Last week, I wrote a tip titled Brilliant: How a Simple Picture Can Prevent Headaches and Hassles if an Airline Loses Your Bag.
The Cliff Notes version of the tip is that a luggage expert told me if you take a photo of your luggage tag and the airline misplaces it, it will help tremendously in the search for your bag. Especially, if you hire a service like Blue Ribbon Bags, which is basically $5 insurance that will assign an agent to find your bag at airports all over the world. If they can’t find it, you could get $1,000. Here’s more on their service.
One of my readers, Mike, from Tulsa, sent me an email with two photos, saying: “This morning given to SW in San Diego. This afternoon back from SW in Tulsa.” The before and after photos are below:
Southwest Airlines obviously damaged his bag so I replied to him, saying, “I hope you filed a complaint before leaving the airport.”
Mike said, “I did immediately file an onsite complaint. The unsmiling SW baggage lady gave us a choice after we showed her same day before and after bag photographs (thanks for your tip). Choice one – Go on their baggage web site and order a replacement bag. Choice two – Take a $150 SW travel voucher good for one year and if we lose the voucher it will NOT be replaced. We took the voucher.”
I think that’s a fair offer but it just shows the importance of taking photos. My wife has had her bag damaged a couple of times and we’ve learned to always file a report before leaving the airport because airlines are generally good about replacing or compensating you either with cash, a travel credit or bonus miles.
RELATED: Why Frequent Fliers Use Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags When They Travel
Obviously, the best way to travel is with carry-on only but if you have to check a bag, be sure to take a few seconds to take some photos. In addition to your baggage tag and the exterior of your suitcase, take a photo of the contents inside so you know what you packed for personal reasons and if you ever need to file a ticket.
You won’t regret it. If you’ve ever had an airline damage your bag, please share in the comments below what they did to help.
RELATED: 8 Ways To Make Sure An Airline Doesn’t Lose Your Bag … And That You Don’t Get Robbed or Stalked
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Nowadays I always travel with carry-on luggage only, but you never know when the airline is going to take your bag at the gate and check it. Whether you take a photo or not, it’s always good to strap or tie on some conspicuously contrasting colored band or pompom so your bag stands out from all the rest.
Thanks to everyone for sharing. I was taking a weekend trip. My first trip anywhere since before Covid. I had to buy a new carry on and personal item bag. I bought Pink especially so it was unique and it was on sale. I learned a long time ago no black, navy or grey. Tying something bright to the handle sounds great. But mine was lost easily. Use a zip tie. Also for your info tag. A new small travel purse gave me a lot of safety. RFID, Safety strap that couldn’t be cut, fabric for main purse reinforced against slashing. This I did buy in navy so it was less noticeable. Can’t wait for another trip via the skies!
The biggest mistake made by people using public transportation, i.e. Planes and trains, is using their home address on their luggage ID tags, rather than using the address of their destination. If a bag is lost and later found, there’s a good chance it will be returned to the address on the luggage tag. Of course, it doesn’t mean you will get it any faster if it missed your flight to Puerto Vallarta and was send to Denver as happened to us. The bag showed up four days later at our Puerto Vallarta Hotel.