What to Do Before You Travel So Lost Luggage Doesn't Ruin Your Family Holiday

It's the moment every traveller dreads: standing at the baggage carousel, watching the last suitcase make its rounds, and slowly realising yours isn't on it. I know this feeling firsthand - our family was travelling to the Cook Islands and overnighting in Auckland when I discovered my bag had never left Perth. We had a turtle snorkelling experience booked and I arrived in the tropics wearing my winter clothes, with not a pair of bathers in sight. Not ideal.

While lost luggage is less common than it used to be, it still happens - and when you're travelling with kids, a missing bag can throw out the first day or two of your family holiday fast. The good news is that a bit of preparation before you leave home can save you a lot of stress if your bags don't arrive when you do.

It's a horrible feeling when you find out your luggage has been left behind.

Take a Photo of Your Suitcase

Before you head to the airport, snap a quick photo of each bag from the outside. When you're standing at a lost luggage counter with tired children and a long queue behind you, being able to show exactly what your suitcase looks like is far more useful than trying to describe it. Half the bags on that carousel are black with wheels - a photo makes yours instantly identifiable. It's one of the simplest family travel tips there is and takes about ten seconds.

Try to make your suitcase stand out

Photograph the Contents

This one feels like overkill until you actually need it. A quick photo of what you've packed - particularly the kids' items - can support a travel insurance claim and help prove ownership if your bag turns up in another city. It also jogs your memory when you're trying to list everything that was inside. For families travelling with children, having that photographic record can make the insurance process significantly smoother.

It only takes a moment to snap an image, but can be very valuable when your asked to provide details of the contents in the bag

Attach a Name and Contact Label

Make sure every piece of luggage, including the kids, has a sturdy tag with your name, phone number and email address. If your bag is found, this is often how it makes its way back to you quickly - especially if the airline or airport staff can reach you directly rather than going through a lengthy tracing process.

A simple luggage tag can be very helpful.

Pack Essentials in Your Carry-On

This is the most important packing tip for families. Keep any medications (including the children's), a change of clothes for each child, chargers, and all important documents in your carry-on. A favourite comfort item for little ones is worth squeezing in too - because a long travel day is hard enough without also explaining why their beloved stuffed toy is somewhere over the Pacific. As for bathers - after our Cook Islands experience, I now treat those as carry-on essentials as well.

Keeping your essentials plus some spare clothes in your carry-on makes a missing luggage less chaotic.

At the end of the day, most missing bags are reunited with their owners within a few days. Airlines have improved their tracking significantly, and in many cases bags arrive on the very next flight. But a little preparation before you leave means that even if yours takes a slight detour, your family holiday stays on track.

About the Author

Shelley Hasson is a Perth-based family travel specialist and founder of The Family Travel Studio, specialising in bucket list holidays for Australian families. Certified specialist in Japan, Hawaii, USA, Cook Islands, Singapore, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Disney Cruises and Princess Cruises.