The next time you're checking a bag in for a flight, add this action to your airport checklist.
A viral video is advising travellers to always take a photograph or video of their luggage before a flight.
Why? Because this footage can be used as evidence if you need to make an insurance claim over damaged or missing luggage.
Not only that, but it can help the airport's lost and found team to help track down your missing bags.
The video was shared on TikTok by Robin Taylor, a globetrotting influencer and registered nurse based in Las Vegas.
In the clip, which has 2.4million views and 135,000 likes to date, Robin spins the camera around each side of her khaki-coloured suitcase in the airport, telling her followers: 'I always record my luggage when I'm in line to check it at the airport... just in case, for evidence. It's saved me twice.'
She elaborated on why it was so important in the comment section, revealing that taking a video 'saves a lot of trouble down the road' if your bags get damaged or disappear, as it can be successfully used as evidence of 'damage that wasn’t there before it went into the care of the airline'.
Other TikTok users were quick to agree with Robin's advice, with TikToker 'Rae' writing: 'As a former “baggage lost and found” attendant, please do. It’s smart and it also helps us a lot.'
User 'Rizz' said: 'I sell suitcases and always will inform customers to take photos/videos for evidence in case of damage on their belongings.'
One person, user Sara Esbensen, wrote: 'I did that too last year and it saved me... my luggage went missing for five days so the video I took was very helpful!'
Others lamented the fact that they hadn't learnt the trick sooner, with user 'Meery' writing: 'Wish I saw this TikTok two weeks ago, before I lost my bags.'
User 'Just Ams' weighed in: 'I do this every time now after my luggage was stolen and the insurance asked me for a picture of my bag.'
And user 'kyumyjp' said: 'Learnt this the hard way.... because my luggage is broken but I can't claim [because I have] no evidence.'
Speaking to MailOnline Travel, Angela Dove, travel insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, seconded Robin's advice. She said: 'It’s always worthwhile taking photos of your belongings before you travel as this will help identify your luggage in the event of it being lost or stolen. Before and after photos also provide your insurer with evidence of the extent of damage caused in transit.'
Dove stresses that it's also important to snap another picture when you land.
She said: 'Airlines take responsibility for your luggage whilst on board the flight, so it is worth taking photos of your luggage at baggage reclaim before it is out of your possession again and in transit on the next stage of your trip. This will help outline when and where any damage, loss or theft occurred when evidencing your claim.'
MoneySuperMarket notes that basic baggage insurance is typically included as standard with a travel insurance policy that covers for loss, damage or theft.
You don't need to wait until Amazon Prime Day 2023 to score a great deal on new luggage for your summer vacations. Amazon is currently offering a ton of deals on bestselling luggage and travel essentials.
There's never been a better time to get a great deal on a new piece or set of luggage, packing cubes, backpacks and other gear, especially if you've got a trip coming up. We found unbeatable deals on highly rated items from some of the most popular luggage brands on Amazon, including Samsonite, American Tourister and Herschel.
Want to save even more money on your early Prime Day purchase? Amazon is offering free cash that you can claim right now and put towards your next piece of luggage.
From check-in and carry-on spinner suitcases to fanny packs, duffel bags and a majorly marked down set of TSA-approved toiletry bottles, we selected some great items to simplify your travels and help you stay organized. Shop our selection of the best Amazon luggage and travel essentials below.
The best early Prime Day luggage deals on Amazon
These luggage essentials are all on sale at Amazon right now.
Amazon slashed the price of this top-rated luggage set by 58%. This Rockland Fashion expandable softside upright luggage set includes a tote bag and a carry-on for just $40. The set features a 4.4-star rating with almost 60,000 reviews on Amazon.
At only $40, this is quite a steal. But hurry, Amazon's top luggage deals have been selling out quickly lately.
Amazon is offering a crazy good deal right now on this Rockland Journey softside upright luggage set. For under $100, you can get this four-piece luggage set complete with a carry-on, a 24-inch upright suitcase, a 28-inch upright suitcase and a tote.
