Stolen Luggage

[DominicAUS]

1 hour ago, BirdTravels said:

Hmmmm. I differ to your expertise. I only fly 3-4 R/T per month and 200,000 - 300,000 miles a year. I almost always check a bag because we are allowed 3 bags each up to 70 lbs each for free. And “know” the rules and questions that I will be asked. We almost always fly first class because the airlines give us free upgrades. Because of our status, we have a lifetime membership to the airline lounges, so like the Haven, we avoid the general population. 

That wasn’t the answer to the question and if you fly that much you’d know that airlines don’t require personal luggage tags to accept checked luggage but thanks for letting us all know you fly up the front, you forgot to add about the boutique hotels you stay in too that you love to tell people!
 

I’ve been flying since my family moved us to Australia to Europe twice a year, always up the front and worked in travel for 30 plus years. So I’m pretty well versed in travel and your information again was incorrect 

Edited March 15 by DominicAUS

[DominicAUS]

32 minutes ago, G-DawgMN said:

 I know Delta has a bin of paper tags at the luggage check in but I don’t know if they require them. 

No airline requires a personal luggage tag, technology has rapidly moved on. Seems bird is stuck in past when travelling.
 

Just ask her, she know all the answers to the questions they ask……to which none of the questions will be do you have a luggage tag  😝 

[rbelshaw]

On 3/14/2024 at 7:56 AM, RocketMan275 said:

There was a time,  years ago, when the ticket agents did check to ensure name tags were on all checked bags.

I am old enough to remember when this was the case. I do not recall being told the ID tags were required, but the agents did look and if there was no tag, they handed you one and a pen. This was probably on SW and/or PSA. I also remember a brief period when the bag claim check tickets were actually checked before you left the baggage area. This was, to the best of my recollection, at SFO and LAX.

Oh - and gentlemen did wear ties on flights.

[Wayward Son]

3 hours ago, DominicAUS said:

Just ask her, she know all the answers to the questions they ask……to which none of the questions will be do you have a luggage tag  😝 

 

I think I need to pay more (or less) attention to this bird person.

 

[Travelling2Some]

On 3/14/2024 at 1:32 AM, gizfish said:

Instead of putting your home address in you luggage, just stick a business card in it.  Your contact info is there, and your personal info is not.

That's what we used to do - use my husband's office address.  Now that we are retired we just put a card inside with our name and phone number.  I would never use my home address because my home is NOT empty just because the two of us are away.  Other family members are still in the house when we are away and this could put them in danger.

 

We almost always travel carry-on only anyway but you can get gate checked so I still include the cards.  I would also never buy expensive brands of checked luggage since I think they are likely to attract thieves. Our big suitcase is straight out of Walmart, lol.

[brad0576]

On 3/10/2024 at 10:19 AM, BoatSkipper said:

We have id in and outside the bag.  NCL take control of the luggage the night before so they do have a duty of care.  It is the fact they will not talk to you post cruise that is annoying.  If course we reported to the police and yes we have insurance,  it is NCLs unwillingness to even have a discussion that is annoying. 

There is no duty of care as you chose to give them your bags as opposed to self disembark.

 

What is there for them to discuss?  there is no benefit for you or them to talk about it other than you might want to vent- I’d rather not have them waste the labor on that

[PATRLR]

On 3/12/2024 at 6:36 PM, BirdTravels said:

The straps are o.k. so long as they are tightly secured. The bows, on the other hand, pose the risk of getting caught in airport high speed baggage handling equipment maybe resulting in the handles being ripped off. 

Really?  A decorative bow is stronger than the handle itself?  That would have to be the case for the handle to get ripped off - the handle (or its connection to the bag) would have to be the weak link.  smh.

On 3/14/2024 at 1:32 AM, gizfish said:

Instead of putting your home address in you luggage, just stick a business card in it.  Your contact info is there, and your personal info is not.

Do people still use business cards?  I know I have some in my desk somewhere, but I haven't carried nor received any in many years.  

On 3/14/2024 at 10:56 AM, RocketMan275 said:

There was a time,  years ago, when the ticket agents did check to ensure name tags were on all checked bags.

Agreed.  And as someone who for years didn't have any hanging tags I was asked to add one many times because my case at the time had a little sleeve on the back for contact information.

I seem to recall there used to be a sign somewhere that said all bags had to have a name tag (or something like that).

 

 

Edited March 16 by PATRLR

[PATRLR]

11 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

We almost always fly first class because the airlines give us free upgrades.

