Empty baggage carousel in a bright airport hall with blurred background

Lost luggage: what to do if your suitcase is lost

Have you ever experienced that nerve-wracking feeling of standing at the baggage carousel, waiting for your luggage that never turns up? Lost luggage can happen to any traveller, and it’s important to know how to handle such a situation. In this article, we’ll explain what you should do if your luggage goes missing and what your rights are.

Lost luggage when travelling by air: the most important information at a glance

Before you set off, clearly label your luggage with your personal details, such as your name and address.
If your luggage goes missing, you have certain rights against the airline.
Under the Montreal Convention, the airline may be held liable if your luggage is delayed, damaged or lost.
If your luggage is delayed, you can claim a refund for necessary and reasonable expenses, such as replacement clothing and toiletries.
If your luggage is deemed permanently lost after 21 days, you are entitled to compensation.
It is important that you report the loss or damage to your suitcases to the airline within seven days at the latest.
This is usually reported via a "Property Irregularity Report" (PIR), which you can fill in at the baggage reclaim area.

What are my rights if my luggage is lost?

Once you’ve got over the shock and frustration of your lost luggage, you should keep a cool head. As a passenger, you have rights in the event of lost luggage, which you should definitely assert.

Most international, regional and national airlines can be held liable under the Montreal Convention if your luggage is delayed, damaged or lost. Under the Montreal Convention, passengers are generally entitled to compensation of up to around 1,300 euros. You can then use this to replace any lost personal belongings, such as clothes and toiletries, or essential items like charging cables. It is therefore essential that you keep all receipts as proof of these expenses.

If your luggage has not been found after 21 days, it is considered permanently lost under the Montreal Convention. In this case, you are entitled to compensation, which is calculated based on the weight of the luggage and the estimated value of its contents.

It’s important that you report the loss or damage to your luggage to the airline as soon as possible, and no later than seven days afterwards. This is usually done via a "Property Irregularity Report" (PIR), which you can fill in at the baggage reclaim area.

Lost luggage on a cruise

Your luggage can also go missing on a cruise; the procedure may vary depending on the cruise line and the specific circumstances, but in general you can expect the following steps:

Reporting the loss: If you realise your luggage is missing, you should report this immediately to customer services or the relevant department on board the ship. There are usually dedicated counters or service points for this purpose.
Filling in a lost luggage form: You’ll usually be given a form on which you can provide all the relevant information about your missing luggage, such as a description of the suitcase, its contents, the last known location and, if applicable, an estimate of its value.
Search on board: The ship’s crew will launch a search for the missing luggage. As there are fewer places on a ship where luggage could get misplaced (compared to an airport), the likelihood of your luggage being found is often higher.
Compensation: If your luggage is not found, how the shipping company handles compensation payments depends on the company and its terms and conditions. Some shipping companies offer a flat-rate compensation payment, others refer passengers to luggage insurance. It is therefore important that you find out about the terms and options for additional insurance before you travel.

Lost luggage on a train journey

When travelling by train, you are often responsible for your own luggage, which makes it all the more difficult to claim compensation if it goes missing. You should therefore always be particularly vigilant and keep an eye on your luggage. Do report the loss of your luggage, however; the railway staff will help you in your search. Should your suitcase do go missing, travel luggage insurance can be particularly useful.

How to minimise the risk of losing your luggage

We’ve all experienced those nerve-wracking minutes spent at the baggage carousel, waiting for our luggage after a long flight. To prevent those minutes from turning into hours or even days, there are a few simple tricks you can use. Start by personalising your luggage: a colourful luggage tag or an eye-catching ribbon can work wonders to ensure your suitcase isn’t accidentally taken by someone else. Pack all important documents and valuables in your hand luggage so that, even if your suitcase goes missing, you’ll still have the essentials with you. And don’t forget to arrive at the airport early enough to check in your luggage on time – rushing is often the cause of lost luggage. You could also consider taking out luggage insurance or even using modern technologies such as luggage trackers. By taking these simple precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of your luggage going missing and set off on your journey with peace of mind.

Our tips for avoiding lost luggage at a glance:

Label your luggage clearly: Use eye-catching tags, stickers or ribbons, and make sure your name, address and telephone number are written both inside and outside the bag.

Keep valuables in your hand luggage: Items such as jewellery, electronic devices and important documents should always be kept in your hand luggage. We recommend packing a spare change of clothes in case your luggage goes missing – that way, you’ll be prepared for the worst-case scenario for the time being.

Check in your luggage in good time: Allow plenty of time for check-in to prevent your luggage from going missing due to rushing or last-minute check-ins.

Consider whether you need luggage insurance: If you’re carrying valuable items or simply want extra protection, luggage insurance might be worth considering.

Use technology to track your luggage: GPS trackers and other technologies can help you keep track of your luggage. If your suitcase does get lost, in the best-case scenario you’ll be able to track its location.

Avoid stopovers: Sometimes it’s unavoidable to fly a route with a stopover – particularly as these are often cheaper than direct flights. If you have the option, we recommend avoiding routes with stopovers, as this will minimise the risk of your luggage getting lost whilst being transferred between different airports.

Finally, it’s important to emphasise that, despite all the worries and potential problems that can be associated with luggage, travelling is a wonderful experience that allows us to discover new places, cultures and people. It broadens our horizons, takes us out of our comfort zone and allows us to create memories that last a lifetime.

A lost suitcase is certainly a nuisance, but it shouldn’t dampen your spirit of adventure. With a little preparation, the right knowledge and a bit of care, you can minimise the risk of losing your luggage and focus on what really matters - the joy of travelling.