If you plan to check a bag on your next trip, fair warning: there’s a weird amount of things that can go wrong these days.

(I mean… there’s a reason I so proudly travel carry-on only 90% of the time.)

From outdated practices that put your safety at risk to fancy new products that might actually be counterproductive, this list will be counting down the most surprising and common mistakes that people make when it comes to their checked baggage.

So, read on for how to prevent these mistakes, and avoid silly lil trip ruiners like theft, loss & getting in trouble with airport security.

Mistake #1: Forgetting to research your airlines’ specific restrictions

… or making assumptions based on past travel experiences.

Yes, this is a basic one, but still strangely common, so let’s start there.

Here’s the thing even most seasoned travellers ignore: rules change very quickly these days and keeping up to date can be exhausting even for those who travel often.

So, remember to always look at your airline’s official website to know what you can and can’t check.

Some common things that people mistakenly check when they shouldn’t include…

• Things with a lithium battery 
• Compressed gases
• Certain aerosols 

Mistake #2: Checking a bag in places where you need to reclaim it for connecting flights

Trust me: this is the worst.

While most airlines will check your bag through to your final destination, there are certain airports out there that will force you to reclaim your bag during your layover and check it again…

So, you want to avoid this as much as possible by researching ahead of time to make sure you are NOT checking a bag on a short layover somewhere that you might have to clear customs and get it.

At the very least, this extra step will give you the intel you need to book a longer layover just in case.

I’ve personally had this happen in both Bangkok and Calgary, so be sure to look into it because I do think the rules will depend on the airport and airline you’re flying with.

Mistake #3: Leaving anything valuable or essential inside

These days, I always, always pack any essentials or valuables in my personal item… because you never know when bags will go missing for a bit.

I personally think it’s a good rule of thumb to just assume things will go wrong, which is why I always pack my personal item and checked bag assuming that the checked bag will go missing for a few days.

This means that anything I absolutely need (especially for those first few days of a trip) are in my personal item, like…

• Medicine
• Chargers
• Any important outfits if you’re travelling for an event
• Anything with sentimental or monetary value

A good rule of thumb is this: if you would be devastated that it got lost, then don’t pack it in your checked bag.

NOTE: These days, many airlines are starting to check carry-on bags due to a lack of space, which is why I’d advise putting any essentials in your personal item instead because this is the only thing guaranteed to actually make it on the plane with you.

Mistake #4: Packing all your clothes in your checked bag (with no back-ups)

On a similar note, you want to make sure you have an emergency change of clothes in your personal item / carry-on just in case your checked bag does get lost.

Mistake #5: Packing liquids without any extra safeguards

This is a super common one. Let’s say you’re bringing a big bottle of shampoo, or some skincare in your checked luggage…

The last thing you want to do is have all those liquids spill out or explode due to pressure changes in the plane (or more often) good old fashioned human error.

So, make sure to always leak-proof your liquids as much as possible by putting an extra seal around the bottle/container, separating them in their own waterproof bag just in case.

Mistake #6: Packing fragile items without adequate support

Another huge mistake that people make in their checked bags is failing to pad their fragile items properly.

Trust me – that flimsy tissue paper the gift shop wraps things in will not cut it. You’re going to want to wrap everything in soft items like clothing, and make sure everything is snugly packed with minimal movement and pressure on your fragile goods.

If you’re feeling especially paranoid, many places these days also sell special wraps and products that help you keep your fragile souvenirs (like wine bottles) safe, so it might be worth looking into some of those if you travel often.

Mistake #7: Using up all your luggage allowance

If you want the beautiful privilege of hauling back your many souvenirs, then do not make the mistake of overpacking and using up every bit of your allowance.

This is a common mistake that light packers make, because they try to maximize every bit of their smaller bags, but this leaves absolutely zero room for additional goodies.

So, consider bringing a slightly bigger bag and leaving space for more souvenirs, or potentially nesting a smaller bag within your checked luggage so you can check an additional bag of souvenirs on your way home.

Mistake #8: Writing sensitive info on your luggage tag 

Now, here’s another big mistake that few people consider: putting your personal safety at risk by writing sensitive information on your luggage tags!

