Imagine this: You’ve just reached your destination at the airport and can’t wait to get out and explore.
One thing, though, is preventing you from leaving the airport: you just realized that you will have to wait forever for your luggage in baggage claim.
The minutes pass while you experience the existential dread of waiting for the conveyor belt siren to sound in the hopes that your bag will arrive at the conveyor belt in time, ideally undamaged, if it does.
There are strategies to reduce the likelihood of having to wait a long time at baggage claim or, worse, not getting your luggage at all.
Although they are not infallible, these six suggestions can improve your chances of getting your bags on the conveyor belt first and undamaged.
Check your bag at the gate
You have the option to check your suitcase for free at the gate if your flight is packed.
By doing this, you can avoid queuing at the baggage carousel and pick up your luggage at the jet bridge.
According to AAA Club Alliance, this option is often available on smaller domestic flights with less overhead bin room, so it’s not a guarantee.
Your luggage will probably be moved to a baggage carousel if you’re on a larger trip, and it won’t arrive sooner than that of other passengers.
Get a first class ticket
Priority luggage handling is available to first class passengers, while basic economy and economy ticket holders without frequent flyer status do not have different baggage handling policies.
According to the airline’s website, Delta Airlines, for instance, offers its Delta One, Delta Premium Select, and Delta First passengers Sky Priority baggage service.
This service is also available to first-class passengers on American Airlines.
Rack up frequent flyer status
Most airlines will flag your suitcase for priority handling if you become a frequent flyer, though this does not guarantee that you will be the first person at baggage claim.
For instance, you can receive priority baggage handling based on your tier if you are a frequent traveler on a One World member airline or a Star Alliance carrier.
This increases the likelihood that you will get your luggage first on the baggage carousel since it will be labeled and handled first when you arrive.
Steer clear of peak hours at the airport
Choose to travel during off-peak hours if you can, such as midnight flights or less crowded times of the year.
There will be less luggage to manage during loading and unloading if fewer passengers are traveling on the same flight at the same time.
According to Columbus Magazine, this implies that you can improve your chances of getting your stuff sooner.
Get a priority or fragile tag even if you don t have status or fly in a premium cabin
Even if you don’t travel frequently or are in a luxury cabin, you can always request a priority or fragile tag for your luggage.
According to Travel + Leisure, these can occasionally be purchased during check-in.
Additionally, suitcases that are tagged as delicate are often loaded last and positioned on top of the luggage pile.
The first bags to be unpacked are these ones.
Remove old luggage stickers before check in
Regarding tags, it’s simple to overlook the possibility that the bags you’re using for your next journey still include luggage stickers with barcodes from earlier travels.
To prevent possible confusion for the employees handling your luggage, remove any outdated stickers and tags.
Afar claims that in this manner, baggage handlers can quickly process your luggage and guarantee that you receive it on time, particularly in crowded airports where there are several bags to pick through.
Don t check in right away
Contrary to popular belief, early check-in does not result in your luggage being among the first items removed from the baggage carousel.
It will probably be among the final items of luggage to discharge if it is loaded initially.
In order to avoid missing the cutoff time, you can choose to check in and give off your luggage a little later.
If you’re checking luggage, most airlines require you to check in at least 45 minutes before to a domestic trip.
For instance, United Airlines requires all passengers to check in at least 45 minutes before to the departure of any domestic flight and 60 minutes prior to the departure of any international trip.
Fly into a smaller airport
traveling into a smaller airport can offer benefits, but traveling out of a smaller airport won’t retrieve your suitcase any faster.
Travel + Leisure claims that because smaller airports have more advanced systems, they often deliver bags more quickly than larger airports that must handle a higher volume of bags.
When there are fewer passengers, there are fewer bags for baggage handlers to sort and unload upon arrival.
Check your stroller at the gate
When going through an airport with little children, parents manage boarding cards, luggage, and the children themselves.
Check your stroller at the gate to expedite the procedure and reduce wait times at baggage claim.
This can help you get your bags more quickly, keep babies comfy as you wait to board, and dash to your gate if you’re running late.
According to Columbus Magazine, the stroller may be given to you on the boarding deck as soon as you land and depart on short flights. On larger planes, however, it is typically one of the first things put on the carousel or in the large baggage area.
You can also use a travel buggy as a carry-on that you can keep in an overhead bin if you want to completely skip baggage claim.
Reduce or eliminate the wait time before boarding to provide yourself some much-needed comfort.
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