All four luggage pieces are made with heavy duty polyester and PVC backing for enhanced durability. Many reviewers on Amazon noted that the luggage set felt much higher quality than anticipated for the price.
"I'm amazed at the quality of this luggage," wrote one Amazon reviewer. "For the price, I expected something [just] good enough to get me through my cruise. Not so! The bags will last years."
Pricing varies by color. Right now you'll get the best deal on the gray or blue color ways.
Amazon is currently offering an unbeatable deal on this top-rated check-in from Samsonite. The 28-inch Samsonite Winfield 2 has garnered over 19,000 positive reviews on Amazon with buyers praising its durability, sleek appearance and smooth rolling.
This suitcase comes with multi-directional spinner wheels for effortless mobility. It's also expandable to help you pack everything you need for your next trip.
The Samsonite Winfield 2 check-in is currently 30% off on Amazon. It comes in 14 colors. Prices vary by color.
Packing for a family trip can be tricky, but the Samsonite Freeform can make the chore a whole lot easier. The large and durable polycarbonate piece of check-in luggage is extra roomy, and sports multiple pockets and compartments for organizing belongings. It also features four, multidirectional double spinner wheels and a recessed TSA-approved combination lock. Prices vary by color.
On the hunt for the perfect luggage set for all your summer travel? Rockland makes one of the bestselling sets on Amazon. Made out of ABS, a lightweight and durable plastic, the set includes a carry-on and checked suitcase. Both pieces feature multidirectional double spinner wheels with telescoping handles, along with interior zip and mesh pockets.
With faux-leather accents and rounded edges, the Delsey Paris Chatelet makes the perfect international travel companion. Constructed out of polycarbonate, the durable but lightweight suitcase boasts tons of great features, including multidirectional double spinner wheels, a USB port for charging electronics, a recessed TSA-approved lock and an ergonomic handle. The suitcase also comes equipped with laundry and shoe bags, as well as mesh-zippered pockets. Currently, you can get the navy blue small carry-on for 33% off on Amazon.
The bestselling Samsonite luggage on Amazon, the Samsonite Winfield style carry-on weighs a little under seven pounds and offers a roomy interior. Other features of this hard-shelled luggage include four-directional multi-spin wheels, a TSA-compatible lock and a retractable telescope handle.
Samsonite Ascella X softside expandable two-piece luggage set: $178
Amazon
The Samsonite Ascella X collection goes on sale on Amazon less frequently than many of the above Samsonite luggage options, but right now you can score an incredible deal on this luggage set. The set includes a 21-inch carry-on spinner and a 25-inch check-in spinner bag. Each spinner features durable materials and a 10-year warranty. They also have a Wetpak compartment designed for damp clothing.
Samsonite Omni 2 hardside expandable luggage: $142
Amazon
The Samsonite Omni 2 luggage combines scratch-resistant textures with lightweight, polycarbonate construction for long-lasting durability. This 28-inch expandable Omni 2 checked bag is currently 45% off with Amazon Prime.
American Tourister Airconic hardside expandable luggage set: $168
Amazon
This American Tourister Airconic set includes carry-on spinner and medium spinner. The luggage pieces offer a sleek a contemporary design on a hard polypropolene shell. Both spinners include a front zip pocket for laptop storage and a TSA approved lock.
Amazon Prime members can score the two-piece luggage set for 30% off now.
American Tourister 4 Kix 2.0 softside expandable luggage set: $161
Amazon
This two piece luggage set include a carry-on and a large checked bag. Both are made with rugged polyester with a carbon fiber trim. The luggage is designed for smooth handling and stability with wear and tear tested ball wheels and a convenient handle.
American Tourister Stratum 2.0 hardside three-piece luggage set: $198
Amazon
If you're an Amazon Prime subscriber, you can score this three-piece 4.6-star luggage set for 43% off right now with this early Prime Day 2023 deal.
