Last Updated: August 24, 2023
What To Put On A Luggage Tag (Complete Guide)
Let’s face it, there is nothing worse than losing your luggage when traveling. It downright sucks, and even more so when you are only going on a short vacation.
If there is any way to avoid your luggage being lost or help it be found, doing it is a good idea and that is where luggage tags come in.
But, what information should be on your luggage tag? It needs to be enough to help the airline but not so much in case your bag gets stolen.
Join me as I run through exactly what and what not to put on your luggage tags.
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What Should You Put On Your Luggage Tag?
You should put enough information on your luggage tag so your lost luggage can be identified quickly and sent to your final destination.
You should write the following on your luggage tag:
- Your name, in initial and surname format (J Hoover for example)
- Your email address – use a different one from your main account
- Your mobile phone number with country code
This amount of luggage tag info allows the airline to know the bag is yours and put it on the next flight to your destination. They can also contact you via your email or phone number to let you know they have found it and that it is on the way to you.
It is advisable to add the luggage tag to both your check-in baggage and your carry-on luggage. The reason to add it to your carry-on bags is in case the airline makes you check them in at the gate.
What Should You Not Put On Your Luggage Tag?
Luggage tags usually go on the outside of your bag so that the bag can be identified without a person having to go through your bag. But, this means your luggage tag info is available for anyone to see if they want to.
Do not put your home address or home phone number on your luggage tag info. If someone sees your home address on your bag tag, they know where your house is and that it is empty for a while.
No one wants to leave baggage claim and get home to find their house has been robbed while they are on vacation.
Also, if someone knows your home address, cell phone number, home phone number, name, and email address, they know too much. This amount of data in the wrong hands can have devastating effects on one’s life.
What Should You Put On Your Child’s Luggage Tag?
Your child’s luggage tag should have your information on it, not the child’s – so the same information we discussed above, Name, email, and cell phone number.
The reasons for this are twofold. Firstly, your child isn’t going to be talking to the airline about their missing bag, that is going to be you. Secondly, you want to protect your child’s privacy and data as much as possible.
Why Should You Use A Luggage Tag?
The airline luggage tag has all the information needed to get your bag to its destination including where it is going, what flight it should be on, and who it belongs to.
When the label comes off, for whatever reason, the airline then has no idea where the bag is meant to go or who owns it.
By adding your own luggage tag, you can help the airline quickly identify who the bag belongs to and where it should go, meaning your bag won’t be lost for very long.
So, why should you use a luggage tag? To help you get your luggage as quickly as possible if the airline luggage tag comes off during transit.
Luggage tags also help you identify your bags at the baggage carousel or bag stand. This decreases the chances of someone taking the wrong bag (which could be yours) with them.
Where Should You Put Your Luggage Tag?
The place to attach luggage tags is on the outside of your suitcase, especially if your suitcase locks. This allows people to identify your luggage without opening your luggage and finding lots of valuable things inside.
Some suitcases come with a special luggage tag holder. These are ideal as they are built-in meaning they can not be torn off by mistake during transit.
If your suitcase does not have one of these, add your luggage tag to the handle.
Can You Put A Smart Tag in Your Luggage?
Yes, you can put a smart tag in your luggage or on it. If you are using a smart tag that runs on batteries and provides you with the GPS location of your bag, make sure it is TSA Approved.
Other forms of smart tags are metal luggage tags. These luggage tags feature a QR code which when scanned, shows the scanner the information you have added.
This is super handy as you can change your information for each flight, and by adding the flight details, help the airline get you your missing bag as quickly as possible.
When using a smart GPS luggage tag, put the tag inside your suitcase. When using a smart QR luggage tag, put it on the outside of your bag so it can be easily scanned.
Other Tips For Using Luggage Tags
- Never leave old airline tags or stickers on your bags. This only adds confusion as it increases the chances of your bag being lost in transit.
- Do not write your nationality on your luggage tag. Not everyone likes all nationalities and you do not want to make your luggage a target.
- Add a piece of paper with your name, email, and flight info inside your luggage. This helps the airline ID your bag and get it to you if both your exterior luggage tag and the airline luggage tag are pulled off.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
