Label both the inside and outside of your luggage clearly with your name, email address and two phone numbers. Refrain from marking luggage with your physical address, as this leaves you vulnerable to more crime if your luggage is stolen.
Get a bag-tracking luggage tag. These have special identifying codes (and, more and more frequently, RFID chips) that allow you to track the bag's process in real time on the web.
Refrain from overpacking. The extra pressure of "just one more pair of pants" may cause the luggage to split open, spilling its contents.
Consider having your bags wrapped in plastic at the terminal by a bag-wrapping service. The availability of this service depends on your departure airport, but it can be an effective deterrent to thieves (as well as preventing overstuffed bags from splitting).
Hustle to the counter. Especially during busy travel periods, checking luggage early helps ensure that your baggage will travel on the plane you board.
Double-check the airline counter personnel. Have a quick glance to verify that the tags they attach to your bag show your flight's correct destination code and flight number. If you catch something, the staff will thank you for it.
Give your luggage only to authorized personnel. When you arrive, only pass your luggage to a uniformed member of the hotel's bell staff. Require receipts for any stored luggage.
