Lost Luggage on the Honeymoon Text Size:

Every year the United States Department of Transportation keeps track of how many airline passengers reported lost baggage. Each year hundreds of thousands of passengers lose luggage in this country alone. If you travel often enough, sooner or later you'll probably be one of those people filling out a report. Don't let lost luggage ruin your honeymoon. Invest in trip insurance, know your airline's policies about lost or damaged luggage, and travel smart.

Travel insurance can reimburse you for a number of trip-related problems including lost and damaged luggage. The insurance is usually inexpensive and is a good idea for everyone. It can reimburse you for items that were lost, destroyed or stolen while in the airline's possession.

Make sure you know what your airline's policies are about lost, damaged or stolen bags or articles. Find out how much they will reimburse you for and what steps you will have to take to claim the loss. Make sure you provide them with all the information they would need to return the bag to you if found.

Help Prevent the Loss or Theft of Your Luggage

The best thing you can do is travel smart. That means:

• If possible, take only carry-on bags with you.
• If checking luggage, pack at least one change of clothes in your carry-on bag.
• If there's anything you're taking that you would be devastated to lose, put it in your carry-on bag.
• Put valuables in your carry-on bag.
• Arrive at the airport early. The closer you cut it the more likely that either you or your bags will miss the flight.
• Make sure that your luggage is in good condition with no frays or tears.
• Remove any loose or dangling straps that could get caught on a conveyor belt.
• Don't stuff your bag until it is bulging.
• Make sure your bag is unlocked so inspectors can easily open it.
• Mark your bag in some way so that you can easily identify it. It should stand out so that if there are fifty nearly identical black suitcases with rollers on the conveyor belt someone won't mistakenly grab yours.
• Leave a piece of paper in your luggage with your contact information in case the tag on the outside is damaged or lost.
• Go straight to the baggage claim carousel to claim your bags before a thief does.

With a little planning you can recover from losing your luggage. With a bit more planning you might not lose it in the first place.