How to Handle Lost or Delayed Luggage while traveling with a Toddler
One of the worst feelings I’ve experienced after successfully arriving at my final destination with my little one is waiting at baggage claim watching each passenger on my flight one by one grab their luggage of the belt and slowly but surely realizing I’m one of the only ones if not the only still standing there as the screen announces that all baggage has arrived on the belt and I’m sitting there empty handed.
I’ve had situations where the car seat and stroller have arrived, but the baggage with our clothes was missing. Or our clothes have arrived, but the car seat seems to be lost. Before I started traveling frequently with Laila, I didn’t realize how common it was for baggage to be lost or delayed because I would typically only bring a carry-on. Once I started traveling with a toddler weekly, I realized life was easier post security with two free hands and began checking everything. I’ve quickly came to understand how impactful delayed luggage without a backup plan can be for parents. I’ve detailed a few ways to handle a lost or delayed luggage situation below.
Bring a carry-on bag
Bringing a carry on is the easiest way to prevent any lost baggage issues because you’re in charge of your own bag the entire trip. I’ve recently ordered new space saver bags (I’ll write a more detailed review of those another time) that help compress all of the clothing items you plan to bring. This can help if your reason for checking baggage is that you need more room. If a carry-on just isn’t a possible solution because of the things you need for your child(ren), I get it and I’ve set some helpful to remember next steps below of what to do when your baggage is lost or delayed.
File a claim for missing luggage with customer service
Once you see that your luggage didn’t arrive hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Head to over to speak to the customer service office of your corresponding airline. Once there, you’ll be able to file a claim and see if the airline associate is able to locate your luggage and give you a quick possible update of its arrival. If they can’t readily locate your baggage, they will use the information you have provided (please give them the proper contact information and local address of where you can be easily reached) to contact you when they have hopefully located your bags and provide you with the steps to have them delivered to you.
Utilize Credit Card and Airline Reimbursements
Your booking credit card most likely offers reimbursement up to a certain amount for delayed or lost luggage, make sure you check with them and the airline who may offer overnight kits or a voucher to buy new clothing until your bag arrives (this is sometimes scenario specific). It’s helpful to try to read the rules for both the credit card used to book your flight and the rules for the airline you are flying before you begin your trip to cut down on waiting time. Before you leave the customer service area ask what they can do for you, if they say “nothing” it’s time to politely ask for a supervisor who is usually authorized to do more for customers with issues. Take the time to explain your specific scenario and ask for their reimbursement or voucher policy for customers with delayed/lost luggage. They keep on hand strollers and car seats for you to use until your missing items arrive as well. They’re usually pretty helpful, especially when they see you are traveling with your kid(s).
Don’t stress out, in all likely hood your bag will show up
I’m sure we all know that if your child sees you stressed, they will also become stressed. This will not help an already annoying situation you’re currently in. In all of the traveling we have done, I’ve probably been in the scenario of delayed luggage at least 20 times. In each scenario my bag was located and returned within 24-48 hours. It can be an irritating experience, but the key is to remain calm if for nothing else than to keep your kid(s) in the same mood and know that these scenarios have a way of typically working themselves out in your favor. Invest in a good backpack or easy to carry duffle bag that holds at least one day’s worth of outfits for your family and any valuables or item that are special to you. As most of us traveling mamas know when things are out of your hands they don’t always go as planned, so the solution is to be prepared with a backup.
