https://www.slate.com/articles/life/design/2012/10/airline_baggage_tags_how_their_brilliant_design_gets_bags_from_point_a_to_point_b_.html, What You Should and Should Not Write On Your Luggage Tag (Video). If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. So where, exactly, does your bag go after you hand it over at check-in (and after the customer service agent attaches a luggage tag)? At the same time, you dont want to reveal too much personal information in case your suitcase gets stolen. Thats because the bar codes enable the airports automated baggage handling system to keep track of each bag throughout the process. Plus, if your flight made it off the ground and to your destination without any delays, you can thank the airline luggage tags attached to everybodys bags. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. But the tag doesnt just contain a bar code. When traveling abroad, avoid a luggage tag with a flag or anything that could identify your nationality. Digital luggage tags already provide a secure way to track your bags and allow airport workers to scan for private information. This kind of information is exactly what thieves want. Can You Bring Ice Axes and Other Ice Climbing Gear on Planes? As you can see, we purposely have only included the most essential information to get in contact with you. Then it heads to a TSA inspection team, who opens the bag. Theyll cost around $5-$20 but theyll be much more durable and last longer. productslearn more about You may be thinking, Whats the point of luggage tags on carry-on luggage? The reason might surprise you! While were at it, lets also put a stop to writing things like, Ill be on a vacation for the next two weeks and my house is completely unguarded! on your Facebook timeline. https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/this-is-why-your-luggage-gets-lost-in-transit/news-story/c705e00c5272ab6575b1d430eef019c6, This is How Many Bags Airlines Lost Last Year. Place an itinerary or business card inside your luggage. https://laughingelephant.com/why-were-luggage-labels-created. If youre traveling internationally, you need to be extra careful. Unfortunately, a lot of nationalities are frowned upon in some parts of the world, and explicitly stating your nationality might make you a more fruitful target. Some airports even check your luggage against your documentation to make sure the information matches before allowing you to leave the airport, so make sure your things are plainly and properly tagged. That way, the airline can contact you. Bags can get accidentally mislabeled. As for bags that lose their airline luggage tags? Its not a great idea to do that because you never know who is looking for other peoples information. Whether youre flying to Texas or the Bahamas, luggage tags will help make sure your bags are on the same airplane. Deltas baggage tracking feature will tell you where your bag is and where its headed. Automated baggage tags, introduced in the 1990s, added two important features: Custom printing and a bar code. But luckily, airlines are better than ever at reuniting lost bags with their owners. If anything were to happen to your bags, airlines would know who they belong to! Easy returns. If the exterior luggage tag somehow gets accidentally ripped off, the additional information inside would work as a backup. Read Next: Luggage Straps: Are They Actually Useful For Securing Your Suitcase? Its important that you only put necessary information on your luggage tag, like your name, email address, and phone number. As with most aspects of travel, the best plan is foresight. Can You Bring Facial Sheet Masks on Planes? These are all the reasons why you should use a luggage tag: Bright colors and fun shapes are easy to see from a baggage claim. Despite being inexpensive, flexible, and disposable, the tags have to be easy to attach but impossible to detach until the bag arrives safely at its destination. Read on to learn exactly how airline luggage tags keep your bags on track and en route to the correct destination. Fortunately, the airline also attaches additional small adhesive tags as a safeguard. Some have already started selling them even though its still a new technology. Youll know exactly where your bag is at all times at the push of a button. Seek assistance right away and file a claim if you cant find your luggage. Play it safe by using electronic luggage tags, or by listing only your basic contact information on a luggage tag. The scanner checks to see whether the bag could contain a bomb. Some people prefer to use metal luggage tags because they wont get squished and will last longer. 16 Luggage Tags That Are Much Better Than the Paper One You Got for Free at the Airport. They also cant tear. Read on for some of our favorite luggage tags, both digital and non-digital. Making the most out of this small, often underrated travel accessory will not only help keep your things safe and sound, but can also help ensure your travels are seamless and stress-free. Getting to the airport early gives your bags more time to get checked-in and onto the plane. Other mishaps also get the blame. Decide what features you want. Back in 1882, luggage tags were actually called baggage checks.. Write your contact information (name, surname, phone, and e-mail), your flight information, and contact details for the hotels youll be staying at on a regular piece of A4 paper. Use tags with a flap that covers the information or turning the card around if you can't avoid identifying information. A lot of travelers write their home address and home phone number on their luggage tags. Retrieved from If that inspector concludes that it doesnt pose a risk, then the bag heads straight for the airlines luggage system. Additionally, the baggage handler recommends choosing a four-wheeled bag over one with only two wheels. To buy: beistravel.com, $28 (originally $34), To buy: leatherology.com, $16 (originally $35). Many people forget about them altogether and opt for the paper tags at the airline check-in, hastily scribbling down their addresses and phone numbers before going through security. Youll have the convenience of the airlines barcode tag as well as one that makes your bags stand out! You should avoid writing anything that shows your nationality, especially if youre from America and traveling to the Middle East. