HOW TO DEAL WITH LOST LUGGAGE WHEN TRAVELING

Toni Braxton recently lost her luggage which had her allegedly $500, 000 engagement ring, she left it on a plane in her Louis Vuitton luggage and although the bag was later found, most of the items were missing from it, including her engagement ring!

She pleaded with whoever "borrowed" the luggage to return the ring only and keep the rest of the items, obviously it holds sentimental as well as huge financial value. The airlines are helping with the search for the singers missing jewelry.

Most of us are not Toni Braxton and I can imagine we will rather not lose our luggage or it's items. But these things happen. When you travel frequently, you may find yourself in one of the most frustrating situations in the world when your luggage is MIA and you have no idea where it is or how and when you will get it back or if you will ever get it back.

Don't panic. As annoying and frustrating as it is, these things happen, there is not yet a technology that ensures that airlines don't lose a luggage or two once in a while, even though airlines invest in many systems and policies in place to avoid such things, they still happen, human error or call it what you want, it happens.

First here are some tips on how to reduce the chances of your luggage going MIA

• Always ALWAYS carry customized bags, to reduce the chances of someone mistakenly carrying it assuming it's theirs. You can buy a unique bag in a unique color or manually customize your bag with personal items or get creative and do some DIYs

• Label your luggage clearly with your name and contact details. Just Incase still mistakenly takes your bag, chances are he/she won't get far before realizing they are holding the wrong bag, your contact details will make it easy for them to get it back to you.

• Pay attention when checking your luggage and make sure the correct destination ticket is attached. Also avoid late checking cause that usually leads to everything happening in a hurry and mistakes can happen when things are in a hurry.

• If you are on a connecting flight with different airline, you have to re check your luggage.

• Make sure that you keep the luggage stub from your checked luggage as it is your number one proof of ownership should your luggage get lost or stolen. It will usually be with your boarding pass, keep it with you.

• Far fetched and a bit extravagant but if you can afford it and have sentimental items and valuable items in your luggage, you may want to consider getting a traceable luggage.

So you followed all these steps and you still can't find your luggage? What then do you do?

Okay, so while you may be panicking and frustrated, chances are, you will find your bag. Eventually. So calm down, luggage's don't disappear into thin air.

• Check other carousels, holding areas and baggage offices because maybe, just maybe your bags were offloaded somewhere else.

• Another reason you may not see your bag is that it's been delayed, if that's the case, your check in tag would allow the airlines online system to find out why it's been delayed and where exactly it is and also when it would arrive

• If you are still unable to find your luggage or any information about it, it's time to report to the airlines officials. Or lost baggage offices. You should get a reference number after registering your complaint. Make sure to leave your correct contact details so that the airlines official can contact you with any relevant information.

• Most airlines websites have a lost baggage tracker section where you can put in the tracking number and see the status of your luggage.

• If the airline locates your luggage they should send it to your location free of charge.

• If you still received no news after 24 hours, you should contact the airline again and request a reimbursement for your checked luggage.

If your luggage is not found and returned after 21 days, it will be considered lost forever. You will then be able to make a ‘lost baggage’ claim with the airline and be compensated for loss. You may need to provide proof of ownership and provide receipts for the valuables that was in your bag.

Note: Different airlines may have different policies for lost luggages and compensation rates may differ.

Check here for a detailed post on how to get reimbursement from airlines for a lost luggage.

Feautured image from google.