Back in the day, people would write all sorts of information directly on their luggage tags, from personal home addresses to full name and phone number. These days, you should definitely be more careful since you know, literally any stranger at the airport could gain access to that information if you’re not careful.

This is why I would personally never write anything on there that I wasn’t comfortable with a stranger knowing e.g. my home address. Instead, I opt for other information like an email address or phone number, since all people really need is a way to contact you… not follow you to your house.

Mistake #9: Forgetting to include contact details inside your bag

Speaking of ways to reach you, another mistake many travellers make is forgetting to include contact details somewhere inside their luggage as well.

I know – this seems unnecessary, but don’t forget: luggage tags can and do fall off, so you want to have a backup plan in case yours does.

Mistake #10: Bringing a checked bag that is too large for you to comfortably carry

Say it with me: you should be able to lift any bag you bring… even checked ones.

All too often, I see people struggling with giant suitcases, whether that’s at the airport, on board trains, or around hotels.

Sure, it’s nice to have a little extra space, but oversized bags can be a huge nuisance when you’re not able to handle them properly, so I find it’s better to just pack things in tighter into a smaller suitcase (using compression packing cubes, etc. to make space) rather than relying on having a massive monstrosity of a bag.

This is especially true because checked bags get stacked on top of each other on the plane so if you have a huge suitcase that’s half empty, it might be at risk of collapsing inwards (or so I’ve heard).

Mistake #11: Neglecting to attach an Airtag or tracker 

I know it seems overly paranoid to have a tracker on your bag, but you can honestly get them for SO cheap these days, and the ease of mind is worth every penny.

Plus, in case your bag does get lost, having tabs on where it is can help airport staff locate it for you.

So yes… definitely worth buying a few!

Mistake #12: Putting your Airtag or tracker somewhere obvious and removable

That said, don’t make the mistake of putting your Airtag somewhere super obvious so thieves know to remove it immediately.

So, instead of those adorable luggage tags these days that include the Airtag on it, I prefer to actually hide it somewhere secret inside my suitcase, usually within a discrete zippered compartment.

This way, thieves won’t necessarily know you have a tracker on it…. until the cops show up at their house! Mwahaha.

Mistake #13: Leaving old stickers and tags on your checked bag from previous trips

I’ve heard that this can confuse the machines and accidentally send your bag to the wrong place… so as cool and worldly as those stickers make your bag look, best to remove any old ones.

Mistake #14: Forgetting a unique identifier of some kind for your checked bag

A lot of suitcases can look the same these days so you want to make yours look unique in some way… or else someone else might take it by accident.

I like to use a distinctive luggage tag as well as a fun luggage strap to make mine visibly different.

Some people also have funny custom suitcases with their faces on them – I say do whatever it takes. 

Mistake #15: Booking a time sensitive transfer to your hotel or accommodation 

One of the biggest drawbacks of checking a bag is that you end up having to wait at baggage claim which is honestly such a crapshoot.

So, keep this in mind and if you do need to pre-book transport, make sure it’s something flexible, or at the very least give yourself some extra time to catch it if needed. 

Mistake #16: Forgetting to take a photo before you check your bags

Having a photo can be really handy in case you ever need to prove that the bag was damaged in transit. It can also be handy for helping staff locate the bag should it get lost, so yes, always a good rule of thumb to get a photo before you check it in.

And when it comes to baggage claim, another huge mistake is…

Mistake #17: Not standing within sight of the bag arrival zone at baggage claim

I’ve always found baggage carousels to be such a weird and lawless free-for-all, but honestly some of you are way too trusting.

Not only can bags get stolen at baggage claim, the more common concern is actually that someone might take your bag by accident, which has happened to me…

So be sure to stand within sight of where the bags are arriving. I don’t mean standing right next to the carousel because that’s obviously super annoying, but having eyes on the arrival zone even form afar can help make sure nobody takes your bag.

Finally, this is a mistake that pretty much everybody makes when they check a bag, and that’s…

Mistake #18: Packing just one suitcase per person instead of spreading your stuff out

As in, I have all my clothes in my suitcase. My boyfriend has all his clothes in HIS suitcase… etc.

99% of travellers pack this way, but the smarter approach would be to split your belongings across suitcases so you are covered in case one of the bags goes missing. 

Did I miss any other checked baggage mistakes?

Let me know in the comments!