How to Find Lost or Delayed Luggage while Traveling

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Tips to help you find your baggage so you can enjoy the rest of your trip worry-free

Co-authored by Amy Tan and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: November 1, 2023 Fact Checked

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At the Airport

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Tracking Online

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Identifying Your Luggage

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Video

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

When you’re on a trip, the last thing you want to worry about is your baggage. Fortunately, if you lost or misplaced your luggage, there’s no need to fret—you can easily check in with your airline to find your luggage or file a claim. There are also steps you can take to identify your luggage easily and track it with your own GPS on a smartphone. If you’re ready to find your lost luggage, keep reading.

Things You Should Know

If you’re at the airport, head to your airline’s counter to report your luggage missing.
Or, go online to your airline’s website and enter in your name and your luggage reference number or bag tag number.
Find your luggage easily by using a brightly-colored suitcase or suitcase cover.
Track your luggage yourself by using an electronic GPS locator, like AirTags or Tile.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

At the Airport

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1
Go to the counter of your airline to report your missing bag. As soon as you notice your luggage is gone, visit a customer service representative for your airline to get assistance. You can do this both at the ticketing window and when you are inside the gate.^{[1]
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- If it’s after-hours, the airline counter may be closed. In that case, go online to your airline’s website and report your missing bag that way.
2
Mention what your baggage looks like and where you last saw it. Give a detailed description of your luggage, including any special identifying features like luggage tags or bright colored outer shell. Be sure to tell the airline representative the last time you saw your bag.^{[2]
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- Say something like, “My bright blue suitcase was not in baggage claim when I got off my flight. The last time I saw it was when I checked my bag.”
- Or, “I think my bag may have been stolen. It is a small black suitcase on wheels with a purple luggage tag. I thought it was in the overhead bins on my plane, but it wasn’t there when I got off the plane.”
- If you’re looking for a checked bag, give the representative your reference number or record locator number as well. You can find this on your baggage claim ticket that you got when you checked your bag.
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If you and the airline representative can’t track your luggage from within the airport, they can help you file a claim. Complete the form with your name, File Reference Number, contact information, flight information, and a description of your luggage.^{[3]
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Wait for a phone call reporting your luggage has been located. When you submit a claim, you submit a “lost and found” request for your luggage. The airline will contact you when your luggage is found.^{[4]
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- Perhaps your luggage never made it on your connecting flight, or maybe someone grabbed the wrong bag by mistake.
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File for a bag fee rebate if your luggage is missing for 12 or more hours. Most airlines offer bag free rebates if they are at fault for any delays in retrieving your luggage. Your rebate will be in the form of an electronic travel voucher, and they usually cover either $25 or $50 (£17.67 or 35.35).^{[5]
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- You can ask an airline attendant to file the rebate for you when you are at the airport, or you can file this from the comfort of your home by visiting your airline’s website.
- Your rebate will be emailed to you.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Tracking Online

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1
Visit your airline’s website and go to the “Tracked Baggage” page. Sign into your account on your airline’s website, and go to the “Baggage” section of the website. Then, click on “Track Checked Baggage.”^{[6]
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- To submit a claim to Delta, visit Delta.com.
- To find your bags via American Airlines, visit AmericanAirlines.com
- To submit a claim to Southwest, visit Southwest.com
- To submit a claim to AirCanada, visit AirCanada.com
The tracked baggage page will prompt you to provide details from your flight to identify your bag.^{[7]
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Type in your bag tag number or file reference number. You can either type in the number on your bag tag, which you placed on your bag when you checked it, or your file reference number. The file reference number is an 8 or 10-digit code located on your baggage information. After you type in the number, press “Go” or “Enter.”^{[8]
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- Check the baggage claim ticket to you by the airline attendant that checked your baggage for your file reference number.
- If you don’t have your bag tag number or reference number, call your airline instead. You can give them a description of your luggage so they can look out for it.
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Review the location of your bag to find it. After you type in your information, you will redirect to a page that provides the location of your bag. It will tell you your bag is in baggage claim or another location, like the terminal or in another airport.
- If your luggage is in the airport that you’re in, you can collect your baggage. If it’s in a different airport, contact your airline to see how it can be delivered to you.
- You will also see if your luggage is delayed or potentially lost. If so, contact your airline.
- Most airlines will declare that luggage has been lost after 5 to 14 days.^{[9]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Identifying Your Luggage

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Use a unique or brightly colored suitcase.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers

Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.} An easy way to keep track of your luggage is to use an interesting, unique suitcase you can easily spot in a crowd. Go with a bright color like pink or aqua, or a bold pattern like floral, paisley, or polka dot.
- While suitcases that stand out are helpful for you to locate, be aware that they also may stand out to others.
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Attach an individualized luggage tag.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers

Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.} To easily track your suitcases as they go around the baggage claim, use a distinctive luggage tag in a neat shape or bright color. Put this on before you check your bags, and make sure your name and contact number are written on the tag.
- For example, use tags shaped like cartoons or with florescent colors.
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Use a GPS or Bluetooth tracking device to help you find your bags. There are many different kinds of luggage tracking devices, and some locate your luggage by connecting to a smartphone. You can search online to review different models and make your selection based on preference and budget.^{[12]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing

Go to source}
- Some luggage tracking options include LugLoc, AirTags, Tile, and PocketFinder.
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Follow the instructions outlined on your device if you’re using a GPS. Every make and model of luggage tracking devices will have slightly different instructions to follow.^{[13]
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- If you are using a tracker with a smartphone, download the app and connect to your device.
- For other forms of tracking devices, register your serial number as explained in your directions.
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Locate your suitcase with your luggage tracking device if you use one. You will receive a notification when your bag has been found, either as a push alert on the app, text message, email, or phone call. The notification lists the location of your bag, so you can go and retrieve your luggage!^{[14]
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Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing

Go to source}
- If using a smartphone, engage the tracker with the app, and then the device will find your luggage.
- If you do not need an app, type in your product serial number into the designated website to search for your device.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I make my bag more recognizable?

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.

Amy Tan

Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers

Expert Answer

You can try tying something to it, such as a luggage belt, or put a lot of stickers on your bags to mark them.

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What kind of luggage should I get?

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers
Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.

Amy Tan

Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers

Expert Answer

Try to get something that's brightly colored so it's easier to spot when you're picking it up.

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Tips

Use a ribbon, string, or piece of tape on your suitcase to easily spot your luggage. Other ideas include zip ties, keychains, stickers, or carabiners.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Amy Tan
Travel Planner & Founder, Planet Hoppers

Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.}

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If you can, only bring carry-on bags with you. That way, you’ll have your luggage with you at all times.

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