How to Track and Recover Lost Luggage in 2025

I don’t know about you but, every time I’m standing at the baggage carousel after a flight, anxiously waiting to get the hell out of the airport and on with the trip, I think to myself:

What if my bag is lost? 

Surely it is lost? 

But then, my manky red suitcase shows up in all of its travelworn glory and I’m reminded that I probably didn’t need to stress. Until I found this out… 

Suddenly I realised, there are plenty of reasons to worry about bags getting lost in transit. So this blog is for anyone who has lost or (quite rightly) fears losing their bags in 2025. Let’s get into it. 

Most Common Reasons for Lost Luggage

Despite how it may feel, your lost luggage didn’t just vanish into thin air. Something went wrong. While airlines are getting better at managing baggage, there are still some common culprits that are usually at fault for wayward bags.

Mislabelling of Baggage

Those innocuous little bag tags that get slapped on at check-in, if put on incorrectly, they can fall off and leave your bag without a destination. 

Delayed Transfers During Layovers

I’m convinced that if there is a hell, it’ll just be a never-ending series of very tight airport connections. These awful pillars of holiday stress often go from bad to worse because you might make the flight—but your bags may not. 

Airline System Errors

Glitchy computer systems are a fact of life. Unfortunately, airlines blaming human error on computer glitches to pass blame is also a fact of life. 

When you arrive in Australia but find out your bags are now in Austria, you have to wonder whether it was a computer glitch or really a human typo that messed that up. 

Passengers Picking Up the Wrong Bag

If you’ve ever seen a bag on the conveyor belt that looks just like yours and walked up to it, only to see that it’s just a very convincing doppelgänger; you can understand how this can be such a common way to lose bags. 

💡 Pro Tip: We suggest packing your most essential items into your carry-on baggage… just in case.

How to Prevent Losing Luggage

For any readers who haven’t yet lost their bags and are simply looking to avoid such a fate, this section is for you. If your bag is already lost (sorry to hear it), you can skip this section. 

Use Luggage Tags

Luggage tags really do work. Simply writing down your name, number, and (ideally) your destination, gives airlines—and any kind-hearted strangers—a fighting chance at returning your bag if it goes walkabout.

Take Photos of Your Luggage

A quick snapshot before you check in can work wonders. If your bag is lost, a photo makes it much easier to describe to airline staff (let’s face it, “black suitcase” is about as generic as it gets).

Invest in a GPS Tracker

Here’s where things get clever. Devices like The AirBolt GPS can give you real-time updates on your bag’s location, whether it’s still in the departure lounge or halfway to Paris. It’s peace of mind in your pocket.

Double-Check Airline Tags

Before you wave goodbye to your bag at check-in, give the airline’s tags a once-over to make sure they’ve got the right destination printed. 

💡 Pro Tip: Avoid checking in last minute, as it increases the risk of baggage mishandling.

Steps to Recover Lost Luggage

If your luggage has gone missing, don't panic—there are steps you can take to maximize your chances of recovery. Here’s what to do:

1. Report the Issue Immediately

Head straight to the airline’s baggage claim desk as soon as you realise your luggage hasn’t arrived. Give them your baggage claim number (that sticker they give you at check-in that you didn’t think you’d need). The sooner you report it, the better the chances of a swift resolution.

2. File a Lost Luggage Report

This generally happens once you’ve reported to the baggage claim desk. Be prepared to provide the airline with key details such as your flight number, destination, bag description, and any unique identifiers (luggage tags, photos, etc.). Some airlines let you do this online or via their app, but in-person tends to be faster.

3. Stay in Contact with the Airline

Persistence pays off. Stay in regular contact with the airline for updates on your luggage’s status. Many airlines now provide tracking tools so you can monitor the progress of your bag’s return. 

4. Use GPS or Bluetooth Tracker Data

If you’ve invested in a GPS tracker like The AirBolt, now is its time to shine. Use the AirBolt app to pinpoint the real-time location of your bag and share this information with the airline. If your bag is in an unexpected location, your tracker could be the thing that sees your bag returned to you.

5. Keep All Receipts

While waiting for your luggage, you may need to purchase essentials like toiletries or clothing. Keep all receipts as you may be eligible for reimbursement from the airline (or your travel insurance) under their compensation policies.

6. Follow Up with a Claim

If your luggage isn’t returned within a reasonable timeframe (usually around 21 days), file a compensation claim with the airline. Provide all the necessary documentation, including your baggage claim number, receipts for essentials, and any communication you’ve had with the airline.

Having your luggage lost is chaotic and an all-around terrible experience. But remember this:

Around 85% of lost luggage is found and delivered within the first 36 hours

GPS Trackers vs. Bluetooth Trackers for Luggage Tracking

We really can’t stress the importance of putting a tracker in your luggage enough. Coming from a business that makes GPS trackers, this probably isn’t a surprise. But hear us out. 

Many people think of GPS luggage trackers like the AirBolt and Bluetooth trackers like the AirTag or Tile as the same thing. They’re not. 

GPS trackers use satellites and cellular networks to provide real-time tracking anywhere in the world. Devices like The AirBolt GPS don’t need to rely on nearby devices—they work globally, as long as there’s satellite or mobile coverage.

Bluetooth trackers rely on proximity to a network of nearby devices (e.g., other smartphones with Bluetooth enabled). If your luggage is within Bluetooth range—usually around 10-30 metres—you can locate it instantly. When it’s out of range, the tracker uses crowdsourcing: If another Bluetooth-enabled device passes close enough, its location gets updated.

This distinction is very important, as your luggage may not be anywhere near your phone or someone else’s. But equally as important is the range of other travel-friendly features available on the AirBolt such as geo-fencing, SOS alerts, temperature alerts, motion alerts and a 3-month battery life. 

You can find out more about all of that here.