Your Bags Didn’t Arrive? What to Do When Delayed Baggage Disrupts Your Trip
If your luggage does not arrive at your destination, knowing what to do next can help reduce stress & avoid delays in the recovery process.
Key takeaways
Report your missing luggage to the airline and file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) before leaving the airport.
Track your baggage using the airline's tracing system and keep your PIR reference number handy.
Buy only essential items while waiting for your luggage and save all receipts for reimbursement purposes.
Review the claim requirements of both your airline and travel insurance provider early, and keep all relevant documents organised.
You've landed and are waiting at the baggage carousel for your suitcase. The last bag comes through, the carousel stops, and yours has not arrived.
A missing bag can be frustrating, especially when you need clothes, toiletries, or other essentials for your trip. The good news is that there are clear steps you can take to report the issue, track your luggage, and prepare for any unexpected expenses while you wait.
Step #1: File an official Property Irregularity Report (PIR) immediately
As soon as you realise your luggage is missing, head to your airline's baggage service desk. You'll usually find it near the baggage claim area.
Do this before leaving the airport. Reporting the issue on the spot helps create an official record and allows the airline to start tracing your luggage straight away.
You will typically need:
Your boarding pass
Baggage claim tags
Passport
Flight details
The airline staff will usually ask you to complete a Property Irregularity Report (PIR). This report confirms that your baggage has been delayed and starts the tracking process.
Once the report is submitted, you'll receive a reference number. Take a photo of the report and save the reference number somewhere easy to find.
You'll need it later when tracking your luggage, following up with the airline, or submitting any claims.
Step #2: Track your luggage
Once you've filed your report, the next step is to keep an eye on your luggage's status. Many airlines offer online baggage tracking tools that allow you to check where your bag is and whether there are any updates on its journey.
You may see updates such as:
Located at another airport
Loaded onto a connecting flight
Arrived at your destination
Out for delivery
Checking for updates from time to time can help you understand where your luggage is and whether there has been any progress in the tracing process.
If you use a luggage tracker such as an Apple AirTag, you may also be able to see your bag's last known location. If the tracker shows where your luggage is, consider sharing that information with the airline, as it may help with the tracing process.
Step #3: Buy what you need & keep every receipt
If your baggage is delayed for more than a few hours, you may need to buy some essentials while you wait.
This could include:
A change of clothes
Basic toiletries
Phone chargers or travel adapters
Business attire if you're travelling for work
If you make any purchases, keep the itemised receipts and any supporting documents. Airlines may request these if you later seek reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred due to the delay.
But before you start replacing everything in your suitcase, it's worth understanding what may be considered a reasonable expense.
What expenses are usually considered reasonable?
When your baggage is delayed, the goal is to replace essential items you need in the meantime, not everything that was packed in your suitcase.
Deciding whether to make a purchase? Ask yourself: is this something I need right now, or can it wait until my bag is returned?
For example, if you're travelling for work and your luggage contains your business attire, purchasing a replacement outfit may be considered reasonable. The same goes for necessities such as toiletries or a change of clothes.
As a general rule, focus on what you need to get through the next day or two comfortably while waiting for your luggage to arrive. Airlines and insurance companies typically only limit reimbursement to "reasonable and essential" expenses.
Step #4: Prepare for the claims process
Once you've reported the delay and gathered your documents, take some time to understand what information may be required by your airline and/or travel insurance provider.
For example, an airline may request receipts for essential purchases, while a travel insurer may require documents confirming the baggage delay and its duration.
Keep copies of:
Your PIR reference number
Boarding pass
Baggage tags
Travel itinerary
Airline correspondence
Supporting documents relating to the delay
Income's Travel Insurance provides up to $2,000 baggage delay coverage¹. Eligibility and benefit amounts depend on factors such as the length of the delay, the plan selected, and the applicable policy terms and conditions.
