TRAVELERS can now be paid out $1,000 paid out for every lost bag – for just a $5 fee.
Thousands of summer hols are ruined every year due to lost luggage.
It remains every flier’s fear that while they will safely arrive at the destination – their luggage may not.
But one firm is new offering “guaranteed peace of mind” for just $5.
Statement
In a statement on its website, Blue Ribbon Bags said: “For only $5.00 BRB will track and expedite the return of your undelivered baggage by the airline.
“If your luggage is not found after 96 hours BRB will send you $1,000.”
Anyone considering signing up for the policy is urged to read the small print.
It also states: “Remember to first notify the airline that your baggage did not arrive at your flight’s end-point.
“The airline will provide the tracking information needed to file a report with Blue Ribbon Bags.
“All missing baggage must be reported to Blue Ribbon Bags within 24 hours of passenger’s flight landing.”
If you’re about to start packing for a holiday, then it’s worth weighing up your options for the potential headache of lost luggage.
New tech trick
There is also a clever new tech trick doing the rounds that you need to set up before flying – and it could save your summer hols from being ruined.
Loads of airlines now support a special feature that lets them track your Apple AirTags.
That way if your luggage is lost, they can easily track it down with one of the clever Apple tracker beacons.
The feature was first announced back in November 2024, and now a long list of airlines offer the service.
But you’ll need to take steps to get ready for the feature before you actually head to the airport.
The feature works using AirTags, which are an Apple product designed to help you find lost items.
You’d normally attach them to your luggage, or keys, or drop one in your purse – and then see the location live via the Find My app on your iPhone.
But in November, Apple announced that iOS 18.2 would let you Share Item Location with another person.
To check if you’ve got that iOS version, go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone.
Then you can go into the Find My app and generate a Share Item Location link.
Anyone who receives that link will be able to see a website with the location of an item on an interactive map.
Then if an airline has mishandled or delayed your bag, you’ll be able to share that link with them directly.
They’ll be able to see the item on a map and even play a sound.
Once you’ve got your AirTag-equipped luggage back, the location-sharing will be disabled.
It’ll also automatically expire after seven days – and you can shut it off at any time.
How do Apple Air Tags work?
Here’s the official explanation from Apple…
“When youʼve left something far behind, like at the beach or the gym, the Find My network — hundreds of millions of iPhone, iPad and Mac devices around the world — helps track down your AirTag,” Apple explains.
“And it is designed to protect your privacy every step of the way.
“Your AirTag sends out a secure Bluetooth signal that can be detected by nearby devices in the Find My network.
“These devices send the location of your AirTag to iCloud – then you can go to the Find My app and see it on a map.
“The whole process is anonymous and encrypted to protect your privacy. And itʼs efficient, so thereʼs no need to worry about battery life or data usage.”
Apple added: “If someone else’s AirTag finds its way into your stuff, the network will notice it’s travelling with you and send your iPhone an alert.
“If you still havenʼt found it after a while, the AirTag will start playing a sound to let you know it’s there.”
Picture Credit: Apple
