April 23, 2026 | 12:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Travel experts advise taking a photo of your luggage before handing it over to airport staff. Although it may sound trivial, this serves as a form of self-protection and helps reduce the risk of loss.
Rob Merlin, a travel advisor from SmartFlyer, explained the significance of luggage photos, especially when the bag cannot be located during the journey. "We always recommend that clients photograph their luggage before a trip, including the exterior of the bag, the luggage tag, and the contents inside," he told Travel + Leisure.
If your luggage goes missing, the first step is to file a report, usually starting with a description. However, sometimes the description of the bag or items inside may not be sufficient for airport staff due to the presence of thousands of similar bags.
Therefore, photos can be a solution. They capture details that may not be described, such as the brand logo, scratches, and signs of wear. These detailed elements make it easier for staff to distinguish a passenger's luggage from other similar bags. Travelers are not only advised to take photos of their bags from one side, but should also capture them from various angles to ensure clear visibility.
Furthermore, travelers are also advised to photograph newly purchased items during their vacation. If the luggage goes missing on the return journey, these items can only be claimed if their existence can be verified.
Strong Evidence for Insurance Claims
Another crucial point is to document the contents of your bag or luggage. Chistina Tunnah, a manager at the insurance company World Nomad, stated that photos of the bag's contents greatly assist the insurance company in verifying lost or damaged items. Although photos cannot replace purchase receipts, they serve as strong evidence that the items in question were indeed inside the bag at the time of departure.
This is particularly important when carrying high-value items or specialized equipment. According to the regulations of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), airlines are even required to provide compensation of up to $3,800 for domestic baggage delays and $1,780 for international delays. The claim process for this compensation will be much faster with photo evidence, as reported by The Happening.
Baggage Tag Photos
In addition to luggage photos, it is also important to photograph the baggage tags affixed by airport staff. According to a report by Ebiz Travel, these tags contain QR codes and tracking numbers that serve as the bag's identity in the airline system. Due to their susceptibility to getting lost, taking photos of these tags is the safest solution in undesirable situations.
These tag photos also help staff to track whether the luggage was left at the departure airport, mistakenly placed on another plane, or held up at a transit point. Travelers can also use AirTag as an additional security layer. However, official tag photos remain the primary guide for airport staff during manual tracking.
Imanda Zahwa contributed for this article.
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