It's hard to imagine this ever happening to you. But you should still be on the safe side - read our article on what to do if you lose your luggage.

 

Don't panic

Making sure you are at the right baggage claim belt and haven't confused your flight should be your first priority. Items with non-standard dimensions are unloaded separately; this could be in a separate room, at a counter close to the reclaim area, or next to the main luggage belt if you're looking for a snowboard, surfboard, or baby stroller.
 

 

Look for the Lost & Found rack

The Lost & Found desk can assist you in the event that your luggage is lost. If you are traveling from overseas by plane, stay in the terminal until the paperwork is finished. You will be required to submit a lost baggage report at Lost & Found.

The act should include:

airline ticket number,

baggage claim number,

passport information.

It will also be necessary to present:

boarding pass,

the tear-off coupon of the baggage tag (this is one of the reasons why you should never lose it),

your passport.

In the report you will also have to describe the lost luggage in writing: color, size, material.

 

Use the World Tracer service

The person working at the Lost & Found counter will start by opening World Tracer and inputting your name and luggage tag number. You will be able to determine with certainty if your luggage left the airport of departure or traveled elsewhere if all of the tags are still on it and it has been scanned at every step (airport services do this for all luggage transfer).
 

 

Memorize the details

In the unlikely event that your suitcase's tags and barcodes have gone off, they will use its description to locate it. Your suitcase is more likely to be recognized if it appears distinctive. However, if it's completely generic and lacks any unique characteristics, it will be sufficient to recall its color, size, substance, and brand name.

 

How to receive compensation

Regardless of who caused the delay at baggage reclaim, the airline is in charge of delivering your belongings. You are entitled to reimbursement from the airline if your luggage was not transported with you.
 

What to do if you can't find your suitcase

You have 21 days to search for your luggage. If at the end of this period it becomes clear that there is no chance, you have the right to claim compensation.

 

If your luggage was declared valuable at check-in, you are obliged to get a full refund.
If your suitcase has been damaged and some items have disappeared without trace, you have the right to claim compensation from the airport.

While the search is underway, you can also claim for payments intended for the purchase of basic necessities: hygiene products, medicines, warm clothes (according to the situation). Typically, on overseas trips, compensation ranges from $50 to $250.