The set includes a compact 20-inch carry-on, a 24-inch medium spinner and a 28-inch large spinner. Each piece features an ABS hard shell, easy-to-maneuver spinner wheels and convenient mesh pockets.
American Tourister Whim softside two-piece luggage set: $181
Amazon
Save over $100 on this soft sided American Tourister luggage set now ahead of Prime Day. The set includes a carry-on and a medium spinner.
Each suitcase comes with a removable laundry bag, a wet pack pocket and a shoe pocket. The suitcases feature American Tourist's RightHeight handle system with multi-stop adjustments so that you can adjust it to your liking.
With Amazon Prime, you can score this set for 38% off.
If your summer trip is to the most magical place on Earth, you need to check out this 21-inch Minnie Mouse suitcase by American Tourister.
This Disney hotel essential is rated 4.8 stars on Amazon. Says one reviewer: "Being a lover of all things Disney, I knew I had to get this the moment I saw it! It is exquisitely made with special attention to detail. The graphics are sharp and I receive compliments everywhere I go."
With lots of interior zipper pocket and compartments, including a wet pocket for your toiletries, this clever duffel makes the perfect travel companion. Constructed out of a high density water-resistant material, the overnight or weekend bag keeps your clothes dry and belongings safe. Other great features include a padded pocket for your laptop, a separate wet bag for dirty clothes and an adjustable strap, allowing over the shoulder or cross body wear.
Large toiletry items, like shampoo bottles, take up a lot of precious suitcase space. Skip the hassle, and invest instead in TSA-approved travel containers. When you use these containers to tote your essential liquids, you'll free up room in your checked suitcase and at the same time stay under the mandatory liquid limits for carry-ons. The set even comes with a funnel to make filling the bottles a breeze.
When you're traveling, a sturdy, roomy backpack doubles as an essential carry-on and carry-all. This backpack is 16-inches tall -- that's large enough to fit most laptops, tablets and any other personal belongings. The zippers are covered by thick, water-resistant flaps, making it that much harder for water -- and pickpockets -- to get in.
The Fjallraven Kanken backpack is available in 39 colorways on Amazon (prices vary), so it's easy to find one to match your style.
This pack of travel bags includes six medium- and six large-sized compression bags. The bags are designed to help save you up to 80% of space in your carry-on or checked luggage. Fill a bag with clothes, seal the bag with the zipper, and then slowly roll up the bag to compress the packed clothes.
Travel in comfort with this premium travel pillow from Cabeau. With dual-density memory foam, the Cabeau Evolution provides the perfect balance between support and comfort. The pillow also features a cooling design with side vents that let heat escape, making it perfect for summer travel.
Are the above suitcases not quite right for you? No worries -- your friends at CBS Essentials have compiled a number of luggage roundups designed to help you shop for your next bag or suitcase. Check out our luggage coverage here:
The best early Amazon Prime Day 2023 deals to shop now
Kaylyn McKenna is an expert on deals, travel, luggage, home and more for CBS Essentials. When she's not scouring the internet for the best deals on new luggage or robot vacuums, she spends time with her goldendoodle, Harley, our resident canine correspondent and dog treat expert.
Travelers wait at Newark Liberty International Airport.Jeenah Moon / Stringer / Getty
Passengers stranded in Newark airport resorted to sleeping on tables and luggage carts.
The airport has seen hundreds of flights canceled and delayed because of a storm.
Passengers have been left in a state of limbo with some struggling to receive their bags.
Passengers stranded in Newark airport resorted to sleeping on tables and luggage carts after flights were canceled over the weekend, CBS News reported.
The airport has been at the center of travel chaos after a storm affected hundreds of flights and left passengers camping at the airport, which is still dealing with the disruption.
One passenger told the news outlet: "We've slept on a little bit of everything. This is the comfiest I've slept on all night. I've slept on the floor. I tried sleeping on the terrible chairs, the carpet. I actually didn't mind the carpet."
Representatives for Newark Airport did not immediately return Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours.
