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How to turn on notifications: add or confirm your mobile number in Manage My Booking or during online check-in, install the official airline app and sign in with your booking reference, then enable SMS and push notifications in the app’s communication settings. At the airport, confirm notification preferences at the bag-drop desk if prompted.
What updates to expect: immediate confirmation when a bag is tagged, scan-based location updates at transit hubs, and a final message when the item is available at the arrival carousel or delivered to an address. Frequency depends on airport scan coverage; major hubs send more frequent scans than small terminals.
Practical recommendations: keep your bag-tag number and booking reference handy for quick follow-up with the baggage desk, prefer the app or email while roaming to avoid international SMS fees, enable push notifications and location permissions for map-based tracking, and update your contact number before travel if crossing time zones or switching SIMs.
When notifications may be limited: some airports and handling agents do not report every scan, so expect gaps in updates; if an item is not reported within one hour of landing, present your tag and reference at the baggage services desk or use the carrier’s online baggage query form for a formal search request.
SMS baggage updates: how to get and manage mobile notifications
Add a mobile number to your reservation and enable SMS baggage notifications on the airline website or mobile app to receive live status messages about checked items.
How to enable: sign in to Manage My Booking, enter the full international phone number (include + and country code), toggle on baggage updates in contact preferences, or confirm the number at airport check-in so the handling agent can register the tags for tracking.
Typical coverage and content: available on many long-haul and major domestic routes; messages commonly report tag scans (loaded/unloaded), estimated carousel, delayed status with a tracking reference (WorldTracer or carrier reference), and final delivery confirmation.
Costs and roaming: the service itself is normally complimentary, but standard carrier or roaming SMS fees may apply to the passenger; use a local number or app push notifications to avoid international charges.
Troubleshooting: verify digits and country code, disable SMS-blocking apps, check message inbox limits, and confirm the booking record shows the correct contact type. If messages stop, re-enter the number online or request re-registration at the baggage desk.
Alternatives when SMS isn’t available: enable push notifications in the carrier app, opt for email updates, or call the airport baggage service line and provide the tag or booking reference for manual tracking.
Stopping messages and privacy: reply STOP if the SMS provider supports it or switch off baggage notifications via Manage My Booking; the carrier uses messages only for operational status and recovery communications associated with your booking and tags.
How to opt in for BA baggage SMS notifications
Use the BA app or Manage My Booking to add your mobile number and enable baggage SMS notifications.
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Manage My Booking (website)
- Open the carrier website and sign in to Manage My Booking with booking reference and surname.
- Find Contact Details or Passenger Information and enter your mobile number in international format (e.g., +44 7123 456789 → +447123456789).
- Tick the checkbox for SMS/phone notifications for travel and bag updates, then Save changes.
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Mobile app
- Sign into the BA app, open Profile or Travel settings.
- Add or confirm mobile number in Contact Details using country code, then enable SMS under Notification Preferences.
- Allow the app to send SMS/push notifications when the system prompts for permissions.
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Executive Club members
- Log into your loyalty account online, go to Personal Details > Contact Preferences.
- Add mobile number and check the box for SMS travel/baggage messages; Save.
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Online check-in or airport kiosks
- During online check-in there is an option to add or confirm a mobile number – complete this to receive last‑minute SMS updates.
- At airport self‑service kiosks or check‑in desks, provide your mobile number to the agent or enter it on the touch screen.
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If SMS messages do not arrive
- Verify number format in your booking/profile (include ‘+’ and country code; remove any leading zeros).
- Confirm SMS permissions in the app and that your phone supports regular SMS (no VOIP-only numbers).
- Check with your mobile operator about international SMS blocking or roaming limits.
- Update the number in Manage My Booking or contact customer service with booking reference to add SMS consent.
- Use the international format for all numbers (example: +1XXXXXXXXXX for US, +44XXXXXXXXXX for UK).
- To stop messages, reply STOP to an SMS or deselect SMS in your profile/Manage My Booking.
- Standard carrier SMS charges and roaming fees may apply; message frequency varies by trip and service selected.
Which booking types and routes qualify for BA baggage SMS notifications
Opt in only when your reservation shows a checked-bag allowance on BA-operated sectors; SMS tracking relies on a tagged piece of baggage being recorded by BA’s handling systems.
Eligible fare families and cabin classes: Euro Traveller or Economy fares that include at least one checked bag; World Traveller (long-haul economy) when a checked allowance is included; World Traveller Plus (premium economy); Club Europe / Club World (short- and long-haul business); First class. Basic/hand-baggage-only fares and ancillary paid-for single-bag add-ons may be excluded if no BA bag tag is issued at check-in.
