Lost and Found: The Top Travel Items Canadians Misplace in 2024

So, what went missing the most in 2024? Let’s uncover the most frequently lost travel items and expert-backed tips to help you hold onto your essentials.

Here’s how you can avoid the lost-and-found club!

The Leaderboard

• Most Likely to Vanish: Earbuds – 67% of travellers reported losing them on the go.
• Most Ironic Loss: Luggage Tags – 48% of travellers found their luggage tags missing or damaged.
• Most Forgotten Hotel Item: Portable Chargers – 31% of travellers admitted to leaving them behind.

1. The Earbud Epidemic

Background

You're not alone if you’ve ever dug through your pockets, bags, and seat cushions in a desperate hunt for your earbuds. Wireless earbuds offer convenience but have one big problem: they’re ridiculously easy to lose.

Unlike a passport or wallet, earbuds don’t feel like an essential "must check before leaving" item. They're small, blend in with their surroundings, and are often the last thing on your mind when rushing through an airport or hopping off a train.

Results

In a recent survey, 67% of Canadian travellers reported losing their earbuds while on the move. Whether left on a plane, at a café or buried in a bag, they’re the top item to go missing.

Travel Tips:

So, how can you keep your earbuds from vanishing? A little extra effort now can save you from wishing you had them during your flight.

• Brighten them up – A colourful case or skin makes them easier to spot.
• Track them down – Bluetooth trackers such as AirTags to help you find them fast.
• Label them – Add your contact info so a good Samaritan can return them.

2. Lost Luggage Tags: A Travelling Nightmare

Background

Luggage tags exist for one reason—to help you reunite with your bags if they go missing. But what happens when the tag itself gets lost? The irony is almost painful.

Luggage tags are surprisingly vulnerable. They get ripped off by conveyor belts, loosened by rough handling, or, in some cases, stolen as souvenirs. And when that happens, your suitcase could be sent on an unexpected world tour—without you.

Results

In 2024, 48% of Canadian travellers reported losing or damaging their luggage tags. Without them, bags risk being rerouted to the airport’s version of a black hole. Blame wet weather, flimsy construction, or chucking your bag into the trunk without noticing the tag was no longer attached.

Travel Tips:

Here’s how to make sure your luggage stays connected to you because no one wants their vacation to start with a missing bag:

• Go for durability – Choose tags with metal loops or polycarbonate fasteners.
• Make it stand out – Bright colours and unique designs help spot your bag faster.
• Consider a backup – Digital luggage tags or an Apple AirTag inside your suitcase provide an extra layer of security.

3. Portable Charger Woes

Background

It’s the modern travel nightmare: you reach for your phone, see the dreaded “1% battery remaining” warning, and realize—your charger is still plugged into the hotel wall.

Portable chargers are essential for keeping devices powered during long travel days, yet they’re also one of the easiest things to forget. They're not bulky like a laptop, not vital like a passport, and often stay hidden behind nightstands or tucked away in obscure outlets.

Results

31% of Canadian travellers reported leaving behind their portable chargers. That’s a lot of cords for hotels, airports, and rental cars to sift through. Next time you want to wait until the last minute to pack or skip the crucial double-check, remember batteries don’t last forever.

Travel Tips:

Don’t let a forgotten charger leave you powerless. These habits can save you from a battery-level panic:

• Do a final outlet check – Scan bedside tables, desks, and walls before you check out.
• Pack a backup – Keep an extra charger in a different bag.
• Use a travel case – A designated pouch makes chargers harder to forget.

Conclusion

As travel habits change, so do the ways we misplace our belongings. With new technology, more innovative packing strategies, and better tracking tools, travellers have more ways to keep their essentials close. But no matter how much we innovate, the reality remains: a moment of distraction is all it takes for something to disappear.

Now it’s your turn—what’s the strangest or most valuable thing you’ve ever lost while travelling? Share your story in the comments! And if you’re looking for a way to pass the time while waiting for lost items to resurface, check out Jackpot City Ontario for some entertainment on the go.

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