7 tips and tricks to prevent your suitcase from getting lost

1. Stand by your suitcase – and make it unmistakable

Black, sturdy, with wheels and an extendable handle. This description fits a surprising number of suitcases at the baggage carousel. And even if the models differ slightly in detail, it's always possible that in the hustle and bustle of the airport, you might get briefly distracted and simply grab the first suitcase that looks like your own. In fact, certain suitcase models are so common that you'll actually find suitcases that look identical at the same baggage claim. To avoid confusion and ensure that you're actually leaving the airport with your own luggage, you should personalize your suitcase as much as possible.

A great way to do this is to simply decorate your suitcase with your favorite motifs. For those looking for a higher-quality and more durable alternative to traditional stickers, we have a cool idea:

Airbrush motifs on your suitcase

Truly individual, high-quality, and truly beautiful! The motifs are sprayed onto the suitcase using a stencil and an airbrush. The paint used is waterproof and specifically designed for plastics, so the motif is guaranteed to stay on your suitcase for a long time. hand luggage , suitcase set or Trolley .

2. Be modest and don’t arouse the curiosity of thieves

It is better to personalize a medium-priced suitcase than to invest in a particularly extravagant suitcase set wanting to stand out from the crowd. Otherwise, you run the risk of your expensive suitcase being deliberately stolen. If you can't live without that chic, high-end designer suitcase, it's better to carry it as hand luggage. A bulky security lock on your suitcase is also not recommended. This will only pique the interest of thieves who suspect a large haul in your locked luggage.

3. Follow the rules

Scissors are allowed in checked baggage (please not in carry-on baggage), but you should avoid: knives, weapons, fireworks, or other prohibited items. Every checked suitcase undergoes a security check and, according to an EU directive, must be x-rayed before being loaded onto the plane. If it has to be opened because of suspicious items, you may miss the flight. You can find the complete list of all prohibited items on the website of the German Federal Aviation Office.

4. Take a selfie with your luggage set

This may sound strange at first, but in an emergency, it actually helps to have a picture of yourself with your suitcase. A photo of your luggage can be very helpful for airport staff in the event of a lost item, allowing them to quickly locate it among many others. It also makes it easy to prove that it's your own.

5. Don't confuse anyone!

It's important to remove all old luggage tags from previous flights from your suitcase before checking in. Otherwise, your suitcase may end up on the wrong flight because an airport employee misplaced the wrong tag during loading.

6. Plan enough time!

Arrive early for check-in – if the airport staff have enough time to process your luggage, fewer mistakes will occur. On the other hand, if things are hectic and you check in your luggage too close to departure, it's more likely that it won't be processed and will be left behind.

The same applies to connecting flights with too short a transfer time. It's better to plan more generously and factor in possible delays. Generally, major European airports require at least an hour to transfer luggage from one plane to the next. And: An airline would rather fly without the missing suitcase than delay a flight, as the costs would be considerably higher than forwarding a left-behind suitcase.

• To short transfer time or errors at the transit airport
• Faulty or Incorrect labeling of luggage at the baggage check-in
• Problems at customs: Sometimes you have a small note on your suitcase and maybe even a broken lock. Customs has probably taken a quick look inside, and unfortunately, such an inspection can sometimes take a while, meaning your suitcase won't make it onto your intended flight in time.
• Bad weather conditions: Bad weather at the airport can also lead to traffic problems at the airport itself – which can, of course, also affect the baggage trolleys.
• Worst case: The suitcase was stolen!! According to a study, about 3.4 percent of the world's missing suitcases are stolen, so it is even more important never to leave valuables in your checked Suitcase to stow away.

And what should you do if the suitcase disappears?

If your suitcase doesn't arrive despite all precautions, the first thing to do is stay calm. Don't be too impatient and wait until the baggage carousel for your flight is actually closed. Sometimes a suitcase is held up a little longer, for example, if it ended up on a different trolley during loading.

If you still don't see your suitcase, first look for the "Lost and Found" baggage counter (usually located in the arrivals hall). There you can report your suitcase as missing. The employee will ask you to describe your luggage as accurately as possible – the photo you took of it before departure will help you here. You will receive a copy of the lost luggage report, which also includes a reference number. Please note: Please use this document to report the loss of your suitcase to the airline immediately.

With a bit of luck, you'll get your suitcase back on the next flight. If your suitcase remains missing permanently, every traveler is entitled to compensation, but only up to a certain maximum amount. You can find out more about this in your airline's terms and conditions.