Pack Your Carry-on Baggage As If the Airline Lost Your Checked Baggage
If there is anything more frustrating than the ridiculously long security lines at the airport, it is that the airline is losing your checked baggage. There is no guarantee that this will never happen, which is why The Points Guy only suggests dropping in a bag that you can afford to lose.
In 2012 alone, more than 26 million bags were mishandled (lost or damaged). That’s nine people with improperly handled bags for every 1000 passengers. So act like you’re ready to go the entire trip without luggage, keeping your most important things in your carry-on luggage. That is, carry with you such important things as medicines, credit and bank cards, car keys and other hard-to-replace items. This may sound like really crazy advice, but in reality, one experience with lost baggage is enough to take this advice seriously.
It takes days or weeks to clear up a delayed baggage fiasco. Reimbursement is usually limited to basic necessities only and possibly a fraction of the cost of replacing baggage and contents. We hope you never have to deal with lost or damaged baggage, but if that happens, be sure to check with your airline for their compensation policy.
7 Habits Of Experienced Travelers | The points guy