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you're worried about luggage being lost on the return flight, consider listing a work address instead of home. Nowadays, you can travel in style with your own custom luggage tag. If you check in 30 minutes before your plane takes off, theres a big chance your bags wont make it on the same flight. Put the paper in the zippered pocket in the main compartment so someone can easily spot it when they open the bag. As your bags makes their way through the baggage handling system and toward the plane, the airline luggage tags ensure that they go to the right place. That usually happens right in front of you when you check in for your flight. www.cleverjourney.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Unlike the old paper tickets, luggage tags are made to last. Theyve been used for years, and with more durable materials than ever before, theyre here to stay! What information should go on your tags? Related: 16 Luggage Tags That Are Much Better Than the Paper One You Got for Free at the Airport. Flights, hotels, rental car, attraction tickets, packing lists: there's a lot to think about when you're planning a trip. Recently a lot of startups have popped up that promise electronic ink-based luggage tags in the near future. Its also a good idea to know whats inside your suitcase in case anything is misplaced or stolen. What if the main baggage tag does get pulled off a bag? Also, make sure the compartments and pockets on your bag are securely zipped and fastened. Early adopters could introduce modern tags before every airport could handle them. Place luggage tags on the inside and outside of your bags. Instead, write your first and last name, where the bag should be sent, and contact information (phone or email). Over 4.3 billion people traveled via commercial airlines in 2018. The inside tag is in case of damage to the outside one, by choosing a durable luggage tag you minimize the risk of damage to the tag and more importantly, the information hidden within. Attaching a luggage tag in the main compartment is arguably even better because it cant be accidentally lost and other people wont see it when youre in a public space. Some feature barcodes that allow airport workers to scan the tag and see the traveler's itinerary, while others pair with an app on your phone so you can track your bag's location in real time. Some exist solely to provide necessary information, while others transform into a grab-and-go wallet. How Can I Track Down My Lost Luggage Without a Tracking Number? Electronic luggage tags have an ink-based screen that shows your contacts and a barcode with the current flight information. Loading and unloading systems vary by aircraft, airline, and baggage handling team. Airports can be pretty crowded at high-peak times. Just make sure to put it in a place that you can spot it quickly, such as the zippered mesh pocket in the main compartment. The best places for attaching your tag are usually around the top or side handle so its more noticeable. So you should give those airline luggage tags a quick once-over, just to make sure that the destination code looks right. You should consider attaching tags to your items anytime someone else is going to be handling your luggage. If that label is removed from the luggage, the airlines can no longer identify who it belongs to or where it needs to go. Your mobile phone number with the proper country and area code. That said, many smaller shops inside airports will also sell regular luggage tags. Mark & Graham Fillmore Vegan Leather Luggage Tag, Travelambo Vegan Leather Luggage Tags, 4-pack, What to Do If an Airline Loses Your Luggage, The Best RFID-blocking Wallets for Travel, The Best Rolling Duffel Bags for Every Trip, The Best Luggage Scales, According to Travel Experts, What You Need to Know Before Flying with a Baby, The Best Garment Bags for Wrinkle-free Travel, The Best Vet-approved Pet Travel Essentials for Cats and Dogs, 12 Mistakes to Avoid When Renting a Vacation Home, According to Experts, The Most Stylish and Comfortable Travel Backpacks for Women, I'm a Packing Expert Here Are 3 Major Mistakes I Avoid When Packing Boots, We Tested 9 Travel Hair Dryers Here Are the Ones Worth Buying, The Best Travel Purses for Every Occasion. Sometimes, a bags strap or tag catches in a belt and causes a jam. The machinery also identifies bags that are too big and sends them down a belt to a TSA inspector. Dont get too close to the weight limit. If you will be traveling to multiple-destinations with limited internet access, consider providing contact information of a trusted friend or family member who knows how to get in touch with you in case of emergency. Thats still a crucial data point for airlines. The system knows your bags location from the moment you check in to the time you pick up your bag at baggage claim. They set off an alarm if the bag goes missing in the second or two between sensors. Cond Nast Traveler reports that, in an effort to alleviate passenger bag stress, several airlines have added baggage tracking features to their apps. Notify the airline immediately if you suspect your luggage is lost. Attach luggage tags to both carry-on and checked luggage.