When you’re traveling, you’d be lost if you misplaced your travel documents, electronics, and other valuables. Be sure to put all of your must-haves in your carry-on bag when you travel. These items may include your passport, itinerary, cell phone, jewelry, and medication.
Baggage Tags or Labels
Label your bag with your name, phone number, and address. Make sure all of this information is up-to-date and that any old, worn tags are removed. This information will come in handy if the airline misplaces your baggage, or if another passenger takes your bag by mistake. These identifiers will be crucial in locating your bags if they are misplaced in transit as well. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy of your contact information and itinerary in plain-sight in your bag in case your luggage tag is lost or damaged.
Keep Your Bag Check-in Receipts
These identifiers will be crucial in locating your bags if they are misplaced. In case of delayed baggage or misplaced baggage during the transit, these receipts will help the airport authorities to trace and hand over the bags to you. It will also help them identify you as the genuine owner of the baggage.
Invest in Quality Luggage
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on your luggage, but it is a good idea to opt for luggage that is durable and solid, even though you may have to spend a little more. The likelihood that your bag is tossed around, at the airport, is relatively high. Make sure that your zippers close completely and that they are in good condition. The last thing you want is to arrive at your destination and see that some of your belongings are missing because they fell out of your bag.
Pack Wisely
Try not to overload your luggage. This may cause the zippers to give out and burst open during transit. Additionally, if you have any liquid items (within the legal liquid capacity of course), be sure to pack them in a plastic bag—or two—to keep your other items safe and dry in case they spill. To add to this, if you have any articles of clothing that are heavily dyed, you may want to bag those as well in case of cross-dying due to moisture in your bag.
Fragile Items
Don’t hesitate to ask the airline to mark your bag as ‘fragile’ or ‘Handle with Care’, if you have any fragile goods within your luggage (i.e.: paintings, delicate souvenirs, glass, etc).
Lock Your Bag
Depending on where you’re traveling to and from, you may want to consider locking your bag. This will help prevent theft. Some airlines require that you have a specific lock so that they can easily open it in-case of need for search. Check to make sure before your trip to the airport.
Happy Traveling!