You must be incredibly lucky to almost always get upgraded.  All one has to do is spend some time in places like FlyerTalk to see how difficult it is to score upgrades, even for the most elite of travellers.  Back in my heavy travel days (UA 1K+) doing similar volume as you claim, my upgrade success rate was at best 50% and with credit cards now allowing any old Ma and Pa Kettle elite status, all reports are it's even more difficult.  After a few years of minimal biz trave (so no status), last year I managed to make PremPlat on UA/  I've got some flights coming up soon and I have zero expectation of getting an upgrade and I know there will be plenty of 1Ks ahead of me who won't get upgraded either.

Unless you are something like Global Services (on UA - but all the major lines have similar), I highly doubt you are almost always getting free upgrades and if you are GS, you are GS because you are likely buying F seats outright.

Edited March 16 by PATRLR

[DominicAUS]

3 hours ago, PATRLR said:

You must be incredibly lucky to almost always get upgraded.  All one has to do is spend some time in places like FlyerTalk to see how difficult it is to score upgrades, even for the most elite of travellers.  Back in my heavy travel days (UA 1K+) doing similar volume as you claim, my upgrade success rate was at best 50% and with credit cards now allowing any old Ma and Pa Kettle elite status, all reports are it's even more difficult.  After a few years of minimal biz trave (so no status), last year I managed to make PremPlat on UA/  I've got some flights coming up soon and I have zero expectation of getting an upgrade and I know there will be plenty of 1Ks ahead of me who won't get upgraded either.

Unless you are something like Global Services (on UA - but all the major lines have similar), I highly doubt you are almost always getting free upgrades and if you are GS, you are GS because you are likely buying F seats outright.

When someone has to tell you their status or how much they fly and lifetime lounge status.  Blah blah blah. But then they can’t even give the correct information, about basic travel requirements. Lesson learn, don’t all believe what you read in the internet as @BirdTravels who tells us all about their travels and still thinks airlines need a baggage tag,  sweetie technology has moved faster than you. You do you and tell us all your travel stories and love that you give my eyes a workout rolling when you can’t give basic correct advice. 

 

 

[cassie55]

On 3/14/2024 at 2:56 PM, RocketMan275 said:

There was a time,  years ago, when the ticket agents did check to ensure name tags were on all checked bags.

I worked as a check in agent, then supervisor then manager between 1987 and 2001 and never did this.  

 

I'm still in the airline industry although not in an operational job now and it is not a requirement.  

Edited March 16 by cassie55

[RocketMan275]

15 minutes ago, cassie55 said:

I worked as a check in agent, then supervisor then manager between 1987 and 2001 and never did this.  

 

I'm still in the airline industry although not in an operational job now and it is not a requirement.  

Don't doubt this a bit. Evidently, things have changed.  it used to be  requirement.

[PartyPlannerLady]

On 3/14/2024 at 12:59 PM, laudergayle said:

Lol…agreed.  For us it is a little laugh, but I will say the tag/luggage combo does create a more unique bag.  

Agreed that between the particular bag design and the tag. your luggage is more easily identified, but there is no such t5hing as "more unique".  Unique means 'one of a kind'.  Something is either unique or it is nor!  There are no degrees of uniqueness. Being a teacher for many years (my poor vision and lack of typing skils aside), hearing folks say 'more unique' drives me nuts.  LOL.  All just me having fun being an ex-teacher.  Not meaning to give you a hard time.  Whew now I feel better! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Enjoy your cruise!!!

[UKstages]

7 hours ago, PATRLR said:

Unless you are something like Global Services (on UA - but all the major lines have similar), I highly doubt you are almost always getting free upgrades and if you are GS, you are GS because you are likely buying F seats outright.

 

on AA, it's "concierge key." on united, you are correct, it's "global services." and, yes, these folks almost always get upgraded, within a 72 hour window, not 48 hours and not within 24 hours. most folks are unaware because, by the time the upgrade list is published, these folks have already been upgraded.

 

they receive other special services, as well. in my opinion, the most valuable benefit is the ability to use upgrade "coupons" on award travel. i once booked a free ticket to london in coach for 40K or 50K miles, received my advance upgrade to business using a virtual coupon, and then was upgraded to first at the gate. when i had GS status on united (for about a decade, up through and including three years post-pandemic), and i had a tight connection, they would meet me at the aircraft door with a sign with my name on it, escort me down to the tarmac and put me in a late model mercedes SUV and drive me to my next plane. if i didn't have a tight connection, they'd bring me to the lounge. (for the record, i only bought business class tickets on international flights, domestic flights were strictly purchased in coach and i would put my GS domestic upgrade percentage at something like 85%.)

 

membership status is based on spend, and there are no published criteria for the program, but savvy flyers believe super premium preferred elite status such as this begins at 50K spend per year. and, yes, it's mostly from folks spending other people's money... business travel. in my case, i achieved status with just six or seven roundtrip business class journeys to asia each year and a few transcontinental trips.

