So, you just lost your luggage and everything from your toothbrush to your cell phone charger cord were in there? Now that you have calmed down and got your wits about yourself, let’s go to that counter. The first thing you want to do is have your boarding pass out and your flight number available. You will need to know the color and style (hard side, soft side, roll aboard, etc.) of your luggage. Next, if you have read of my other blogs, you will have a hard copy of your itinerary or at least a PDF saved on your phone, believe me you don’t want to be searching for a signal or WIFI trying to find travel information when you are in this situation. If your bag, in deed, did not make the trip you will need the address to where you are staying and a contact telephone number. Typically, the carrier will alert you as soon as the bags arrive if they have a contact number and will deliver them to you.
We have covered what to do to get your bag back, now let’s talk about what to do until the bag arrives.
Ask the baggage counter what their policy is regarding reimbursement for missing luggage, regarding how much time they allot to deliver the missing bags.If you booked through a travel agency or web site, you may want to check their terms for lost baggage as well.
The carrier will only reimburse you for verified charges, so be sure to keep receipts for clothing and travel expenses.I would presume that a cell phone charger would fall into this group, but again, I have never had to do this (because I put my charger in my carry on).
Buy multi-functional clothes, things you can wear multiple days in case your bag takes its own vacation from you and doesn’t show for multiple days (which I have had happen).
Your hotel should have basic toiletries (comb, tooth brush, shave kit, hair dryer) at the front desk and there is a good chance that a decent hotel will have a cell phone charger and/or converter you can borrow.
Above all else in a situation like this, the best thing you can do is remain calm and be polite. A smile can go a long way when you are dealing with a stressful situation and yelling at the people who are tasked with assisting you isn’t going to curry you any favor. The easier you make their work, the more they may be willing to go the extra mile for you. They may have access to meal vouchers, bonus miles or other benefits they otherwise may not give you.
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