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Lost Luggage: Tips travelers need to know when losing or misplacing bags

Oct 14, 2015 08:10 AM EDT

A lot of travelers have either experienced losing, mishandling, or having damaged luggage at their destination. Then the most important thought would be to ask what to do next and who is responsible for these luggage problems.

The threat of lost luggage is the main concern shared by vacationers all over the globe. The good news for travelers  is that a new report by SITA suggests that the global air transport industry has reduced the rate of mishandled baggage since 2007. However, the bad news is that the average rate of lost luggage remains 7.3 bags per 1,000 passengers.

There are a lot of known reasons why travelers lose their bags. Once a bag is declared officially lost, the owner will have to submit a claim for damages. Then, fill out a second, different form than the original "missing luggage" form which will be more detailed. Missing the deadline for filing the form could invalidate your claim altogether. The airline will usually refer the claim form to a central office, and the negotiations between the owner and the airline will start off.

Travelers must also consider that sometimes someone may have picked up your bag on purpose, or by accident, and simply left it someplace else in the airport.  If that was the case, the airport police may have got it and have it in the airport police lost and found section. With that, the Transportation Security Administration listed the contact numbers for airport lost and found offices around the country.

But then, a vacationer must always take note that it is better to prevent losing important things in the luggage or even the luggage itself. One way to avoid misplacing your bag is through practicing total abstinence. The only way to assure that bags don't get lost or misplaced is to not check them in. A lot of travelers are keen about the sense of zen that can be achieved by traveling with a minimal number of belongings.

But  if someone can't stand the thought of traveling only with whatever might fit into a carry-on suitcase, other options are available such as shipping them ahead. As claimed in the Tim Ferris Experiement, another trend is catching up among individuals who always travel to the same hotel or resort. It is called travel caching. Nowadays, hotels allow regular guests to keep their belongings in storage. They'll take them up to your room when you're due to check in.

For vacationers' future travels, with these tips they'll be able to avoid losing their luggage. Regardless, booking a trip with a trusted luxury travel advisor will guarantee having an experienced backer on your side just in case you lost your belongings.