AirTags: Track Your Luggage With These Airlines

The Advantages of Using an Apple AirTag for Baggage Tracking

One of the most modern ways to track your baggage in real time is with the AirTag from Apple. This compact, lightweight device uses Apple’s network of devices to track the location of your items. Attached to your luggage, it can give you added peace of mind by tracking your luggage via the « Find My » application on your iPhone. Indeed, what could be better than seeing your luggage tracked as you head for the runway!

How Does AirTag for Baggage Work?

Apple AirTags work by using Bluetooth technology to communicate with nearby Apple devices. If your luggage is lost or delayed, you can view its real-time location directly on your phone. This feature makes it possible to locate your luggage even when it’s at the airport or elsewhere, provided Apple devices are nearby.

Indeed, while AirTags are an interesting solution, it’s important to note a few limitations: AirTags don’t work offline if there’s no Apple device nearby to transmit the location via Bluetooth. What’s more, while AirTags can help you locate your luggage in an airport, they can’t prevent your belongings from being delayed or lost (stolen).

Location Sharing via AirTags

Another interesting feature is the ability to share the location of your luggage. If you’re travelling with other people, you can share the location of your luggage with them, which can be very useful in the event of loss or delay, even if you’re not part of the trip and you’re not with them. This allows you to track your luggage in real time, reducing the anxiety associated with dealing with delays.

Cost of AirTags

On Amazon, Apple AirTags are generally priced at $39.00 for a single unit and $129.00 for a pack of four. However, prices can fluctuate according to current promotions. It’s not uncommon to see them as low as $36.00 for a single AirTag and $98.00 for a pack of four.

To maximize your advantages when purchasing AirTags, we suggest you use a purchasing portal such as the Aeroplan eStore. This portal allows you to earn Aeroplan points for every dollar spent at many online retailers, including Apple and Amazon. For example, during special events such as Black Friday, promotions can earn you up to 10 Aeroplan points per dollar spent.

What’s more, to further maximize your points accumulation, consider adopting the gift card strategy, which can quickly boost your points balance.

Which Airlines Use Apple’s Location Sharing Feature?

Since the introduction of Apple’s third-party object location sharing feature, several major airlines have begun integrating it into their customer service processes. This feature enables passengers to share the location of their baggage in real time with airline teams, making it easier to manage situations involving delayed or lost baggage.

To date, several airlines have adopted this option and now accept location links from Apple’s Find My application. This allows travellers to track the location of their luggage and provide this information directly to airline agents when needed.

Airlines using this technology include:

• Aer Lingus
• Air Canada
• Air New Zealand
• American Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Eurowings
• Iberia
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• Qantas
• Scandinavian Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Turkish Airlines
• United Airlines
• Virgin Atlantic
• Vueling

To share the location of your AirTag-equipped luggage, open the Find My application on your device. Go to the Objects (or Items) tab, select the corresponding AirTag, then use the option to share its location or generate a tracking link. You can then simply send this link to the airline to help them locate your luggage faster.

Insurance and AirTags

Using AirTags in conjunction with baggage delay insurance can truly enhance your travel experience. From peace of mind to help with your claim.

What is Baggage Delay Insurance?

Baggage delay insurance protects you if your baggage is delayed or lost by the airline. This insurance allows you to receive compensation for the additional costs you may incur while waiting for your baggage to be delivered, or if your personal belongings are permanently lost.

It is offered by most travel credit cards in Canada, provided that the total cost of the trip is charged to the account.

Here are the different types of baggage delay insurance coverage.

• Baggage delay: if your baggage is delayed for more than 6 hours (usually), the insurance may cover the cost of basic necessities, such as clothing, toiletries and essential items. Coverage and minimum delay may vary according to the insurance company, but these expenses are generally reimbursed after verification that the delay has occurred.
• Lost luggage: if your luggage is permanently lost (i.e. you have contacted the airline and it has not been found within 21 days), some insurances offer compensation for the replacement of essential items. It’s important to check the exclusions and compensation ceilings, as some airlines or insurance companies may not cover the full value of lost goods.

The time after which you can claim a refund varies according to the insurance policy and airline. In addition, it is essential to keep all receipts and proof of loss or delay to facilitate the claims process.

Finally, if you’re paying for your flight with points, be sure to use a co-branded credit card, since this component requires that the entire cost be charged to the account or paid for with the card’s rewards points, unlike emergency medical care or flight delay insurance.

Here’s how these two elements complement each other:

• Even if your luggage is delayed, you can track its location in real time, which can reduce worry and speed up the search if necessary. If your luggage is delayed, you’ll be informed of its location at a precise time, which is much more reassuring than waiting without any information.
• Some airlines and insurance companies also offer assistance services (see the list of companies above) to help travelers collect their luggage. The AirTag gives you an additional advantage by allowing you to communicate precise information on the location of your baggage.
• While you’re waiting for your luggage to be delivered, baggage delay insurance can cover the cost of clothing and other necessities. While AirTag does not replace this coverage, it can help you reduce costs by helping you quickly locate your belongings.
• If your baggage is definitely lost, AirTag can prove that your personal effects were in transit and that your baggage can no longer be found, thus facilitating the insurance claim process.

Bottom Line

Ultimately, a combination of baggage delay insurance and Apple’s AirTag technology can offer travellers a greater level of protection and peace of mind than was imaginable just a few years ago. While insurance covers the costs and financial losses associated with the delay or loss of your luggage, AirTags allow you to track the location of your belongings, helping you to react quickly and reduce disruption to your trip.

So, as a savvy traveller, it’s always important to take precautions, not only with appropriate insurance, but also with modern tools like AirTags that can make your travels much more pleasant and less stressful. Looking for a gift for a traveller in your life? Look no further!