A suitcase goes missing for nine days across multiple airlines and countries, and we turn the chaos into a clear, repeatable travel system. Alexa walks through the exact steps that lowered stress, sped up delivery, and maximized reimbursements while touring, teaching, and performing on the road.

We start with prevention that pays off when things go wrong: layer-by-layer packing photos, a simple cloud inventory, suitcase shots, and bright identifiers that make claims painless. You will hear which items should never leave your carry-on, why sentimental or irreplaceable pieces either stay home or stay with you, and how old, overstuffed luggage quietly raises your risk of damage. We dig into AirTags and Tiles, airline bag-tracking apps, and when travel insurance is worth it for long or complex trips—plus how it filled the gap when airline reimbursement fell short.

Then we get tactical. At the first hint of a delay, work every channel: line up at the gate desk, rebook in the app, and call the airline at the same time. If your bag does not arrive, head straight to the baggage desk before leaving the airport, file a claim, and lock down your reference number. Keep every receipt, scan everything, and centralize notes, photos, tags, and forms. Learn how to contact partner airlines to find the last scan, what daily allowances typically cover, and how to choose versatile essentials that carry you through work and play without wasting money. We also cover deadlines for delayed, damaged, and lost luggage, passenger rights under US DOT, EU 261, and the Montreal Convention, and how to coordinate benefits across the airline, your insurer, and your credit card.

Travel smarter, not harder. Save this playbook for your next trip, share it with a friend who checks bags, and tell us your wildest lost-luggage story on socials. If this helped, subscribe, leave a quick review, and pass it along to your favorite traveler.

Please support our show by shopping through Eagle Creek: https://alnk.to/gVNDI6N and/or feel free to donate to:
http://paypal.me/TheROAMies

And it means the world to us when you subscribe, rate and share our podcast.

Alexa and Rory
The ROAMies

Follow us at:
http://www.TheROAMies.com
@The ROAMies: Facebook and Instagram
YouTube and X.