Baggage lost in the United States that goes unclaimed for 90 days ends up at the Unclaimed Baggage Center. The huge warehouse located in Scottboro, Alabama sells items from unclaimed carry-ons, suitcases, and other travel accessories the airlines were unable to return.
Most of the items on sale are clothes, although anything that can be lost is sold there at largely discounted rates. Unfortunately, you can’t search their inventory or buy anything from them online but it might be a nice road trip stop.
The UBC makes no effort to contact owners once they receive the goods even if they have name tags and addresses or inventory them for you to find later. They’re not all evil though, 35% of all the goods they get are donated to charity, and there is a 14 day return policy on most items.
The site recommends reporting all lost luggage at the airport as soon as you realize it’s missing. The UBC also suggests asking for amenities like toothbrushes and razors from the airline, which most of them will provide. Lost luggage is returned in an average of 1-3 days so prepare an emergency hygiene kit to keep your pits smelling fresh until then.
