Episode 90: If Your Luggage is Lost/Delayed

07Nov 2022 by EJtheTravelDiva

In episode 88, I talked about how you can minimize your chances of your luggage getting lost or delayed.

In today’s episode, I will be talking about the things that you can do if your luggage either doesn’t arrive at your destination or arrives a few days later. This happened to one of us in our group when we travelled to Riu Baja California, and it is not the way you want to be starting your vacation.

Let’s get into it:

[02:35] Packing.

When you’re packing for your vacation, you want to make sure you’ve packed enough into your carry-on luggage to comfortably get through 24 hours at your destination.

Pack one outfit, essential toiletries, medications, and a swimsuit for those beach destinations.

[03:59] Report the issue and fill out the forms.

This is the first thing you want to do when you get to your destination and your luggage is not there.

You need to report the issue and fill out all the necessary forms with the airline.

They can do nothing to help you if they don’t know about the issue.

[04:34] Stay in touch with the airline.

Yes, you’re on vacation, and no one wants to be on the phone all the time while they’re supposed to be enjoying their vacation, but you need to keep in contact with the airline and make sure they’re doing everything they can to get you your lost luggage.

[05:37] Travel insurance.

If you purchased travel insurance and your luggage is lost, you need to let the travel insurance company know, because they will do everything to get your luggage to you while you relax at your vacation destination.

This is why travel insurance is so important. It isn’t only for refunding you if you cancel.

Their luggage lost/delayed policies, combined with the airline’s compensation policies, could save you significant stress and money in the event of lost or delayed luggage.

You want to know those policies, including how long the luggage needs to be delayed or lost before you can start purchasing necessary items for reimbursement, and what the reimbursement limit is.

[09:16] Keep your receipts.

Keep all your receipts of your purchases during the time that your luggage is missing.

These will help you keep track of your expenses that you can show to your travel insurance and the airline for reimbursement.

Again, know your reimbursement limit.

[10:02] Let the airline deliver your luggage.

If the airline manages to find your luggage, make sure they deliver it to you instead of you going to collect it at the airport.

You are on vacation. You don’t need to be paying to go to the airport to collect your luggage.

[11:26] You can get a voucher for your luggage.

You probably paid baggage fees for checking your luggage.

Check your airline’s policy on lost/delayed luggage to see whether or not you are entitled to reimbursement of those baggage fees.

I hope this episode gave you the confidence to go out and enjoy your vacation even if your luggage gets lost or delayed. You shouldn’t have to give up your good time because of something that the airline did.

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