Delayed or Lost Luggage Advice

It's one of the most frustrating starts to a holiday. You arrive but your luggage doesn't. Even with computerised tracking systems, luggage delays are still fairly common, even if their total loss has become rarer.

Airlines are not actually obligated to compensate you for the inconveniences of delayed luggage although some do make small payments if your luggage is delayed more than 24 hours.

Good holiday insurance enables you to purchase essential personal items in the short term and covers you for permanently lost luggage. Holiday Insurance Web pays out £1500 for lost luggage with a single item limit of £250.

Here are some tips to help reduce the misery of lost or delayed luggage:

Tips:

• Label each piece of luggage. The airline will tag your bag, but if that comes off in the rough and tumble of baggage handling, ensure that it is otherwise labelled. Put a name and address label on the outside and inside of the suitcase lid, or attached to the zip or handle.
• Carry a copy of your insurance with you in your hand luggage. Most policies will cover the emergency purchase of essential personal possessions if your bags go missing. It will also mean that you can phone the helpline of your travel insurance broker to get advice and recommendations.
• Keep all receipts for emergency purchases, as these will come in useful later. Total loss of luggage does not usually come into effect until six weeks after the flight, so keep them safe until you can submit the claim.
• If you are on package tour, take advantage of the services provided by the representative of the holiday company. It is their job to look after you while you are in their company and they should make phone calls on your behalf to help you track down luggage, and to receive your bags when they do finally make it to your destination.
• Make sure that you speak to a representative or employee of an airline, rather than an agent or temporary desk clerk, in order to obtain the correct information about compensation available.
• Pack strategically before you go, perhaps sharing out items and personal effects that are hard to replace abroad in different pieces of your luggage, to reduce the chances of being stuck without essentials.

If it transpires that your luggage is lost permanently, airline companies are liable to pay out at a rate per kilo. Usually the most you can expect back is under £300, so good travel insurance is necessary to help you recoup the losses.

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