Share Checked Luggage With Your Travel Companion In Case A Bag Gets Lost

I travel a good bit, so I’ve started to reach a point where not too many travel “hacks” surprise me. However, this week a friend of mine made a suggestion I was surprised I hadn’t thought of before: splitting your checked items across two suitcases with a friend.

[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/12/this-is-what-happens-when-sydney-airport-loses-your-luggage/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/11/Luggage-410×231.jpg” title=”This Is What Happened When Sydney Airport Lost My Luggage” excerpt=”My bag and I have been round the world many times. We’ve seen and experienced amazing things but none stranger than when we flew to Adelaide from Sydney. Flight QF783 landed in Adelaide on Thursday night, November 10, but the bag didn’t arrive at the luggage carousel. The lady at the baggage office tapped at her terminal and then said. “Oh my God, it’s lost.””]

The idea behind this is this if one of you lose your suitcase, you both will still have the things you need to get by until the MIA suitcase makes its way to your destination.

Personally, I try to avoid checking a bag whenever possible, but sometimes doing so is pretty unavoidable. When you’re travelling for a week or more, especially to a colder climate that calls for bulkier clothes, then you probably need to go for that larger bag.

If you’re travelling with a partner or friend, rather than carrying your own individual suitcases, split the load between each of you. For instance, when my boyfriend and I travel to France later this year I might put half my outfits in his bag and half of his in mine. If he’s travelling with two warm sweaters, I’ll take one and he can take the other. It goes without saying, but does this swap together so you know what’s inside your bag if an airport employee asks.

Yes, both of our bags could wind up lost since we’re on the same itinerary, but this sort of hedges your bets a bit so you have a better chance of making it to your destination with half your stuff rather than nothing.

And obviously, even when you split stuff makes sure you’re carrying on essentials like your house keys and important documents and medications. While your checked luggage will probably make it (in the over 100+ flights I’ve checked a bag they have only lost mine once), you’re still better safe than sorry.