Singing the Lost Luggage Blues

GOLDEN BUSINESS IDEA 
H ow many of you business travelers have had lost or delayed luggage due to an airline snafu? With increased security regulations, airport congestion, tight connections and an increased volume of passengers and bags, the problem will only get worse. SITA, a global technology provider for the airline industry, says 30 million bags will be mishandled this year.

How can travelers minimize the problems of lost luggage? You can wear multiple layers of clothing or try to put everything into your carry-on bags and fit them into already jammed overhead bins. Or you can buy insurance. Travelers can find insurance plans to reimburse them for

Lost or stolen baggage. Repair of damaged bags. The purchase of essential items if baggage is delayed. Accommodations and travel expenses if lost luggage results in delays of six hours or more.

When purchasing insurance to cover lost luggage and other travel perils, the U.S. Travel Insurance Association advises consumers to make sure the policy offers the protection they are seeking and to look for insurance companies that are members of the nonprofit group, as they have agreed to abide by a code of ethics and professional principles. The group’s Web site, www.travelinsurance.org , lists companies that meet these standards.

Tip : On your outbound flight, add a paper luggage tag—available at airline ticket counters—with the address of your destination. If your luggage is lost or delayed on this leg of the trip, it may help you recover it faster.