Tips to prevent losing your luggage

They say you can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle losing their luggage.

But after a long and sleep-deprived flight, even those of us with calm temperaments can react badly if it's our luggage in question.

Heading off on a holiday, the last thing we need is finding ourselves waiting in a customer service queue and filling out lost baggage forms.

Luggage loss, damage and theft represent the biggest single category of travel insurance claims, accounting for around 40 per cent of total claims.

Up to 90,000 bags are mishandled each day worldwide, according to Australian company Travel Insurance Direct, of which about two per cent are never recovered.

And if you can't find your luggage, airlines encourage you to report to Baggage Services before leaving the airport to make sure they start tracking your precious cargo immediately.

Most airlines use WorldTracer, a computerised tracing system which allows misrouted luggage to be found quickly amongst the millions of other suitcases that are checked in and out between flight destinations.

"Even though the vast majority of misplaced bags are found and returned to their owners within 48 hours, that's no consolation if you're caught in the European winter without your coat and gloves," says TID general manager Ian Jackson.

Some airlines are prepared to offer some assistance if you're caught without your appropriate clothes.

For instance, a spokeswoman for Qantas says the airline may provide emergency expenses to customers who are away from home so they can buy essential supplies.

In order to keep cool, calm and collected throughout your entire trip Jackson offers 10 simple precautions travellers can take to make sure their luggage arrives with them.

1. Tags - Ensure all items have clear, sturdy luggage tags that won't tear off. Record your phone numbers for both home and destination. Some travellers prefer to list their office address to avoid suggesting their home is vacant.

2. Itinerary - Place your contact details and itinerary inside your luggage, so you can still be located if external tags are lost and your luggage is opened for inspection.

3. Lock up - Locks and straps provide a deterrent to theft, but remember some destinations like the US only allow TSA-approved locks that can be opened by customs inspectors.

4. Stand out - A brightly coloured bag, luggage tag or strap reduces the risk of your luggage being mistakenly claimed by another passenger on arrival.

5. Timing - Arrive at the airport with plenty of time for check-in. A last-minute check-in or tight connection increases the chance of your bags missing the flight.

6. At check-in - Ensure all old destination stickers have been removed from your luggage and that staff affix the correct destination stickers at check-in. Be sure to keep your portion of the luggage sticker provided at check-in (usually affixed to your boarding pass).

7. Connections - Don't book tight connections. Ask at check-in whether your luggage is checked through to your final destination or whether you'll need to collect your luggage and re-check while in transit at another airport (especially if you booked flight sectors separately).

8. Carry on - For short journeys, consider travelling with carry-on luggage only. This is especially worthwhile with airlines that charge for checked luggage. Even if you check in your main bags, place valuables and a few essentials items of clothing in your hand luggage, just in case.

9. Pick-up - Ignore other distractions at the airport and go straight to the luggage carousel once you've arrived and cleared customs, keeping a close eye on bags as they emerge. Keep bags close to you and never leave them unattended.

10. Travel insurance - Always have adequate travel insurance, even if travelling for short periods or domestically. Insurance covers not only loss and theft, but can also provide a clothing allowance if luggage is delayed. Keep receipts for your possessions where possible or consider making a photographic record of luggage contents, in case you need to make a claim.

- AAP