You’ve heard travel horror stories about it. Someone checks their luggage before an important trip, expecting their bags to arrive at their destination. Only something goes wrong somewhere in between, and the airline loses their luggage.
While it’s rare — according to The Points Guy, airlines lose seven out of every 1,000 bags, a lost rate of 0.07% — it can still happen to you.
Lost luggage during the holidays can be stressful, but this article is here to help. The tips below will help you handle lost luggage without losing your cool during the festivities.
Report it Immediately
Most airlines have lost luggage policies, so it’s important you alert them to the problem. File a missing luggage report to ensure they know they’ve lost your bags. This paperwork will jumpstart the search for your items, and, in the worst-case scenario, it will help you receive compensation if they can’t relocate your stuff.
Check Your Travel Insurance
If you had the forethought to purchase travel insurance before taking off, check your coverage for lost or delayed luggage. You may have to provide the report you filed with the airline to file a claim with your insurer. Provided you have all the documentation in order, your travel insurance may reimburse you for items you need to replace.
If you are going home for the holidays, you may not have purchased insurance. Don’t panic — you still have an option. You can check out an online lender like Fora to see if a line of credit can help.
You may consider applying to borrow cash from Fora Credit if you need to replace important items urgently, like prescription medication, basic toiletries, and appropriate clothing for your destination. Depending on the timing of your insurance claim, you may also consider using a line of credit while you wait for your payout.
If you decide to use a line of credit, limit your spending to urgent items you need.
- Call your doctor about getting a filler prescription for exactly the number of pills you need while you’re away.
- You don’t need a full dopp kit or makeup bag, just the necessities.
- When it comes to clothing, don’t go overboard and replace an entire wardrobe. Instead, considering get a few basic outfits to get you through the holidays.
Borrow Items from Family
Going home to see family over the holidays has its perks. If you wear a similar size as your parents, siblings, or cousins, you may be able to borrow their clothing.
Explain the situation and ask nicely — your loved ones will more than likely want to help you. You may even get lucky and have a family member offer to help you purchase a few items to bridge the gap until your insurance kicks in or you can go home.
Remember that you will be back home sooner than you think, where your full medicine cabinet and closet await you. Keep this in mind if you have to deal with lost luggage, and try to enjoy the holidays despite your setback.