Sourced from Bloomberg | July 26, 2022 by Nikki Ekstein
FILE UNDER: WHO KNEW
Money still buys peace of mind, even in an era of unprecedented travel nightmares?
If our luggage could talk, they would have a lot to say!
Mishandled luggage incidents were up 60% in the US from April 2021 to March 2022. In Europe, insurers report a 30% spike in lost bag claims compared to summer 2019. This does not tell us the whole story of the chaos happening at airports right now. More telling are the images of baggage being piled up at unclaimed airport storehouses, or airlines filling planes up with bags but without their owners.
That's only the bags. There are roughly 20,000 delayed and canceled flights every day, not to mention hours-long security and immigration queues, missed connections, and inflated prices. This doesn't mean travelers are powerless though. Here are five great tips to get you and your bags through your next trip unscathed!
Know how your luggage protection works
Travel insurance policies can cover lost bags but there isn't usually a payout if a suitcase shows up. This means the claims can sit around for so long that you've already returned from your trip — with a new wardrobe!
Policies often require travelers to maintain an itemized list of what was packed, including receipts to prove all the costs of lost belongings. It's a time-consuming exercise that will discourage most claimers.
An insurance company called Blue Ribbon Bags guarantees up to $2000 in reimbursement for each piece of baggage that's gone missing for at least 4 days. The amount depends on the exact policy; travelers may insure bags for as little as $5 or $10 each and netting respective payouts of up to $1000-$2000.
Caveats: Travelers must file a report of missing luggage to their airline within 24 hours to collect the correct documentation to prove and process the claim. While you can insure luggage at any time until departure, even covering bags that are checked at the gate last minute, you can’t make the investment in the middle of a connection that appears problematic.
Ship Your Luggage or Rent Locally
Not everyone can carry all the luggage they need on board. So if you're traveling with a bunch of kids to a wedding, or moving cross country, consider specialized shipping services such as Luggage Forward. Note that It's not cheap and does require planning.
A more conventional trip may be less expensive. Shipping bags from New York to Amsterdam- where Schiphol airport is so burdened that it has at times stopped accepting checked luggage on certain connecting flights — the cost is $359 for a standard suitcase that will arrive in seven business days.
There's also the option of renting whatever you need for wherever that is you're going rather than taking it with you. Rent the Runway has started recently partnering up with hotels.
Don't Expect An Airtag to Save You
Many travelers have resorted to putting tracking devices such as AirTags in their luggage as a precautionary measure should they become separated from their bags.
Consider this scenario: A passenger's AirTag notified her that her bag was not on board. She alerted the flight attendant, the airline was able to address its mistake and get the bag properly loaded on the cargo right away. If you have the technology and the means to solve the problem, it might help you in a best-case scenario but only if you know where your luggage is…
Book Morning Flights
Flights are usually worse in the evenings — that's when passengers are getting ready to depart on overnight transatlantic flights. It's one reason advisers are recommending that you book daytime flights and morning flights instead. Those flights are usually more reliable and on time.
Use Your Credit Card Perks
Some airport conveniences that you are willing to pay for may already be taken care of by your credit card.
For example, your credit card may include a free signup for CLEAR, the biometric airport security service that's often much faster than TSA PreCheck. Even if your card doesn't cover the $189 annual fee, you may want to consider joining the program. Registration is fast and easy.
Similarly, you can employ Priority Pass, a network of independent airport lounges with 1,300 locations around the world. Its lounges are often smaller and less plush than say the American Express Centurion ones. If your card offers free access to such benefits, they are definitely worth considering.
