10 Essential Travel Hand-Luggage Items in Case Your Baggage is Delayed

Packing your hand-luggage items, or carry-on baggage is an art in itself. You don’t want to carry too much, but you also want to bring those essential basics that you might need in case of emergency. This takes thought and careful planning.

One of the best benefits is to carry the essentials just in case your baggage is delayed.

Hundreds of thousands of baggage items go missing every year and the most common cause is the airline, or their ground agent putting your checked baggage on the wrong plane. Depending on where the plane is going, your baggage may be delayed by hours or days. Unfortunately, airlines do not provide monetary compensation when baggage is delayed. Airlines will however, help locate your baggage and get it delivered to you once it arrives.

This is where Travel Insurance comes in. Most comprehensive Travel Insurance policies cover baggage delay. Your baggage is considered delayed if you don’t have it in your possession after 12 hours or more during your trip. Baggage Delay cover usually provides a financial benefit that will cover essential items that you will need until your baggage arrives. They usually reimburse essential items such as clothing, medication, and toiletries. Always keep receipts and take pictures of the items that you purchased to help you claim later on. Other essential claims requirements will apply in order for you to claim successfully, such as confirmation of the delay from your carrier. Not all Travel Insurance policies cover baggage delay, so when choosing travel insurance, you still need to check and make sure that it’s part of the coverage that you’ve selected.

Here is a list of some of the most essential items to pack in your hand luggage, or carry-on case to avoid some of the stress if your baggage is delayed.

1. Travel documents

All your important travel documents should be inside your hand luggage, preferably organized inside a separate compartment, or plastic folder. This includes: passport/visa, personal IDs, boarding pass, or tickets, airline loyalty programme card, cash and credit cards, Travel Insurance documents, reservations and itineraries, accommodation contact information.

2. A spare set of clothes

It’s always worth carrying a complete spare change of clothes. Go for items as light and compact as possible. This will be a huge help if your baggage is delayed. Remember to pack weather-appropriate and location-appropriate clothing.

3. Toiletries

Carry your toiletry basics, such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, razor, lotion. To save space and weight, carry travel size items (and keep within the carrier regulations with liquids of up to 100ml). Carry a small brush or comb and add anything else that is essential to you.

Read also: FCO: Additional Hand Luggage Restrictions on Some Flights to the UK

4. Make-up

Basic make-up items should be included in your hand luggage. This is important, as you may not be able to get hold of your preferred brand or colour where you are travelling to. Or it may be 3 times the price. Carry what you think are your essential basic make-up items such as lipstick, mascara, foundation, and concealer stick.

5. Chewing gum/snacks

It pays to have a bit of food and chewing gum inside your carry-on just in case you get hungry and it will save you paying top prices at the airport. Chewing gum is especially helpful as it helps with ear popping issues and as instant breath freshener.

6. First aid and medicine kit

Aside from always carrying your prescribed medication, its worth carrying some basics like pain killers, indigestion tablets, anti-diarrhea, allergy medication, anti-bacteria gel, plasters, small disinfectant cream etc.

7. Mobile device

Tablets and mobile phones are helpful and valuable items that should be with you at all times when you’re traveling. Don’t forget headphones and consider bringing noise-cancelling headphones along with your mobile device.

8. Charger/s

Pack your mobile / tablet charger/s inside your carry-on. And it’s well worth carrying an emergency travel charger just in case you cant plug in your usual mains charger. Carry an electrical converter adapter that’s suitable for your destination.

9. Valuable items

As a general rule, you shouldn’t place valuable items such as jewelry and watches inside your check-in baggage. These valuable items should be in your hand luggage at all times.

10. Camera

If you are travelling, your camera is one thing that you always bring with you. Whether you are bringing a DSLR or just a small digital camera, you should keep this in your carry-on instead of your checked-in luggage.

When travelling, it really pays to be ready, anticipate all types of scenarios, and to plan ahead. It will save you time and stress if the unexpected happens to you.

Read also: Top Tips to Outsmart Pickpockets & Keep Your Camera Safe (Infographics)