Checking your luggage at the airport can sometimes feel like relinquishing control over your belongings and there’s a chance your bags might not be there when you arrive. But by considering a few travel tips, you can ensure a smooth journey from check-in to baggage claim.
Checked baggage provides you with the convenience of not needing to carry a large or heavy carry-on bag and allows you to pack liquids and other restricted items in larger quantities. Additionally, you can enjoy a smoother security screening process if you aren’t traveling with a suitcase full of contents to be scanned. Before you check your luggage, however, make sure you consider these strategies.
Travel tips for checked luggage
Personalize your luggage
To reduce the risk of your luggage becoming lost, make sure your name and contact information are clearly displayed on both the outside and inside of your suitcase. Adding a luggage tag to your bag is a quick and easy way to make sure that you can be reached if your luggage goes missing. It is also a smart idea to include a card with your contact information inside of your suitcase in case your luggage tag falls off.
Additionally, you can add a bit of flair to your luggage so you can easily identify it at baggage claim. If you are purchasing a new suitcase, consider buying one in a vibrant color that is easily distinguishable from other luggage. Otherwise, you can tie a ribbon or bandana around one of your suitcase’s handles.
Consider travel insurance
Before you check your bags, consider purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance is never a bad idea, as it can cover unexpected travel issues such as lost baggage. Alternatively, many credit card companies offer delayed and lost baggage coverage if you purchase your plane ticket with their card.
Retain essential items
Although checked baggage can reduce the weight of your carry-on bag, it is important to keep essential belongings by your side. Any valuable items, irreplaceable belongings, and prescription medication should be kept in your carry-on luggage. Unfortunately, when you check your bag, you always run the risk of it getting lost, so it’s important to keep these crucial items with you at all times.
Bring a change of clothes in your carry-on
Another important item to keep in your carry-on bag is a change of clothes. If your luggage gets lost, this will ensure you have at least one fresh outfit to wear until your bags are returned, or you can shop for new clothing. Changing clothes is also necessary if you get stuck during a layover. Often, your bag will be checked to your final destination, and you will not be able to access it if your connecting flight is delayed or canceled.
Be on time, and follow the rules
Once you get to the airport, things can get hectic, so be sure to reduce your stress by giving yourself plenty of time to check in and get to your flight. This is especially important when checking baggage. If you check in late, you might get on the plane, but there’s a good chance your luggage won’t. Keep track of your claim checks and hold on to them until you have your bags in hand. If your bag gets lost, these claim checks will be necessary to file any claim with the airline.
Check the destination tags on the bags before putting them on the belt to see if they have the correct airport code. Remove any old tags so there will be no confusion about where the bag is going. The flight you choose is also a factor. To have a greater chance of a stress-free checked baggage experience, consider nonstop flights or flights with a stop but no plane change if you can. Flights where the bags have to be transferred to a different plane or even to a completely different airline have a much better chance of getting lost.
Should you check your luggage?
Checking your luggage is a decision that is entirely up to you and your individual preferences; we realize the advent of ever-increasing checked baggage fees makes checking bags an unappetizing option for some people. But sometimes, it’s a necessity when traveling with special equipment or excess liquids.
Traveling with only a carry-on suitcase is not realistic for everyone, so it is very important to follow these travel tips when packing and checking your bags. However, checking luggage at the airport does not need to be daunting. By packing strategically and staying organized throughout the process, you can enjoy a stress-free travel experience.
