How to Prevent Lost Luggage When Flying

Just about everyone has been there: You spend hours packing for a trip, get to the airport early to check your bag, and when you get off of the plane, it’s nowhere to be found. When the airport loses your luggage it can ruin your whole vacation, and it can often take weeks to get it back. Follow these smart steps to avoid lost luggage and ensure that your experience at baggage claim is smooth and seamless.

1. Arrive early. By checking your bags early, you can almost guarantee that airport employees will spend more time tagging and sorting your bag. Studies show that travelers who arrive with less than 30 minutes to spare are more likely to get separated from their bags.
2. Pack a copy of your itinerary. While flimsy luggage tags can easily get torn off in transit, a copy of your itinerary inside of the bag will always stay put. Because airline employees often open delayed bags to check for information, this may help them reunite you with your luggage and prevent it from going missing.
3. Add something recognizable to your luggage. Even if the airline keeps your luggage in check, it can be very difficult to tell your suitcase apart from the others at baggage claim. Add a colorful ribbon or a luggage strap to make your bag more recognizable.

Prevent Lost Luggage: 3 Tips [Travel + Leisure]
7 Ways To Prevent Lost Luggage [HuffPost Travel]
7 tips for avoiding lost baggage [Today]