FRIDAY, JUNE 29: If you are planning on travelling anytime soon, here a just a few things to consider before you even begin to pack.
First, make sure you have good copies of your passport in case yours gets lost or stolen. Copy all of the relevant sections, cover, inside front pages and the back pages that contain your personal information.
Second, carefully consider what goes in your carry-on and what goes in checked baggage. It goes without saying that you should never pack anything in your checked luggage that you can’t survive without, is expensive or that is irreplaceable — medications, ID, credit cards, expensive jewellery, electronic items etc.
Put these things in your carry on and don’t forget to also put your chargers and power supply cables in your carry on as well. Your laptop and cellphone will be of no use to you if your lost luggage includes the power cords.
Be mindful of the fact that airlines limit their liability on lost luggage so don’t pack anything that they will not reimburse you for if your bags are lost. Check with your airline for a list of items that they will not be liable for.
While there is little we can do to avoid having our luggage lost there are a few things we can do to help get it back if it is.
Make sure that each of your bags is tagged properly. A clear and secure luggage tag should be on each bag with current information and remove all old luggage labels from previous trips. Keep information in your luggage as well that has all of your current contact information in case your luggage tag comes off.
When you are checking bags make sure that the baggage claims are correct, with the right flight number and destination, get your copies of the tags and make sure they match.
Make your luggage stand out — there are thousands of black bags with wheels in the lost luggage section and finding yours amongst them will be no easy task if it has no distinctive identifiers. Tie a bright ribbon or yarn on the handle. You could also spray a distinctive coloured stripe on the sides or get a colourful sticker, either way you want to ensure that your bag stands out.
One last thing to remember, if you check in late you run the risk of your luggage not making the flight.
For more consumer savvy information visit our website, www.ca.gov.bm.
Honey Adams is the education officer for Consumer Affairs.