How to Get Your Luggage First at Baggage Claim

Jun 29

You have been there right?! Scrolling your phone and everyone around the carousel is super annoyed that their baggage isn’t out yet. Or that panic feeling of, “What if they lost my luggage?!” Wanna know the strategy behind near getting annoyed post-flight again?! Here is how to get your luggage first at baggage claim.

Tip #1: Place a fragile sticker on top of your luggage. In some airports, the luggage handlers will take extra precaution with bags labeled fragile and some may take it as a challenge to see how far they can YEET it. Worth asking your ticket counter attended for one just in case it helps it be added to the stack last. Increasing the chances it would be first out the gate.

Tip #2: Check your bags last. The way they load the luggage buggies is from first to last checked. It makes sense that your luggage would be first on the belt if it is last out of the plane, because to would be on the first loaded into the plane and last unloaded. You can kindly ask the ticket counter if you can gate check as well to increase chances to get luggage first!

Tip #3: Have priority status or fly business + first class. Priority bagged services are complimentary with the more expensive ticket options as upgrades. Just make sure the agent marks your luggage priority when checking it and boom, you’re a VIP. How does it feel to live someone else’s dream?

Now these may not be exact science behind hot to get your luggage first at baggage claim but it’s worth a shot. The best method of keepings tabs on your luggage as it goes through the airport is with AirTags or Tiles. I use these in every single one of my travel bags, including in the hidden pocket of my Royce and Rocket Castle Classic. And if you are team carry on, that is the only way you’ll be 100% sure to bypass bagagge claim. Are you team checked bag or team carry on?!