Destinations

The Benefits of Always Photographing Your Luggage Before Checking It

luggage airport plane

Even though you may have thought of everything, from calling your bank to purchasing travelers insurance, taking a snapshot of your suitcase — including its contents — may be just as crucial while packing for a vacation.

When your checked luggage doesn’t arrive at your destination or arrives damaged, having photographic evidence of your stuff may help you be reimbursed. This is especially true as airlines work to recover from a summer of delays, cancellations, and yes, lost bags.

According to the Department of Transportation’s website, “Airlines are required to pay passengers if their bags are damaged, delayed, or misplaced. Subject to the maximum liability limits, airlines are required to reimburse passengers for reasonable, provable, and actual incidental charges that they may incur while their luggage are delayed.”

Furthermore, such “responsibility limits” are $1,780 for international delays and $3,800 for domestic delays.

“The maximum amount an airline must compensate a passenger for a lost, damaged, or delayed bag is as follows:” added the DOT. “Although they are not compelled to, airlines are allowed to pay more than the cap.”

This cash can be used to pay for essentials like fresh clothing, toiletries, or other necessities when traveling. When your bag is delayed and you haven’t received compensation from the airline, if you do decide to make purchases, keep the receipts so you can use them to support your claim later.

Check with your airline as the policies differ from carrier to carrier if your luggage appears to be (unfortunately) permanently misplaced. The DOT did point out that most airlines report a suitcase missing five to 14 days after takeoff. Importantly, the DOT added that “airlines may need receipts or other verification for valued things that were in the lost bags” in order to process lost luggage claims.

So feel free to take a quick photo with your luggage, just in case.

Passenger advocacy organization AirHelp also recommended not only photographing your luggage and packed items, including valuables, but also photographing your bag tag before it is placed on the carousel at check-in. This should assist airline personnel in determining whether your bags were on the wrong plane, left at the departure airport, or somewhere in between.

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