How to keep your baggage safe when travelling

So you've tagged your bags, zipped them close and off you go to the Airport, all excited about that long awaited vacation or business trip to some exotic overseas destination.

Traveling is no longer the fun it used to be. Security checks are a source of great frustration to many people, particularly when you are already late getting to the gate. So in order to minimize stress and the possibility of lost baggage, particularly during periods of heavy travel, here are some tips that will hopefully make your trip more pleasant..

The question to ask yourself, is "Do you really know what is packed in each suitcase"???

Think again, because that may be a big clue in finding your baggage if it goes missing.

Here are some tips that will help you avoid that problem or at the minimum, enable you to be reunited with your missing baggage a lot sooner, if you do have that misfortune.

1. Be sure to tag all suitcases/bags with name, hotel and destination
2. It a good idea to have identification inside suitcase as well
3. Be aware of specific identifying items in your suitcase (eg: blue Marc Jacobs dress)
4. Keep medication and jewelry in hand baggage
5. Insure your valuables
6. Purchase travel insurance
7. Use only TSA approved locks
8. Put an identifying mark on your suitcase, so you can identify it easily as it comes on the baggage belt.
9. In the even that your baggage has been mishandled, keep the Airline busy until your bags arrive and track online wherever possible.
10. Ascertain what basic costs will be covered as you will probably end up being out of pocket, for essential items.

Baggage destination tags sometimes get broken off before they get to the destination, so having your bags tagged inside as well, makes it identifiable if the external tag is missing.

1. Being able to recall specific identifying items in your baggage helps to create more accurate matches in the tracking system.
2. The wisdom of keeping medication and jewelry with you is obvious
3. Airline compensation for lost baggage is minimal and can never replace the value of what you have lost.

In closing, if you have a connecting flight in San Juan to the caribbean islands, you should know that large carry-ons are generally taken away airside, as propeller planes are used, and there are no jetbridges for these destinations. This means that you are separated from your hand luggage for a period of time. As such, it is important to ensure that you keep your medication and valuables with you in the cabin.

A final word to the wise: arriving at the airport early for check-in will go a long way in minimizing the possibility of your baggage going astray.