[After a brief hiatus, I’m back! My blog faced a cloning scam in late June, which took some time to resolve.]

2023 has been quite the challenge for my luggage. After over 20 years of traveling, I finally experienced lost luggage. I knew it might happen eventually. It prompted me to share some advice on dealing with lost checked bags so you can learn from my experiences. The first incident occurred in March when my luggage was left overnight in Dallas on my way back from Asia. Luckily, it arrived the next morning, a relief in the grand scheme of things.

Fast forward to July—my bag got stuck during a massive breakdown of the luggage sorting system at London Heathrow. I had just arrived in Lisbon for a brief two-night stay before heading to the Azores for a week of hiking. Naturally, all my hiking gear was packed in that checked bag—boots, hat, camelback, and more.

Before I share more about my luggage drama, let’s cover some crucial tips for when you find yourself in a similar predicament:

Steps to Take if Your Checked Luggage is Lost or Delayed

  • Utilize tracking devices. I recommend putting an AirTag in every checked bag, and I even keep one in my carry-on with my camera gear. You can purchase asingle AirTag or afour-pack for a discount!(affiliate link)
  • Always retain your baggage tag receipt. It’s even better to snap a photo of it at check-in.
  • Report your lost luggage at the airport. Filing a report after leaving complicates matters significantly. You’ll receive a tracking reference number that you must keep.
  • Save all receipts for any toiletries or clothing you have to buy. Avoid splurging since there’s usually a limit on claims.
  • Contact the airline if there are no updates on your bag’s status online. I did this to clarify I wouldn’t be able to pick up my bag in Lisbon for a week, ensuring they didn’t think it was abandoned.
  • Obtain written confirmation that you retrieved your bag. This is often necessary for reimbursement claims, especially for credit cards that cover daily expenses. (For example, Chase offers $100/day per person up to a maximum of $500.)

Now, onto my luggage saga…

Upon arrival, an airline rep handed out papers with QR codes linking to the missing baggage form, which I completed immediately. I indicated I would pick it up at the Lisbon airport, as having it sent to the Azores was too complicated. Plus, British Airways doesn’t fly there. Luckily, I had some spare clothing in my carry-on. I typically try to pack an extra outfit, but with airlines becoming strict on carry-on weights, I often only have my camera gear. I bought some toiletries, a few clothing items, and borrowed hiking boots from a friend. While airlines are supposed to reimburse for essentials, I didn’t overspend, unsure how complicated the reimbursement process would be.

Fortunately, I had anAirTag in my bag, making it easy to track. British Airways’ outdated system took days to update, claiming it was trying to locate my bag when it was already in Lisbon according to my AirTag. It arrived in Lisbon five hours after I left for the Azores!

When I returned to Lisbon after my Azores adventure, I picked up my luggage at the airport, which involved another tricky interaction with a grumpy third-party service staff member. I ensured I received proof of bag retrieval for my reimbursement claim. I then went online to file for reimbursement for the items I had purchased. The process was tedious, as each item must be listed separately.

After a month with no response, I contacted the airline and opted to file a claim with my credit card since it seemed British Airways wouldn’t reimburse me. I had booked the flight using my Chase Sapphire Reserve card, so I initiated a claim through their system, which is managed by a third party (eclaimsline.com). The website was tricky and often wouldn’t load. After trying three different web browsers over several days, I finally managed to fill out another laborious form that required itemizing and converting the currency to USD. The dropdown menu included every airline globally except British Airways, but I eventually found an “other airline” option hidden in the list. I had to include the claim number from British Airways, upload proof of my luggage delay, receipts for my purchases, my credit card statement showing the ticket purchase, proof of bag retrieval, and more. Both forms requested direct deposit details for reimbursement. This benefit from Chase covers up to $100/day per person with a maximum of $500, with specific limits on electronics chargers (one per device).

