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Learn how to dodge notorious luggage-losing culprits, trace delayed baggage and navigate your way around a successful claim with these expert tips.
- Millions of bags are mishandled or lost each year
- UK airlines allow 21 days to track your bag before deciding it’s lost
- Switching airlines could mean your luggage is more likely to be lost
lost baggage tracking
Tracking lost baggage
There are a few theories about what happens to lost airline luggage. One of the more popular suggestions is that the rings of Saturn are made up of lost luggage – but in reality, the amount of permanently missing luggage is pretty small. Between January 2024 and August 2025 we received over 600 claims for lost, stolen and damaged luggage, and paid out on more than 80% of them. For peace of mind, though, it’s worth making sure you’re covered by travel insurance.
Is my luggage missing?
It is extremely rare for luggage to go permanently missing as security tracking is pretty efficient. In most instances it turns up within 48 hours.
What do I do if my lost luggage doesn’t turn up
1. Go straight to the airline’s desk and they will advise of the procedure to follow for lost baggage tracking
2. If possible, get a copy of the Property Irregularity Report (PIR) that’s used by airline staff to record the details, as it will help
3. You’ll need your original PNR (booking reference) which is usually six digits and the baggage tag number (usually stuck onto the boarding pass) to start the tracking process
4. As well as personal and flight details, you’ll need to give an accurate description of a missing bag (it helps if you have a photo)
5. If your luggage turns up a day or two later, it’s up to the airline to courier it to you – you can track it using the airline’s tracking service
6. If your bag doesn’t turn up, you’ll need to write to the airline, enclosing a copy of the PIR, within seven days of the flight
7. If there’s no sign of it after three weeks, the bag will be declared lost and you can claim for it as such
When can I claim on lost luggage?
UK airlines allow 21 days to track your bag, before deciding it won’t be found. After the 21-day period you can claim compensation.
Airlines are also liable if your luggage gets lost or delayed in transit, though there are no hard and fast rules over the amount of compensation you will receive. The Montreal Convention 1999 makes airlines responsible for the bags they allow you to check in, although their liability is limited to around £1,113 per passenger.
If you have to buy essentials because your baggage is delayed, such as clothing and toiletries, keep your receipts as this is what you’ll be able to claim on.
On a connecting flight and don’t know which airline lost your luggage? Don’t worry: you can claim with either of them. If your luggage is damaged, make sure you report it immediately at the airport.
baggage, personal belongings and money
What cover do I need to protect against theft?
Add extra cover for baggage, personal belongings and money
- Up to £3,000 cover with our Premier policy or £2,000 cover with our Essential policy for lost luggage claims.
This includes your suitcases and their contents, bags, sports equipment, mobility aids and wheelchairs. Please note valuables must not be stored in suitcases. - Up to £500 cover for valuables, like jewellery, watches, sunglasses, cameras or mobile phones, with our Premier policy. The Essential policy gives you £300 cover.
- £500 cover for money, including £300 for cash, as well as cover for travellers cheques, admission tickets or pre-paid passes.
Remember to report any loss or theft to the police within 24 hours.
Lost baggage tracking is technology is improving
The adoption of RFID (radio waves to read and capture information stored on a tag) in the next two years, as well as remote check-ins and real-time notifications, will improve lost luggage tracking.
Remote check-ins have been trialled successfully at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, allowing people to have their bags picked up from their homes in advance of their flight. So, when they get to the airport, their hold luggage is already checked in and boarded.
Real-time notifications, meanwhile, let passengers track their luggage onto the plane and off using a mobile phone app.
In June 2018 the Air Transport Association (IATA) Resolution 753 came into effect, meaning all bags are now tracked throughout their journey and not just at departure and arrival.
How can you minimise the risk of lost luggage?
Luggage can get delayed due to:
- Short connections
- Changes of aircraft after check-in
- Flight delays with connections
- Errors by baggage handlers
How to minimise the risk of lost luggage:
- Consider taking hand luggage only, as some airlines offer generous allowances.
- Take photos of both your luggage and your tags when boarding.
- Ensure your name, city, and phone number are on your bag.
- Use a bag that stands out to reduce the risk of it being accidentally taken.
- Check the actual flight number with the host airline.
Don’t worry
The chances are your luggage won’t end up orbiting Saturn and will turn up a few days after disappearing. In the meantime, know your rights and make sure you capture and keep all the evidence at your disposal.
To find out more about baggage cover, and how to add it to your policy, take a look at our optional extras page.