Get ready to start travelling light. Lost luggage claims or items stolen from bags have doubled in the last 2 years.
According to research published this week by UK insurers, Insure and Go, 1 in 10 adults has lost luggage over the past two years and 1/3 of travellers don’t trust airport baggage handlers.
To ensure your luggage makes it with you from A to B it seems that you’ll either have to travel light or transform your suitcase into nothing short of Fort Knox.
Here are iloho’s top ten tips on how to lighten and tighten up your baggage.
LIGHTEN UP
1. Stick with the suit
If you’re travelling for business save space and travel in your suit. No doubt you’re company’s put you in business or first, so if you’re going longhaul you’ll probably be given pyjamas to change into anyway. Travel weary suits can be reinvigorated with Downy Wrinkle Release plus a hot iron, and a couple of sprays of Febreze will eliminate lingering airline odours.
2. Rock n’ roll
Folding is for amateurs. Roll up your clothes into sausage like bundles; they’ll take up much less space. Super keen rollers should invest in a Pack-Mate storage bag, these nifty travelling companions can compress your belongings by as much as 75%.
3. Socks love shoes and jumpers love jackets
Pack things within things. You’ll free up extra space by rolling socks and ties into shoes and jumpers and shirts into jacket sleeves or trouser legs. Genius.
4. Organise your carry-on like you would a precious file
It’s all about compartments. Make finding things 1000 times easier by putting clothes into one section, toiletries in another, documents in a third and must-have in-flight items (book, iPod etc) in a fourth. Having outside pockets is also a must, you’ll save time at security if you can whip your laptop from an easy-to-reach location.
5. Downsize
Forget about the 500ml shampoos and conditioners. In fact, forget about shampoo and conditioner at all, you can buy most things at your destination or they’ll be available in your hotel bathroom. Wrinkle-phobes and in-flight prunes should decant the essentials into travel friendly 100ml bottles or head to Kiehl’s or Aveda and stock up on free samples!
TIGHTEN UP
6. The camera never lies
So take advantage and photograph everything in your suitcase. If it does end up getting lost or stolen you’ll have tangible proof of what was inside to send to your insurers.
7. Drip with diamonds
If you’re taking valuables with you make sure you keep them on your person. Wear expensive jewellery or keep it in your carry-on. Who knows, turning up dripping in diamonds might even score you an upgrade!
8. Lock up
Invest in a SearchAlert™ Combo Lock. This little gadget lets you know instantly if your luggage has been tampered with. Each comes with a security window that changes colour from green to red if the lock has been opened out of your presence.
In the US, secure your check-in luggage with plastic zip ties or a snazzy cling-film wrap (from machines available in most airport departure halls). Since January the TSA has started screening all checked baggage and traditional locks are cut off (in my case the entire zip was destroyed and I had to invest in a new suitcase). However, the SeachAlert™ can be opened by airport security (using secured tools) to inspect your bags, and re-locked for their onward journey, which makes it a doubly good option.
9. Bare necessities
If you’re travelling somewhere for a big occasion – wedding, business conference etc – don’t forget to keep all the essential items (dress, shoes, toothbrush, notes) in your carry-on luggage. If you’re suitcase is lost or stolen you won’t pass out or have a sudden heart attack.
10. Feel like a total loser
OK, so money belts number amongst the geekiest inventions of all time, but wearing one is worth it. Whilst you’re on the move don’t leave travellers cheques, credit cards, passports or money anywhere other than on your own body. Handbags can be slashed off, rucksacks can be snatched and luggage can be stolen. The true travel geek will sport a money belt diagonally across the body instead off around the waist for added security.
Posted by ilohoblog 