luggage

Nobody likes waiting for their luggage to come off the carousel, but according to one travel specialist, using a certain sticker will mean your bags will be heading to the belt that much faster

Many of us will be heading to the airport soon, whether it’s to visit family for Christmas or to go after some winter sun, and that means terminals will be much busier than usual.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of waiting around when you visit an airport, from getting through security to passport control, but one travel specialist claims there’s a trick to help you save time. Best of all, it’s completely free.

Hadleigh Diamond, commercial director at SCS Chauffeurs, claims that if you add a fragile sticker to your checked bag, it’s likely it’ll be loaded last onto the aircraft, meaning that it’ll come out first onto the carousel at the other end.

Fragile stickers can be requested free of charge from staff at check-in and are intended for passengers carrying delicate items, such as glassware or ceramics. However, anyone can request one of these labels for their bag.

Hadleigh said: “Clients regularly tell us that the difference between a good travel day and a stressful one often starts with baggage reclaim. If you’re standing waiting for 30 minutes while the carousel clunks out someone else’s bags, your trip can feel so much longer.

“But the fragile sticker trick is a game-changer — and it often works. We’ve heard this tip from both airport ground staff and frequent flyers. You don’t need to lie or explain — just politely ask the check-in agent to add a ‘fragile’ sticker to your suitcase. It’s not guaranteed, but more often than not, your bag is among the first out. We’ve seen it work time and time again.”

While baggage handling varies at every airport, as a general rule, items marked as ‘fragile’ are placed last in the airport’s hold, as this helps prevent them from being crushed or being placed under heavier loads. So, no matter where you end up sitting on the plane, if your bag is marked as fragile, it’s more likely to be one of the first items taken out of the hold and could even be among the first to arrive at the carousel.

And this trick isn’t just for people who are impatient. If you have scheduled transfers or a tight connection, the last thing you want to do is be stuck waiting around the luggage carousel. Baggage reclaim delays can see you held up for over 40 minutes during peak times, so this trick could help you avoid the stress of a missed connection.

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Recently, travellers were warned against using another luggage hack, which many people utilise to help identify their suitcase at the conveyor belt. Passengers were warned never to tie a ribbon onto their suitcase, as according to baggage handlers, any loose items can get caught in the carousel machinery, potentially delaying luggage for other airline travellers as well.

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There are a few simple things you can do to make sure your suitcase doesn’t get lost in transit – and it’s as easy as adding one item to your luggage

It’s the stuff of holiday nightmares. You’ve landed at your dream destination, eager to start exploring, only to discover your suitcase is nowhere to be found.

All you’re left with is your hand luggage and the clothes you’re wearing, with no clue when – or if – your suitcase will turn up.

To dodge this frightful scenario, there are a few steps you can take to safeguard your luggage from going astray.

The relocation gurus at 1st Move International have revealed their top tips for keeping your belongings secure whilst on the move – and the best methods to guarantee they reach your destination.

They suggest one of the most effective things you can do is pop a piece of paper inside your suitcase with your travel itinerary and contact details on it.

This means that in the unfortunate event of your luggage being lost or delayed, airport staff will swiftly know where to send it, reports the Express.

It’s also wise to attach a robust luggage tag to the exterior of your suitcase with a unique design.

This way, you can spot your bag more easily after your flight, and other passengers are less likely to mistakenly pick up yours.

By including current contact details on your tag, you’ll also make it simpler for staff to return any lost luggage to you.

Before you board your flight, take a quick photo of your bag. If you have a recent picture of your luggage, staff will have a reference image to help locate it and ensure it’s returned safely.

If your luggage has gone AWOL, it’s important to keep a cool head.

Mike Harvey, the boss at 1st Move International, advised: “The first thing you should do is immediately report the issue to the airline’s baggage claim officer or customer service desk.

“It’s crucial to file a lost baggage report before leaving the airport, as this initiates the tracking process. Usually, baggage will be tagged with your flight information, but just in case you want to give the airline a description, be as thorough as possible.

“Next, check your travel insurance policy for coverage in case of lost or delayed baggage, and keep receipts for any purchases if you have to replace lost items (even if they might be found later). You may be able to claim these costs back.”

