The beauty of checked luggage is obviously that you can wave goodbye to it – and carrying it around – while you’re in the air.
However, one expert has warned that with lost luggage a common occurrence, there are a few items that you should keep with you in your cabin bags.
In a TikTok, savvy traveller brand @thepointsguy shared exactly which items will cause the maximum amount of inconvenience if they end up going AWOL for a while should your case get lost.
Discussing the items tourists should ‘never put in your checked bag, regardless of how short your flight is’, he said prescription medicine was an absolute no-no.
He explained: ‘You may be able to get a doctor to call in your prescription, but that becomes trickier if it’s a weekend or a holiday or if your medication doesn’t allow for refills before the previous prescription runs out.’
Elsewhere, the expert said that expensive electrical items should also stay close to you – because they’re much more vulnerable to theft.
While the vast majority of airport workers are honest, there is a risk that they may open a case to identify its owner – putting items such as games consoles, mobile phones or laptops and tablets at risk.
Indeed it’s a case of ditto for any expensive personal item of jewellery too.
Keep these items close: The Points Guy says there’s certain items – particularly prescription medicines – that you should keep with you while on a plane
Keeping precious rings and necklaces tucked away in the hold may seem like a good idea but they are amongst the first things that are likely to be targeted if the bag falls into the wrong hands.
Wads of holiday money should stay on your person, if possible, the travel TikToker adds.
He explained that: ‘Everything important goes into my carry-on. Meds, contacts, electronics in particular.’
But also the items that will make you feel human again after 11 hours in the air, including toiletries, a change of clothes and the things you’ll need to hand easily when you reach your accommodation – such as sunscreen and plug adapters.
Last month, it was revealed that holidaymakers may soon avoid the frustration of paying extra fees for carry-on luggage at the boarding gate – thanks to proposed changes in EU airline rules.
The EU Parliament transport committee has approved new regulations that would grant all passengers the right to carry a handbag or small suitcase weighing up to 7kg at no extra cost.
Under the amendment, passengers would be allowed one cabin bag with dimensions measuring up to 100cm, in addition to a smaller personal item that fits under the seat.
This proposal could significantly impact budget airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air, which currently charge extra for larger cabin baggage.
It may feel like a short-term win to put everything in your case in the hold, but if it gets lost your personal items – such as cash and jewellery – could be vulnerable to theft
If implemented, the rule would apply not only to domestic EU flights but also to international flights connecting the EU with non-member countries, including the UK.
For the proposal to become law, it still requires approval from at least 55 per cent of EU member states, representing 65 cent of the total EU population.
However, this process could take time and prompt pushback from national governments and airline lobbies.
Spain has already expressed its approval for the proposed changes – but not everyone is on board.
Airlines for Europe, representing major carriers, warn that the new rules could disrupt operations and ultimately lead to increased ticket prices for passengers – even for those not carrying extra luggage.
Managing director Ourania Georgoutsakou told Politico that the European Parliament should ‘let travellers decide what services they want, what services they pay for and, importantly, what services they don’t.’
Ahead of Tuesday’s vote, the group contacted EU transport committee members, stressing practical and logistical challenges airlines would face.
They pointed out that although many aircraft carry up to 180 passengers, the overhead compartments can only accommodate about 90 trolley-sized bags.
The industry body argues that requiring free carry-on luggage could cause boarding delays and overcrowding, and that travellers should retain the flexibility to select and pay for only the services they require.
