How To Protect Your Luggage When You Travel

budget adventure travel, family adventure vacation

OK, I will admit that a list of tips on how to protect your luggage from being lost or stolen is not the most exciting topic to discuss on a blog devoted to budget adventure travel. But if even one of these ideas saves your adventure vacation, it will be worth it.

The fact is that only a very, very small percent of travelers' bags are lost by airlines or other common carriers. They try very hard to get you and your bags to the right place on time, every time.

But that said, mistakes happen. And glowing percentages are small comfort to you if you have no clean underwear for the first three days of your trip. So here are some ideas that may help:

1. Lock every bag and add some sort of conspicuous identification. This can include brightly colored tags, stickers or colored strap.
   
2. Remove all old tags that directed attendants to send your luggage to previously-visited destinations. Why create confusion for people who are very busy sorting a lot of bags? Keep only the tag indicating the city you want your bags to go to now.
   
3. Strap any bag you have overstuffed to prevent your flashy boxers from spilling all over the airport. Unless you're just into that sort of thing.
   
4. Put any liquids or medicines in your carry on. If you have a prescription you must take each day, keep it close to you at all times.
   
5. Make a list of all you belongings for each bag and keep this list in your carry on. This way you will be able to provide the airline with a list of your missing belongings.
   
6. Make it easier for your bags to be returned to you by putting your itinerary in each bag. On each list, include each stop, along with the name, address and phone number for each hotel.
   
7. Don't throw away your claim check. Some airports require you to present them in order to take baggage out of the airport. Moreover, if you later discover something missing from inside your bag, you will need this tag to file a claim.
   
8. Lastly, inventory your bags immediately. If you report lost belongings more than 24 hours after your flight, your claim may be denied.
   

COPYRIGHT(C)2006, Charles Brown. All rights reserved.

budget adventure travel, family adventure vacation