What to do when your suitcase gets lost?
You packed your suitcase with great care. Everything runs smoothly at the check-in desk. No queues at the security control and no flight delay. The holiday is off to a good start!
After landing, you confidently make your way to the baggage carousel in the arrivals hall. But, alas, your suitcase is nowhere to be seen. What to do?
First of all: don't panic. You look for the luggage tag that the ground crew handed over when you checked in your luggage. They usually stick it on your boarding pass. In any case, this is an important tip: make sure you keep the luggage label properly saved after checking in, until you have collected all your luggage upon arrival.
PIR Form & World Tracer
Take the luggage label to the service desk in the entrance hall.
A report is drawn up here, a so-called PIR Form (Property Irregularity Report). In this form, all relevant information is registred, such as name, telephone, accommodation address and a description of your luggage. Each PIR has its own file number, which you can use to check the status of your delayed baggage online via the World Tracer.
In most cases, the luggage is found within 48 hours. This will be brought to the accommodation by the responsible airline or handling agent.
Stand out!
Apart from your suitcase being loaded on the wrong flight, it can also happen that your beloved suitcase is accidentally taken by someone else at the arrival belt.
Many suitcases look alike, so this happens more frequently than you might think. Make sure your suitcase stands out. A colored strap or unique sticker on your luggage already helps enormously to prevent confusion.
Compensation for delayed luggage
As long as the luggage has not been arrived and delivered, you have the right to purchase necessary items. This includes toiletries, underwear and (swimming) clothing. It is important that you keep the receipts, because you will need them if you submit a claim with the airline.
Do you take valuables with you in your luggage? then it might be a good idea to take out extra insurance. You will find more information about this on the Travel Insurance page.