Two days after I submitted my credit card claim, British Airways responded with an apology and confirmed they would deposit a reimbursement soon, which they did in two days for $73. Shortly thereafter, I heard back from my credit card claim, indicating they would also reimburse me, though no direct deposit has occurred yet. I might end up being reimbursed twice, which would offset the time spent filling out forms and gathering documents! After readingthis account from The Points Guy, I wasn’t optimistic about my Chase claim but was pleasantly surprised by the quick response. I had a positive experience with them covering a canceled trip in 2019, which I detailed inthis blog post.

(I also had travel insurance. If neither the airline nor my credit card paid, I would have turned to them. I opt for my high annual fee credit card for such claims first.)

Does travel insurance cover lost checked baggage?

It varies by policy and provider. I suggest Safety Wing Nomad Insurance. Their plans cover lost luggage and reimburse up to $500 per item without applying the plan’s $250 deductible.

Safety Wing’s travel medical insurance covers individuals (including children) worldwide, even outside their home countries. Additional benefits include coverage for travel delays, emergency responses, natural disasters, and personal liability. I consistently choose Safety Wing for my travel insurance, as it simplifies my travels, knowing I’m covered anywhere and anytime. For further details on travel insurance, check out

this article.

Dealing with Broken Suitcases & Warranty Issues

My new suitcase lost a wheel after a SAS Airlines flight in Europe.

While I had been fortunate to avoid lost luggage until this year, I’ve faced broken suitcases for years. I recall an incident when I, in my early 20s, thought sliding my suitcase down a staircase would be a clever shortcut, resulting in a broken zipper. With little money, I resorted to duct tape for two months.

Then, I faced the issue of broken wheels, often due to uneven sidewalks. In 2019, I went through three suitcases in six months. Whenever one broke during a long trip, I’d buy a replacement, but the new suitcase often didn’t measure up to the previous one, making me realize I’d be better off struggling with the damaged one.

Suitcase wheels featuring dual wheels are more robust and durable than single-wheel designs. (These are the replacement parts Samsonite sent me to fix a wheel damaged by the airline.)

TIP: Opt for a spinner suitcase with dual wheels for enhanced durability.

Suitcase warranties have generally been ineffective for me, as repairs are often inconvenient during extended trips. Companies commonly require you to visit a distant repair center or deal with protracted paperwork.

When I traveled from Athens to Copenhagen in June on SAS Airlines (a decent airline aside from luggage issues), my suitcase arrived without its back left wheel. I had just bought it in April at the Samsonite outlet in Texas for $180.

I filed a claim with the airline, but the two-step process was tedious and led to no resolution. Since I could still manage the suitcase with some effort, I adapted and ensured my public transport routes included elevators.

After emailing Samsonite twice without a reply, I called a repair center in San Antonio to inquire about extra wheels. The friendly representative asked me to email photos, as the numbers on the suitcase tags were unhelpful. He had the wheels in stock and kindly shipped them to a friend who was visiting me in Lisbon. Without asking for proof of purchase, he sent the wheels for free! Replacing the wheel was a breeze with just a screwdriver. The lesson here: Contact a repair center directly for parts instead of relying on their website.

Are High-End Suitcases Such as Away Worth It?

It depends on your location, travel frequency, and trip duration. For instance, Away’s website claims they provide a replacement kit under their lifetime warranty, but this offer likely only applies to the US or UK, the only regions they ship to. For average travelers making short trips from these locations, it might be worth it. I have friends who swear by Away bags. If I received a free bag from Away, I’d consider it, but I can’t justify the expense since I travel abroad for extended periods. Additionally, I have a Target brand carry-on suitcase that I purchased for $100 last-minute, and it’s held up well for two years. I’ve never wanted to invest in expensive luggage due to the difficulties of repairs and acquiring spare parts while traveling for months.

[AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps maintain this blog. I only recommend products and companies I genuinely appreciate and use. To support the blog, please visit the resources page.]