 

so, yes, indeed, there are super premium preferred elite status flyers and they really do get upgraded on almost every flight. whether the bird falls in this category, i couldn't tell you. there is also a halo... if your business travel career is long enough, and you have earned enough "lifetime" miles or hotel guest points, for that matter, you will actually be given the status in most programs for the rest of your life, even as your travel and level of spend declines. i have lifetime status in hilton, marriot and AA. (sadly, not with UA, which, ironically is where most of my lielage is these days.) so, it is possible that the bird and company are in this category.

 

the bird also alludes to personal connections in the travel industry, with friendships and acquaintanceships with key players (GMs and such) onboard NCL ships. it is possible her reach extends beyond NCL and she has connections at one or more airlines and is able to secure upgrades through them. while i find many of the bird's unwavering and unilateral opinions laughable, particularly when it comes to the NCL's vibe, i have seen no reason - yet - to disbelieve her upgrade claims. 

[Distinctive-Destinations]

I’m executive platinum with American and have been upgraded for free many times. 
 

Even despite not using luggage tags!

[PATRLR]

4 hours ago, UKstages said:

i would put my GS domestic upgrade percentage at something like 85%.

That statement alone speaks volumes to just how difficult it is for elites to score upgrades.

 

4 hours ago, UKstages said:

i have seen no reason - yet - to disbelieve her upgrade claims. 

Keep in mind that I only took exception to the "almost always" part of her statement.  I don't doubt that she frequently rides up front courtesy of various complimentary instruments, I'm just not aware of anyone, outside of GS, that would claim "almost always".  And I doubt Bird is GS because she would have told us.

[Catchum]

Never had any confusion over our bags they all look like this

[ontheweb]

I find it interesting that even though you get a baggage claim check when your baggage is tagged, no one at the airport ever checks them against the baggage people are leaving with.

[Distinctive-Destinations]

28 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

I find it interesting that even though you get a baggage claim check when your baggage is tagged, no one at the airport ever checks them against the baggage people are leaving with.

I’ve been checked before, although it has been mostly abroad.

 

At least once or twice in Miami.

[G-DawgMN]

9 hours ago, Distinctive-Destinations said:

I’m executive platinum with American and have been upgraded for free many times. 
 

Even despite not using luggage tags!

 Imagine the upgrades you would get if you used luggage tags!

[ontheweb]

11 hours ago, Distinctive-Destinations said:

I’ve been checked before, although it has been mostly abroad.

 

At least once or twice in Miami.

I guess never is not right, but would you agree it is rare?

[Distinctive-Destinations]

32 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

I guess never is not right, but would you agree it is rare?

As a whole yes. Might depend on the risk level of the airport.

[ontheweb]

3 hours ago, Distinctive-Destinations said:

As a whole yes. Might depend on the risk level of the airport.

We have never had our luggage receipts checked. We have been in the 3 major NY area airports, Heathrow, the airport in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Montreal, Fort Lauderdale, Seatle, Rome, Reykjavik, various airports in Peru, and maybe others I can't think of off the top pf my head.

[Distinctive-Destinations]

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

We have never had our luggage receipts checked. We have been in the 3 major NY area airports, Heathrow, the airport in Paris, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Montreal, Fort Lauderdale, Seatle, Rome, Reykjavik, various airports in Peru, and maybe others I can't think of off the top pf my head.

I know at least one time for me was in Miami. I think twice.

 

I’m going to say another time was Madrid.

 

Another I am absolutely sure of was Las Vegas but that was likely because I had checked firearms. 

[ontheweb]

26 minutes ago, Distinctive-Destinations said:

I know at least one time for me was in Miami. I think twice.

 

I’m going to say another time was Madrid.

 

Another I am absolutely sure of was Las Vegas but that was likely because I had checked firearms. 

The only time I was in the Miami airport was a family trip over 60 years ago,

 

As for Madrid, we were actually there once but it was just a layover from Barcelona.

 

And we have never been to or likely will ever be in Las Vegas, just not our style.

[Distinctive-Destinations]

Just now, ontheweb said:

The only time I was in the Miami airport was a family trip over 60 years ago,

 

As for Madrid, we were actually there once but it was just a layover from Barcelona.

 

And we have never been to or likely will ever be in Las Vegas, just not our style.

I used to do a lot of solo travel and that might be a factor. A single guy coming from Central or South America into Miami probably looks a tad suspicious. Miami is a pretty lousy airport, notably the customs section.

 

Vegas isn’t mine either. You aren’t missing anything there, but I would say there is great stuff NEAR Vegas to explore, such as the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. But I’d be perfectly fine never going to Vegas again. Some people love it, not me. The Strip is kind of neat to drive up…once.