When we travel with a suitcase full of necessary things, one of the most worrying things that can happen is Lost luggage at the airport is This can turn the first moments of the trip into a nightmare. In such a situation, the question arises: what should we do if our luggage is lost on a foreign flight? And is it possible to claim damages from airlines or insurance companies? In this article from tourism magazine fly todayGuidelines for follow-up and compensation Lost luggage at the airport We will provide
How to prevent lost luggage and cargo at the airport
Preventing lost luggage at the airport can reduce your stress and worry. Here are some solutions to prevent this problem:
Use of identification tags
Most suitcases already have some sort of ID tag hanging from their handle. But if your luggage does not have a tag, be sure to tag them before your trip. Tags with special QR codes are very useful to determine the exact location of the bag. Try to use a label that has a good material and its color does not change over time. Enter your contact information on the tags, so that you are easily notified if your luggage is lost at the airport. You can stick these labels on the inside and outside of your luggage so that you don’t get confused when you pick up your luggage at the airport.
Baggage marking
It is better for your luggage to have a clear characteristic so that it can be identified faster on the baggage rail at the airport. For this, you can get a small roll of clear tape and wrap a piece of it around the strap or handle of the luggage. This bright strip can be a sign to identify your lost luggage. Try to use luggage with a special design or bold colors. This will make your luggage easier to identify and reduce the chance of it getting lost.
Pre-flight baggage check
Before you fly, make sure you’ve checked your luggage properly and received a luggage tag. Also, match the baggage information with your flight number.
Removing old luggage tags
When checking luggage at the airport, tags are placed on them. Remove old tags to avoid lost luggage at the airport or human error. In other words, you should remove the adhesive labels that are installed by the airline company on the luggage so that the new labels can be easily identified on the luggage.
Taking a photo of the luggage
Take a detailed photo of your bag or suitcase and save it to your camera phone or digital camera. In this way, if your luggage is lost at the airport, you can present its photo to the landing agents. It may not seem like a big deal to have a photo of your luggage with you, but imagine if your luggage got lost at the airport due to its resemblance to another luggage. In such cases, you can refer to the more detailed details of the luggage when giving your descriptions to the airport officials.
Use of safety locks
Use safety locks for your luggage. In addition to increasing the security of the luggage, this work prevents the internal items from falling if it is suddenly opened. You may encounter the problem of losing your luggage at the airport, but if this happens, you should make it difficult and somewhat impossible to access its contents. So, get a good lock for your luggage before traveling. If the luggage is encrypted, be sure to consider a difficult and unusual password for it.
What to do after the luggage is lost at the airport?
If your luggage is lost on the flight, go to the airport information booth and report that your luggage is lost. Fill the form (PIR) that is given to you to complain about the occurrence of an accident. Note that filling out the form does not mean asking for compensation, but you must submit your complaint about lost luggage in writing.
Report lost luggage as soon as possible
Considering that airlines have different rules, you should know that if your luggage is damaged, you have up to 7 days to report it. Of course, there is no limit for reporting lost luggage at the airport, but it is better not to exceed 21 days.
Ask for compensation
If, after reporting, your luggage is confirmed to be permanently lost, the airline is liable to pay compensation. Keep in mind that each airline has its own rules and conditions. Some airlines pay compensation in cash and others in the form of a discount.
Of course, you must have reported the lost luggage at the airport before the 21 days. Also, if you have taken an international flight and lost your luggage, the airline is obliged to pay an amount to cover the travel expenses.
Keep the travel documents
Remember to keep the ticket and baggage invoice tags, a copy of the lost baggage complaint form with you until it is found, so that you can use them in case the airline avoids paying compensation.
Don’t forget to follow up
Administrative processes are often time-consuming. If you report the missing luggage to the airline, do not stop pursuing it legally. In fact, you should know that the follow-up of these cases sometimes takes weeks and months.
How to deal with lost luggage at the airport?
The thought of being on a trip and losing your luggage and essentials is very stressful. So, before this problem occurs, it is better to take actions such as labeling the luggage, marking the luggage, removing the previous tags, locking the luggage and taking photos of the luggage. But again, in case of such a problem that may arise based on human errors and disruption of the airline’s communication system, by taking steps, you can find the luggage or request compensation.
In case of lost luggage, you must fill out a special PIR form in the airport information section. Then submit your complaint in writing to the airline within 21 days after the loss of the luggage and ask the airline for help in paying the travel expenses. Keep in mind that the follow-up process for claiming compensation takes time.
Frequently asked questions about lost luggage at the airport
If the luggage is lost, how long will it take to find it?
The time to find the luggage depends on different conditions. Usually, airlines take 24 to 28 hours to find the luggage, but this time may be longer.
Can I get compensation if my luggage is not found?
Yes, if your luggage is not found, airlines usually pay compensation for lost luggage. To receive compensation, you must provide the necessary documents.
Can I track the status of my luggage online?
Yes, most of the airlines have provided the possibility to track the status of the luggage online. You can check the status of your lost luggage by entering the tracking code.
How to track lost luggage on a foreign flight?
If you lose your luggage on foreign flights, you need to do the following steps:
- Report lost to airport cargo services
- Fill out the form
- Follow up online or by phone
What is the damage of lost luggage at the airport?
Compensation by the airline company or travel insurance can compensate you for the loss of luggage.
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