Club Albufeira and Algarve News

The recent horrors of lost luggage at Heath Row`s Terminal 5 makes one think about how to deal with a lost luggage crisis.
Here are a few tips to help avoid the trauma of lost luggage before you travel.

Make a list of everything you have packed then if your bags are lost you can
use it as an inventory. Take a photo of your bags too - having a picture of your luggage is easier than describing what your case looks like at the claims desk.

Put your name, address and contact details on a large piece of paper inside your luggage in case the label on the outside falls off.

Pack items like jewellery and cameras in your hand luggage. Some airline’s consider these ‘unacceptable baggage items’ so you won’t be able to claim compensation.

If your luggage contains recently purchased items try to keep receipts at home.

Take out travel insurance before your trip to ensure your luggage is covered.

Brightly coloured or distinctive luggage is easily identifiable. This will help to prevent other passengers from mistaking your bags as theirs and it also deters thieves.

Before you travel investigate your airlines and airports ‘lost luggage’ policies.
If travelling with someone else, pack some of your items in the other person’s luggage and vice versa. That way, if one bag is lost you have at least some of your personal items with you.
Pack a day’s worth of clothes in your hand luggage as back-up precaution.