to acknowledge consumer complaints within 30 days of receipt and to send consumers written responses addressing these complaints within 60 days.”How You Can Reduce the Chance for Lost Luggage<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1SjMJ7_0wMrz1MT00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1SjMJ7_0wMrz1MT00" width="1250" height="833" ><figcaption>A blue luggage waiting at the check-in counter.&nbsp; Photo by iStock.com/Pongchart</figcaption></figure>First, refrain from packing valuables, irreplaceable items, or fragile belongings in your checked bag to minimize potential loss. Always label your bag with your name and phone number on a baggage tag, and add anything more identifiable — a brightly colored ribbon, stickers, or a robust bag tag — to help expedite its return. Also, try to check in for your flight early, as late check-ins can make it more challenging for your bag to get on board, increasing the chances of it getting lost. Keep your baggage claim stub until you have your bag in hand.Lastly, aim to keep your itinerary as simple as possible. Having multiple layovers, especially short ones, raises the chance of something going wrong. If you’re checking a bag, you should still pack a carry-on for all the important things — medication, jewelry, electronics, cash — you’ll need. We do this every time we travel to destinations where we will stay for a few weeks. Most insurance policies and airline reimbursement policies won’t cover these items if your bag is delayed or lost, so you’re much better off keeping them on your person.</div></body>

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About 1 in 150 Travelers Experience Lost or Mishandled Checked Luggage. Here’s What to Do If Your Airline Loses Your Luggage

It’s every traveler’s worst nightmare to arrive at the luggage carousel and discover that their luggage is nowhere to be found. Unfortunately, this situation has become increasingly common. My suitcase has been lost before, and in the United States, about 1 in 150 travelers experience lost or misdirected checked luggage each year. If your suitcase goes missing, the most important thing to do is to stay calm, as more often than not, it will often be found and returned. If not, you may be eligible for compensation for your lost items up to the maximum liability set by the Department of Transportation (DOT).