A travel enthusiast shared the simple hack she uses to avoid paying for extra luggage on flights

Nobody wants to pay for extra luggage on a flight, and yet passengers often find themselves forking out when they overpack their bags. For many holidaymakers, it’s all too easy to overload a suitcase, especially if you’re travelling in winter, when you need to pack many layers.

From knitted jumpers to padded coats, winter packing involves lots of bulky items. Fortunately, a frequent flyer has shared a ‘simple’ suitcase hack that ‘will change the way you travel’ in winter. Posting on TikTok under the username @ourhappypassports, travel lovers Aishani and Bhavya often post about their holidays, and the couple recently revealed a packing hack ideal for winter.

In a video shared this week, the couple demonstrated how they pack multiple ‘fluffy winter jackets’ in their luggage without paying extra. The caption said: “This simple packing hack will change the way you travel this winter.

“No more sitting on your suitcase, no more paying for extra luggage — just a smart trick that lets you carry multiple jackets without the bulk. Perfect for those chilly Europe or mountain trips where you want options — without dragging another bag.”

In the clip, @ourhappypassports revealed they use a ‘simple’ packing method to compress their coats and save space in their luggage. To use the method, simply roll the bottom of your coat inside out, then tuck the sleeves and hood inside the pouch and fold the rest of the jacket inside as well.

As seen in the video, the folded jacket only takes up half the space you’d otherwise use inside your suitcase. The tip proved popular with social media users. The video racked up over 50k views.

Reacting to the video, one commenter said: “I fold them into the hood or the pocket.” @ourhappypassports replied: “I do that too, but some are too fluffy for that!!” Someone else asked: “Have you tried the compression bags and if so what are your thoughts on it?”

The reply read: “Yup, they crease the jackets too much!!” Nonetheless, compression bags are popular with many travellers. Using packing cubes, storage bags, and similar items can help passengers reduce the size of their luggage, whether they are used for storing jackets or other clothing items.

For travel enthusiasts seeking options, most budget retailers offer a selection of travel accessories. For instance, Home Bargains stocks a £4.99 TravelShop Travel Cubes Pack Of 3.

The product description states: “These travel cubes are rectangular-shaped fabric containers that help keep clothes and other travel essentials neatly packed and easily accessible during trips.

“The pack of 3 contains three individual travel cubes. Each cube comes in a different size, allowing you to separate and organise different types of items within your suitcase or travel bag.”

When it comes to packing for a winter getaway, it can be tough to fit all of your bulky clothes into a small suitcase – but there’s a simple hack that will help you maximise space.

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of a winter city break. Cities such as Berlin, Copenhagen and Vienna truly come to life during the festive season, and many of these destinations offer affordable flights too.

If you’re only jetting off for a long weekend, you likely won’t need a large suitcase. However, packing bulky winter clothes into a small bag can be a challenge.

To help travellers, experts have shared a simple technique that allows you to fit much more into your luggage – and it’s not the rolling packing method.

Essentials like coats, knitted jumpers and chunky boots are all must-haves for a winter getaway, but with limited packing space, it’s not always feasible to bring everything you desire.

However, travel PR gurus at Pure Digital PR have shared some of their top packing hacks that they swear by to maximise space and minimise stress – and topping the list is vacuum packing, reports the Express.

This straightforward trick removes the air from clothes, significantly reducing their size and creating extra room for those essential winter items.

The method can shrink the volume of bulky items like fleeces and padded jackets by up to 50 per cent, meaning you can pack twice the amount without forking out for additional charges for checked baggage.

Another game-changer is investing in packing cubes, which help organise your luggage into tidy, compressed sections.

The travel expert said: “We recommend colour-coding your cubes, one for tops, another for bottoms, and a separate one for accessories, making it easy to find what you need without unpacking your entire suitcase.”

This approach works particularly well for families travelling together, as each member can have their own colour-coded system.

The experts also highlighted the importance of selecting versatile items you pack, choosing clothes with multiple functions that can be mixed and matched.

The expert added: “A versatile black jumper can be dressed up for dinner or worn casually during the day, while a quality jacket that’s both waterproof and warm eliminates the need for multiple coats.

“Choosing a neutral colour palette also means fewer items overall, as everything coordinates seamlessly.”

Finally, wearing your bulkiest clothing during travel rather than packing them can free up considerable suitcase space. Make sure to wear your heaviest boots and thickest coat for the flight or journey, even if you feel slightly warm at the airport.