We're traveling to Europe for two weeks so we've got to check some luggage. How can we make sure it will get where we're going?

A two-week trip will probably require you to check luggage (although you can do two weeks in Europe with just a carry-on. We can say firsthand that you will get tired of those clothes and all the hand laundry that's required.) There are a few steps you can take to make sure those checked bags arrive safe and sound:

• take a digital photo of your luggage. If your bag doesn't make it, you'll have to go to a baggage claim office and give a description of the bag, usually looking at a book of luggage photos to select the right style and color. After a long day of travel, it can be tough to remember which piece of luggage you brought on the trip. Let your first picture on the trip be of that luggage before you check it!
• make sure you have each piece tagged and tagged again. We've had luggage tags ripped off by conveyor belts; make sure you have two tags on each piece of luggage. And don't rely on the often-flimsy straps that come with many luggage tags (you know...the ones that look like a cheap watch band). Get some plastic ties that will lock in place.
• put a business card inside each piece of luggage. Write the hotel name and city where you'll be spending the first few days.
• lock your luggage.
• don't put any items in outside, unlocked pockets of your luggage. These items are easy prey for thieves.
• Put some of your clothes in his luggage and visa versa. Just in case one piece of luggage makes it and the other goes astray, you'll each have some clothes for the first few days.
• make sure your bag is tagged correctly at the airport. Check to make sure your airline claim tag is put on your luggage.
• Make sure you don't have any old airline bag tags on the luggage. Don't confuse anyone by having old airline bag tags on the luggage. Only your bag ID tags and the present airline tags should be hanging off your luggage.

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