The plan also includes other travel-related benefits, such as:
Up to $8,000 coverage for loss of travel documents1
Family cover2 when travelling with your spouse/partner and children
3 common mistakes travellers make
- Leaving the airport without filing a report: If your luggage is missing, don't wait until you've reached your hotel to report it. Filing a PIR at the airport creates an official record of the delay and allows the airline to start tracing your bag as soon as possible.
- Throwing away receipts: Whether it's a toothbrush, a change of clothes, or a phone charger, keep the receipt. Even small purchases may be relevant if you need to submit a claim later.
- Waiting too long to submit claims: Airlines and travel insurers may have deadlines for submitting claims. Waiting too long could affect your ability to claim eligible expenses, so it's worth checking the requirements as early as possible.
Situations like delayed baggage can be frustrating, especially when you're already dealing with unfamiliar surroundings, tight schedules, or connecting travel plans. If you're looking for practical ways to prepare for unexpected travel disruptions, check out how to reduce travel stress for a more pleasant trip.
Remember, delayed baggage is not the only travel disruption that can affect your plans. Flight delays and cancellations can also create unexpected changes to your itinerary, accommodation, and transport arrangements. Learn more about flight delays and cancellations as well as what travellers should know before they fly.
Take action before your next trip to prevent delayed baggage problems
Discovering that your luggage hasn't arrived can be frustrating, but knowing what to do next can help you stay organised and avoid unnecessary stress.
File your report before leaving the airport, track your bag regularly, keep receipts for essential purchases, and submit claims within the required deadlines. A little organisation can go a long way towards helping you recover your expenses and get back to enjoying your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about delayed baggage
1. What should I pack in my carry-on in case my baggage is delayed?
While no one expects their luggage to go missing, it helps to keep a few essentials in your cabin bag.
Consider packing:
Travel documents
Medication
Phone chargers
A change of clothes
Basic toiletries that comply with cabin baggage restrictions
If you're travelling for work or attending a special event, you may also want to keep any important items you'll need within the first 24 hours after arrival.
2. What happens if my baggage is delayed on a connecting flight?
Baggage delays can sometimes occur when luggage needs to be transferred between flights.
Before leaving the airport, confirm that your baggage has been tagged to your final destination and check with the airline if additional information is needed. Keeping details of all flight segments can also make it easier to follow up on your baggage status.
3. Can someone else collect my luggage if it arrives after I've left the airport?
This depends on the airline's procedures and the arrangements made when your baggage is located.
Some airlines may deliver delayed baggage directly to your accommodation, while others may require collection or authorisation for another person to collect it on your behalf. Check with the airline for their specific requirements.
4. What should I do if my delayed baggage contains prescription medication?
Contact the airline immediately and let them know that your luggage contains prescription medication.
If you need access to medication urgently, seek advice from a doctor, pharmacy, or relevant healthcare provider at your destination. For future trips, it's generally advisable to keep prescription medication in your carry-on baggage whenever possible.
1 For Standard Preferred Plan. Policy Ts&Cs apply.
2 Family cover provides coverage for 1 or 2 adults who are spouses or partners at the time of purchase and any number of their children as long as:
- Adult(s) is 16 years and above and is the parent or legal guardian of the children
- Child(ren) is below 21 years old and is the biological or legally adopted child(ren) or ward of the adult named under the policy
- Adult(s) and child(ren) must be insured under the same policy
- Adult(s) and child(ren) must travel together if they are insured under single trip plans (not applicable for yearly plans).
This article is meant purely for informational purposes and does not constitute an offer, recommendation, solicitation or advice to buy or sell any product(s). It should not be relied upon as financial advice. The precise terms, conditions and exclusions of any Income Insurance products mentioned are specified in their respective policy contracts. Please seek independent financial advice before making any decision.
These policies are protected under the Policy Owners’ Protection Scheme which is administered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC). Coverage for your policy is automatic and no further action is required from you. For more information on the types of benefits that are covered under the scheme as well as the limits of coverage, where applicable, please contact Income Insurance or visit the GIA/LIA or SDIC websites (www.gia.org.sg or www.lia.org.sg or www.sdic.org.sg).
Related Articles
Related Articles