Codeshares and partner-operated segments: marketing-carrier BA codeshare flights are eligible only when BA is the operating carrier for the segment and issues the baggage tag. If a partner airline operates and tags your bag, SMS messages are typically not generated by BA; the operating carrier’s messaging applies instead. For interline itineraries, messages appear when BA retains baggage handling responsibility and assigns a BA tag.
Routes with higher likelihood of coverage: most long-haul trunk routes and high-traffic short-haul trunk sectors out of London Heathrow and Gatwick where checked baggage is routine. Thin regional routes and some intra-European flights sold as hand-baggage-only are less likely to produce SMS updates.
How to confirm before travel: check the e-ticket for a checked-bag entitlement and the operating carrier for each segment, verify a BA-issued bag tag at departure check-in, and ensure a mobile number is attached to the booking. If any segment is operated by a partner and issues a non-BA tag, assume BA SMS will not apply for that piece of baggage.
Information included in BA bag SMS messages
Enable SMS on your reservation to receive bag-tag IDs, carousel assignment, claim reference numbers and direct tracking links.
Typical fields included: booking reference; flight number and date; bag-tag ID(s) (numeric or alphanumeric); number of pieces; current status (accepted, in transit, arrived, delayed, mishandled); carousel/collection zone and terminal; expected arrival time or delay estimate; Property Irregularity Report (PIR) or claim reference; link to the carrier’s bag-tracing page; local handling office phone number; payment or oversize charge notice; transfer confirmation for connections; barcode scan timestamps and location codes.
| Message type | What it contains | Example elements | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-in / Acceptance | Booking ref, flight number, bag-tag ID(s), pieces, acceptance time, receipt link | TAG 0123456789 · Flight BA123 · 1 piece · Receipt: link | Save tag IDs; screenshot message; keep receipt link for claims |
| Arrival / Ready for collection | Carousel number, terminal, arrival time, map link (sometimes) | Carousel 5 · Terminal 3 · Ready now | Proceed to indicated carousel; show message at collection if asked |
| Delayed / Misplaced | Delay notice, estimated arrival window, claim reference, tracking link, contact phone | Delayed · Est arrival 14:30–16:00 · Ref BAG1234567 · Track: link | Note claim ref; follow tracking link; call local handling office if needed |
| Mishandled / PIR issued | PIR/claim number, instructions for collecting compensation info, handler desk details | PIR: X9Z123456 · Visit Lost & Found desk · Form: link | Visit desk with ID and boarding pass; keep PIR for follow-up |
| Transfer confirmation | Bag transfer status, new tag (if re-tagged), connecting flight reference | Transferred to BA456 · New TAG 987654321 · Connection OK | Confirm new tag matches your connection; report discrepancies immediately |
| Oversize / fee notice | Oversize/overweight flag, fee amount, payment instructions or counter location | Oversize charge £60 · Pay at check-in desk · Receipt link | Pay or make arrangements at the desk; keep payment confirmation |
Practical steps based on message content
Always screenshot or forward the SMS to your travel companion and store bag-tag IDs separately from boarding documents. Use the tracking link immediately after a delay notice to capture timestamps. If a PIR or claim reference is provided, quote that number in every call or email to the handler; keep receipts for any interim expenses.
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Why you might not receive BA baggage SMS and how to fix it
First step: verify and correct the mobile number on the booking (use +CountryCode format, no leading zeros) and enable SMS in your BA profile; if travelling abroad, switch on roaming and request that your carrier allows A2P/short-code messages.
Common technical causes and specific remedies
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Incorrect number format – Problem: local format (e.g., 07123…) instead of international (+44 7123…) prevents delivery.
Fix: update booking via Manage My Booking or the BA account to +CountryCode followed by the national number.
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Carrier blocks or short-code filtering – Problem: some networks block marketing/short-code SMS or block messages when roaming.
Fix: call the mobile operator, ask them to unblock short codes and enable international SMS/A2P messaging for your line.
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Device spam filters – Problem: iOS “Filter Unknown Senders” or Android spam apps hide messages from non-contacts.
Fix: add “BA” or the airline-sender to contacts and disable unknown-sender filtering in message settings.
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Agency or third-party booking – Problem: travel agent omitted the mobile number from the passenger name record (PNR).
Fix: update the PNR through the agent or use Manage My Booking to add the mobile number; then request an SMS re-send from support.
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Multiple passengers or mismatched passenger record – Problem: number saved to the wrong passenger on the PNR.
Fix: confirm which passenger entry holds the mobile and correct the association in Manage My Booking.
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App notifications substituted for SMS – Problem: the account is set to push notifications only, so SMS will not be issued.
Fix: check both app settings and contact preferences in the BA profile and enable SMS for operational messages.
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Temporary system or routing delay – Problem: queuing or gateway faults can delay messages for hours.
Fix: check bag status via the web/app and, if necessary, raise a support ticket with PNR and timestamp requests for manual confirmation.
