Simple luggage mistake likely to cause suitcase to be lost in transit 'for months'

A silly mistake increases the risk of luggage being lost or sent to another destination once you check it in at the airport.

The excitement of reaching your holiday spot can quickly turn sour if you find yourself at the baggage reclaim with no sign of your luggage.

Reddit has become a hub for sharing tales of woe about lost or misdirected bags, with many travellers recounting their own luggage nightmares.

One user on the platform recounted their luggage troubles, saying it's happened to them "twice". They shared: "Once it was delayed two days (sent to Venice instead of London), and once four weeks (sent to Lisbon, then Brazil, instead of London)."

Another traveller chimed in with their story, revealing they've had luggage go missing three times: "One never recovered, two were lost for months."

As a result of these experiences, one individual now goes to great lengths to avoid checking in any bags. A different Reddit user recalled an acquaintance who eventually got their misplaced bag back after a fortnight.

While most instances of "lost" luggage are actually cases of delay, there's a simple trick that could help prevent your belongings from going astray.

Sharing a personal tip, a Reddit contributor said: "My luggage used to get lost every single time I flew! But then I realised it's because I left the old labels/tags/barcode stickers on my bag."

The Reddit commentator added: "Now I take the stickers off once I get home and I haven't lost a bag since."

Before jetting off, it's wise to inspect your suitcase for any lingering tags from previous journeys, ensuring your bag isn't mistaken for an older flight.

Travellers have been sharing tips online for dealing with lost luggage, with one popular suggestion being to use an Air Tag to keep track of bags.

"The one time I lost a bag, it stayed in Stockholm as I went to Rome," shared a Reddit user. "I knew exactly when it got to Rome so I contacted the lost bag desk there and told them to hold it. Then I went to the airport and got it."

To prevent the inconvenience of delayed baggage, it's advised to pack essentials in your hand luggage. "I follow the age-old advice of keeping the really key stuff camera gear, laptop, medications, eyeglasses, etc in my carry-on," another person contributed. "Plus a couple necessities like a toothbrush."

And for those who might find themselves in this predicament, one individual offered some words of comfort: "If your bag is delayed, remember that the baggage desk people at your destination did not misplace your bag, but they are the ones that will try and find it."

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