Passengers have reportedly been left in a state of limbo amid the delays, with reports that some are even struggling to retrieve their bags and leave the airport.
A United Airlines passenger posted a video on Twitter that appeared to show the chaos and said people were unable to pick up their luggage. "The staff keep shouting no retrievals," the Twitter user said in the video caption.
A representative for United Airlines told Insider: "Several consecutive days of severe weather and lingering thunderstorms in the Northeast, combined with FAA staffing constraints over the weekend, have resulted in a tough operating environment, especially for our customers flying in and out of the New York area."
"As we focus on helping our customers whose travel has been disrupted over the last few days, we're also planning ahead to be ready for the upcoming holiday weekend," they continued.
One United Airlines passenger, Margo Osborne, previously told Insider she was forced to drive hundreds of miles and take another flight in an attempt to meet their bags after they were flown to New Orleans. Per the Insider report, Osborne said the airline told her, however, that no one could retrieve their bags.
Everyone has an agenda for Amazon Prime Day 2023 (headed to you on July 11 at 3 a.m. EDT). You can read all about the two-day sale here, but if your plan is to scoop up a boatload of travel essentials on sale for your next vacay (think: luggage, passport holders and packing cubes), then you're in luck. Early Amazon Prime Day deals are already upon us, so you can take your pick of the best luggage sets on sale right this minute. (You know, before the virtual crowd beats you to it later.) Just be sure to sign up now for a free 30-day trial for Amazon Prime to begin your shopping as early as today.
Here's a taste of what you'll find on sale now: For starters, the Samsonite Freeform luggage set is currently going for 43 percent off with Prime and will be the first to sell out. (P.S. It comes with a *ten* year warranty.) Then there's the Delsey Paris Chatelet set for $90 off, which screams quiet luxury with a look so sophisticated and sleek you'll effortlessly fly under the radar.
Like we said, all the luggage you want to buy is in stock and on sale now, so you know what to do. To get you started, here are seven unbeatable deals to hop on faster than you can get through security.
Flight issues at Newark airport forced one passenger to drive miles and fly to look for their bags.
Hundreds of flights, mostly from United, were delayed and canceled, leaving passengers stranded.
One passenger told Insider they were stuck at the airport for two-and-a-half days.
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Travel chaos unfolded at Newark Liberty International Airport this weekend, forcing one passenger to drive hundreds of miles and take another flight to meet their bags — and she still didn't get her luggage.
As hundreds of flights were canceled and delayed at Newark, leaving thousands stuck waiting to retrieve their bags or travel to their destinations, Margo Osborne found herself with no choice but to drive and fly to meet her bag in New Orleans.
Osborne said United Airlines told her "no one could retrieve their bags," even if passengers needed important medicine or equipment stored in their luggage. According to Osborne, United said they put her bags on a flight to New Orleans, prompting Osborne to drive to Charlotte, North Carolina, and fly to Louisiana to meet her bags.
But when Osborne arrived in New Orleans, she was shocked: Her bags weren't there.
"Now, people are tweeting that bags are just sitting out at Newark! It's insanity!" she said.
Across Twitter, similar situations have sprouted up — passengers camping out, travelers unable to retrieve their luggage, and complaints about United's customer service.
In a statement to Insider, United said: "Recurring thunderstorms in the Northeast have made airline operations very challenging for the past three days, especially at the New York-area airports."
"We know our customers are eager to get to their destinations," the airline added. "Our teams at airports and our contact centers have been working significant overtime to restore the reliability our customers depend on."
Another United passenger, Claude Ronnie Msowoya, tweeted a video showing thousands of travelers waiting in an hours-long line at Newark to get their luggage and leave.
Msowoya told Insider they were stuck in the airport for two-and-a-half days waiting for their flight to South Africa and accused Newark and United of not providing accommodations or meal vouchers.
