AirTags Avert Yet Another Potential Baggage Disaster

[kangarooflyer88]

Ever since Apple's AirTags were released, I have been using them with my checked luggage and I must say they have been a worthwhile investment. Seeing where the bags were gave me peace of mind that my bags arrived with me in a destination. Crucially, they have proven to be indefensible over the past 3 trips I took, where the airline has somehow managed to lose the bags I had checked.

Most recently, I was flying from Curitiba, Brazil back to Toronto, Canada an itinerary which involved connecting in São Paulo and Miami. Making matters worse, although the trip was booked directly via American, it included a segment operated by partner Azul. Although Azul has an interline with American, there is always a risk with a non-alliance partner that luggage does not get smoothly transferred over. Checking in at Curitiba, I inquired about whether my luggage would be checked through to Toronto and was advised that it would. Indeed, when I arrived in São Paulo I could see that Azul transferred my luggage over to American as I arrived in Terminal 1 yet my baggage was already in terminal 3 (the international terminal). So far so good. I board my flight to Miami and when I arrive in Miami I check Find My. My baggage shows up as still being in São Paulo:



Well, there's nothing I can do now about that. I end up taking my connecting flight on to Toronto, and once at the baggage claim area I immediately head for the baggage desk to report my missing bag. I get a reference number and am told they'd be in touch (they mention their tracking reports its in Miami). Two days pass by and I notice my bag is still in São Paulo. Frustrated that no action is taken, I call American only to be told that their tracking indicates that the bag arrived with me in Toronto. I tell them I reported the bag missing and am looking at Find My and it's still showing it's in São Paulo. The following day I get contacted by the airline double confirming my luggage and 2 days later I am reunited with my bag.

Moral of the story: consider investing in a tracking device like an AirTag or a Tile. Despite having my bag lost several times, I was never stressed as I always knew where the bag was. I would be curious to learn about whether others use these tracking devices (and what device in particular)? What has your experience been with them? Do you have any tips to share?

Here's one tip I have for AirTags, place them directly inside your bag and skip the AirTag straps that go along the handle of the bag. The reason being is anything attached externally to the suitcase will get chewed up by the baggage equipment at airports.

-RooFlyer88

 

[p--and--t]

Ever since Apple's AirTags were released, I have been using them with my checked luggage and I must say they have been a worthwhile investment. Seeing where the bags were gave me peace of mind that my bags arrived with me in a destination. Crucially, they have proven to be indefensible over the past 3 trips I took, where the airline has somehow managed to lose the bags I had checked.

Most recently, I was flying from Curitiba, Brazil back to Toronto, Canada an itinerary which involved connecting in São Paulo and Miami. Making matters worse, although the trip was booked directly via American, it included a segment operated by partner Azul. Although Azul has an interline with American, there is always a risk with a non-alliance partner that luggage does not get smoothly transferred over. Checking in at Curitiba, I inquired about whether my luggage would be checked through to Toronto and was advised that it would. Indeed, when I arrived in São Paulo I could see that Azul transferred my luggage over to American as I arrived in Terminal 1 yet my baggage was already in terminal 3 (the international terminal). So far so good. I board my flight to Miami and when I arrive in Miami I check Find My. My baggage shows up as still being in São Paulo:

View attachment 439099

Well, there's nothing I can do now about that. I end up taking my connecting flight on to Toronto, and once at the baggage claim area I immediately head for the baggage desk to report my missing bag. I get a reference number and am told they'd be in touch (they mention their tracking reports its in Miami). Two days pass by and I notice my bag is still in São Paulo. Frustrated that no action is taken, I call American only to be told that their tracking indicates that the bag arrived with me in Toronto. I tell them I reported the bag missing and am looking at Find My and it's still showing it's in São Paulo. The following day I get contacted by the airline double confirming my luggage and 2 days later I am reunited with my bag.

Moral of the story: consider investing in a tracking device like an AirTag or a Tile. Despite having my bag lost several times, I was never stressed as I always knew where the bag was. I would be curious to learn about whether others use these tracking devices (and what device in particular)? What has your experience been with them? Do you have any tips to share?

Here's one tip I have for AirTags, place them directly inside your bag and skip the AirTag straps that go along the handle of the bag. The reason being is anything attached externally to the suitcase will get chewed up by the baggage equipment at airports.

-RooFlyer88

Yep. Aeromexico told us (after reporting missing bag on arrival into Vancouver), that it never got loaded in Cuba and they would try and find it. I showed my phone to the operator and said how come it was in the Mexico city baggage handling area half hour ago

 

[wendlle]

been using airtags for a fair while now and find them great. I've used them in luggage, in our stroller at disney world and even on my kids embedded in bracelets.

I always hide them pretty well in the luggage, that way if someone actually steals it, they won't find it easily to throw it away.

 

[DC3]

Ever since Apple's AirTags were released, I have been using them with my checked luggage and I must say they have been a worthwhile investment.

Yes, they work.