Step-by-step checklist to restore messages
- Open Manage My Booking, enter surname and reference, confirm the mobile is stored in international format; save changes.
- Log into the BA account, go to Profile → Contact Preferences, and toggle SMS for operational communications on.
- Add a contact named “BA” on the phone and disable message filtering for unknown senders (iPhone: Settings → Messages → Filter Unknown Senders = Off).
- Contact your mobile carrier: request short-code/A2P SMS unblocking and confirm roaming SMS is enabled for the travel dates.
- If booking via an agent, ask the agent to push the mobile to the airline PNR or contact airline support with the booking reference and request an SMS resend.
- If problems persist, capture timestamps and screenshots, then open a support case (include PNR, flight number, passenger name, mobile in +CountryCode format) so agents can trace the message gateway.
Troubleshooting note: check for URL-shortening or link-blocking on the device if messages arrive but links are stripped; additional diagnostic resources: which of the following is not a function of proteins.
Comparing BA app push, email and airport screens vs SMS
Recommendation: Use the BA app push as your main personal update channel for richer, near-real-time tracking; keep SMS as a reliable offline backup; use email for full documentation and airport screens for final carousel verification.
Speed: push notifications deliver instantly when the device has data or Wi‑Fi; SMS typically arrives within seconds to a few minutes but only requires cellular signal; email can lag from minutes up to 30+ minutes depending on servers; airport screens refresh after systems register baggage, usually within 5–15 minutes of aircraft disembarkation.
Content richness: push can include live tracking links, deep links into the app and short status lines; SMS is limited to ~160 characters per message (concatenation increases length but may split across segments) and generally contains concise status plus a reference; emails carry full descriptions, receipts, photos and policy text; airport screens present only flight number, carousel and tag segments – no personal contact details.
Availability and cost: push requires the app, permissions and internet access; SMS works without data but may incur roaming fees abroad; email needs internet and can be filtered to spam; airport screens are public and free to consult but not personalized. For international travel without roaming, rely on SMS for personal delivery notices; for rich interactions (change booking, claim forms) use the app or email links.
Reliability and control: push can be suppressed by Do Not Disturb, low-power modes or revoked permissions; SMS bypasses app-level blocks but depends on the mobile network and correct phone number in the booking; emails can be missed due to filters – whitelist the sender and set inbox notifications. Keep the app updated and allow background refresh to reduce missed push messages.
Privacy and visibility: push and email are private to the account/device; SMS exposes message content on the handset lock screen unless masked by device settings; airport screens are public and should be used only to confirm carousel and tag numbers, not as the sole source for personal incident handling.
When to prefer each channel: choose push for instant, actionable updates while connected; choose SMS when internet access is uncertain or when you need a simple confirmation on the move; choose email for detailed records, receipts and follow-up correspondence; consult airport screens on arrival to confirm physical carousel and tag matches before leaving the hall.
Practical tweaks: keep the mobile number current in your booking; enable app notifications and background data; whitelist the carrier’s email to avoid spam filters; set your phone to hide message previews on the lock screen if you want extra privacy for SMS and push content.
Charges, international roaming and phone number requirements for BA SMS notifications
Provide your mobile number in E.164 format (+country code then national number, drop the leading trunk zero), confirm with your carrier that incoming international and short-code SMS are allowed, and enable roaming or supply a roaming-capable/local number in your reservation to prevent delivery failures or unexpected billing.
Phone number format and routing rules
Use E.164 examples when updating bookings: US +1 5551234567; UK +44 7123456789 (remove the leading 0); AU +61 412345678. Enter the plus sign or the country code field exactly as requested; systems that store numbers in E.164 are far more likely to deliver messages internationally. Avoid VoIP-only, landline or messaging-only numbers (many cloud/VoIP providers block short-code SMS). If your number is tied to an eSIM, verify SMS receipt capability for short codes and two-factor messages with the eSIM vendor.
Short-code routing: messages from short codes or alphanumeric senders sometimes do not route to foreign-supplied SIMs. If the operator sending the SMS uses a domestic short code, a foreign SIM may not receive it even when roaming is enabled. Test receipt by requesting a test message via the booking management page or customer service before travel.
Roaming charges and cost control
Incoming standard SMS often appears free on many mobile plans, but roaming policies vary by operator and destination. Premium messages and short-code-originated texts may be billed at premium rates or blocked; consult your carrier’s roaming price list for incoming SMS and short-code handling. If roaming fees are unacceptable, options include: add a short-term roaming bundle that explicitly covers incoming SMS, obtain a local prepaid SIM or eSIM that supports short codes, or update the booking with a number known to receive international short-code SMS.
Perform one final check 24–48 hours before travel: confirm roaming is active, verify that short-code messages are permitted, and save the mobile number in E.164 on the reservation. If replacement gear is needed abroad, consider buying from a known retailer: best luggage brands macys.