CBS Essentials readers love Samsonite luggage for its durable and high-quality travel bags. Whether you're looking for a new expandable model or a spinner suitcase, we found the best deals on top-rated Samsonite luggage ahead of Amazon Prime Day 2023.
Unlike some brands that only cater to a specific budget or type of suitcase (polycarbonate or soft-shell), Samsonite offers a wide range of luggage options and price points. Some Samsonite designs cater to sophisticated business travelers, while others offer a more fun and casual look and feel. Samsonite even offers several styles made with recycled materials for eco-conscious travelers.
Samsonite gives you more bang for your buck. Even the most budget-friendly Samsonite options are equipped with essential features such as retractable handles and spinner wheels. If you're willing to pay more, you can get more high-end features -- think integrated Apple AirTags, LED lights and USB ports for charging your phone on the go.
We've rounded up the best deals on Samsonite suitcase deals to upgrade your travel this summer.
28" Samsonite Winfield 2: $183
Amazon
The updated 28-inch Samsonite Winfield 2 has garnered over 19,000 positive reviews on Amazon, with buyers praising its durability, sleek appearance and smooth rolling.
This suitcase comes with multi-directional spinner wheels for effortless mobility. It's also expandable to help you pack everything you need for your next trip.
The Samsonite Winfield 2 comes in 14 colors. Prices vary by color.
Amazon Prime subscribers can also access a special deal on the 3-piece Samsonsite Centric 2 luggage set that includes the medium spinner along with a carry-on and a larger 28-inch spinner.
With more than 15,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating, the budget-friendly, hard-shelled Samsonite Winfield 20" carry-on offers lots of value. Weighing a little less than seven pounds, it's loved by reviewers thanks to its multiple pockets and roomy interior. Other great features include four-directional multi-spin wheels, a TSA-compatible lock and a retractable telescope handle.
The Samsonite Freeform, a large and durable polycarbonate piece of luggage, also wins over Amazon reviewers. Extra roomy with multiple pockets, the hardshell check-in makes organizing a breeze. The luggage, available in multiple sizes and colors, features four multidirectional double spinner wheels and a recessed, TSA-approved combination lock.
Another polycarbonate option, the Samsonite Omni, offers high quality at a reasonable price. Features include TSA-approved side-mounted locks, multidirectional spinner wheels, an interior mesh divider and cross straps.
On Amazon, the Omni is available in two checked-bag sizes, a smaller 24-inch suitcase and a larger 28-inch version, which may fall into the oversized luggage category. It can also be purchased as part of a two- or three-piece set. Prices vary depending on which model or version you select.
The sleek and luxurious Stryde 2 medium glider is on sale now for Amazon Prime members. The interior makes packing and organizing easy, with a removable wet pack and multiple zippered sections. Smooth-gliding dual spinner wheels and a precise handle system make this a premium suitcase worth investing in.
Samsonite Ascella X softside expandable two-piece luggage set: $178
Amazon
The Samsonite Ascella X collection goes on sale on Amazon less frequently than many of the above Samsonite luggage options, but right now you can score an incredible deal on this luggage set. The set includes a 21-inch carry-on spinner and a 25-inch check-in spinner bag. Each spinner features durable materials and a 10-year warranty. They also have a Wetpak compartment designed for damp clothing.
Samsonite Omni 2 hardside expandable luggage: $142
Amazon
The Samsonite Omni 2 luggage combines scratch-resistant textures with lightweight, polycarbonate construction for long-lasting durability. This 28-inch expandable Omni 2 checked bag is currently 45% off with Amazon Prime.
Are the above suitcases not quite right for you? No worries -- your friends at CBS Essentials have compiled a number of luggage roundups designed to help you shop for your next bag or suitcase. Check out our luggage coverage here:
The best early Amazon Prime Day 2023 deals to shop now
Kaylyn McKenna is an expert on deals, travel, luggage, home and more for CBS Essentials. When she's not scouring the internet for the best deals on new luggage or robot vacuums, she spends time with her goldendoodle, Harley, our resident canine correspondent and dog treat expert.
