This $3,000 travel mistake could happen to any Aussie passenger—Are you at risk?
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We’ve all been there: you’re standing at the baggage carousel, bleary-eyed after a flight, watching suitcase after suitcase trundle past.
Maybe you’re in a rush, maybe you’re distracted, and before you know it, you’ve grabbed a bag that looks just like yours.
For most of us, the story ends with a sheepish swap and a laugh. But for one Jetstar passenger, a simple mix-up turned into a $3,000 nightmare—and a cautionary tale for every Aussie traveller.
Brady Watson, a 25-year-old Melburnian, was heading to Brisbane for a work trip in March. In the post-flight hustle, he accidentally picked up the wrong suitcase from the carousel.
It wasn’t until he got home and opened it that he realised his mistake. Like any good Samaritan, he promptly returned the bag to the airport, expecting a quick and easy swap. But that’s where his troubles really began.
'I took the bag straight back and thought it would just be a seamless transition... but staff said, ‘Oh, we actually don’t know where your bag has gone,’' Brady told Yahoo News. Three months later, his suitcase—and everything inside it—was still missing.
The Runaround: When Customer Service Fails
Brady’s ordeal didn’t end with the missing bag. He claims that chasing up information with Jetstar became a marathon of frustration, with each call leading to a new staff member and a fresh retelling of his story.
'I’ve spoken to four different people and no one knows where my bag is. It’s all very inconsistent, and it’s annoying having to explain the situation to all these different people at Jetstar,' he said.
He suspects the process is so convoluted that many people simply give up. And with no sign of his belongings, Brady is left hoping for some kind of reimbursement.
But both Jetstar and Brisbane Airport have pointed the finger at theft, saying his bag was likely stolen from the carousel before he returned the other passenger’s suitcase.
Jetstar’s Response: Sympathy, But No Compensation
Jetstar acknowledged the situation was 'frustrating and inconvenient' and said their customer service team had done everything possible to help. According to the airline, Brady’s bag was flown from Melbourne to Brisbane and placed on the carousel, but CCTV footage suggests someone else took it. Despite a police investigation, the bag has not been recovered.
'We know this is an incredibly disappointing outcome, and our team is willing to provide any further assistance we can to the police investigation,' a Jetstar spokesperson said. However, Yahoo News reports that Jetstar will not be providing any compensation to Brady.
Brisbane Airport echoed the sentiment, saying the matter is now in the hands of police.
'Incidents like this are extremely rare, and we understand how distressing it would be for the passenger involved. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind all travellers to carefully check that they have collected the correct luggage before leaving the baggage carousel area.'
The CCTV footage, unfortunately, was inconclusive due to poor camera placement near the carousel.
The Real Cost: No Insurance, No Luggage, No Recourse
Brady’s suitcase wasn’t just a bag—it was his wardrobe. Having recently moved to Melbourne, he’d packed all his new winter clothes, worth about $3,000.
'All my clothes were in the suitcase, I had just moved to Melbourne and wasn’t ready for the cold... the clothes were worth about $3,000. It was a lot of stuff,' he said.
Source: @bradyywatson / Tiktok.
Like many travellers, Brady didn’t think he’d need travel insurance for a short domestic flight. Now, he’s spent $1,500 replacing his lost clothes and is urging others to learn from his experience.
Brady’s final word? 'And I guess don’t fly Jetstar, but what other option do we have. They are definitely the cheapest airline, and they’re the cheapest for a reason... Just hug your luggage extra tight the night before your flight because you might not see it again.'
We know many of our Seniors Discount Club members are seasoned travellers with stories of their own. Have you ever lost your luggage, or had a similar experience with an airline? What tips do you have for keeping your belongings safe? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
Maybe you’re in a rush, maybe you’re distracted, and before you know it, you’ve grabbed a bag that looks just like yours.
For most of us, the story ends with a sheepish swap and a laugh. But for one Jetstar passenger, a simple mix-up turned into a $3,000 nightmare—and a cautionary tale for every Aussie traveller.
Brady Watson, a 25-year-old Melburnian, was heading to Brisbane for a work trip in March. In the post-flight hustle, he accidentally picked up the wrong suitcase from the carousel.
It wasn’t until he got home and opened it that he realised his mistake. Like any good Samaritan, he promptly returned the bag to the airport, expecting a quick and easy swap. But that’s where his troubles really began.
'I took the bag straight back and thought it would just be a seamless transition... but staff said, ‘Oh, we actually don’t know where your bag has gone,’' Brady told Yahoo News. Three months later, his suitcase—and everything inside it—was still missing.
A Jetstar passenger, Brady Watson, accidentally took the wrong suitcase from the Brisbane Airport baggage carousel and has been unable to recover his own $3,000 bag for over three months. Image source: @bradyywatson / Tiktok and Behind Asia / Youtube.
The Runaround: When Customer Service Fails
Brady’s ordeal didn’t end with the missing bag. He claims that chasing up information with Jetstar became a marathon of frustration, with each call leading to a new staff member and a fresh retelling of his story.
'I’ve spoken to four different people and no one knows where my bag is. It’s all very inconsistent, and it’s annoying having to explain the situation to all these different people at Jetstar,' he said.
He suspects the process is so convoluted that many people simply give up. And with no sign of his belongings, Brady is left hoping for some kind of reimbursement.
But both Jetstar and Brisbane Airport have pointed the finger at theft, saying his bag was likely stolen from the carousel before he returned the other passenger’s suitcase.
Jetstar’s Response: Sympathy, But No Compensation
Jetstar acknowledged the situation was 'frustrating and inconvenient' and said their customer service team had done everything possible to help. According to the airline, Brady’s bag was flown from Melbourne to Brisbane and placed on the carousel, but CCTV footage suggests someone else took it. Despite a police investigation, the bag has not been recovered.
'We know this is an incredibly disappointing outcome, and our team is willing to provide any further assistance we can to the police investigation,' a Jetstar spokesperson said. However, Yahoo News reports that Jetstar will not be providing any compensation to Brady.
Brisbane Airport echoed the sentiment, saying the matter is now in the hands of police.
'Incidents like this are extremely rare, and we understand how distressing it would be for the passenger involved. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind all travellers to carefully check that they have collected the correct luggage before leaving the baggage carousel area.'
The CCTV footage, unfortunately, was inconclusive due to poor camera placement near the carousel.
The Real Cost: No Insurance, No Luggage, No Recourse
Brady’s suitcase wasn’t just a bag—it was his wardrobe. Having recently moved to Melbourne, he’d packed all his new winter clothes, worth about $3,000.
'All my clothes were in the suitcase, I had just moved to Melbourne and wasn’t ready for the cold... the clothes were worth about $3,000. It was a lot of stuff,' he said.
Source: @bradyywatson / Tiktok.
Like many travellers, Brady didn’t think he’d need travel insurance for a short domestic flight. Now, he’s spent $1,500 replacing his lost clothes and is urging others to learn from his experience.
Brady’s final word? 'And I guess don’t fly Jetstar, but what other option do we have. They are definitely the cheapest airline, and they’re the cheapest for a reason... Just hug your luggage extra tight the night before your flight because you might not see it again.'
We know many of our Seniors Discount Club members are seasoned travellers with stories of their own. Have you ever lost your luggage, or had a similar experience with an airline? What tips do you have for keeping your belongings safe? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
