Last Updated: July 31, 2023
Why Wrap Luggage In Plastic? Here’s What You Need To Know
We’ve all been at the airport and noticed that one person with a suitcase wrapped in a thick layer of plastic wrap. If you’ve ever wondered why in the world someone would choose to wrap their suitcase with cling film, you’re in the right place because that’s precisely what I’ll be telling you about in this guide!
There are many benefits to wrapping your luggage in plastic, and the most notable one is added protection. But there are also significant disadvantages to this method, as well as other alternatives you can try before you bite the bullet and pay someone to wrap your suitcase in plastic. Keep reading and you’ll learn about all the pros and cons of wrapping luggage in plastic, as well as what other options you can try first!
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Benefits of Wrapping Your Luggage in Plastic
Use cling film to wrap your luggage and get your cat to help
Protect The Shell From Scratches
Hardside luggage is prone to scuffs and scratches and wrapping it in plastic is a good way of protecting the shell from marks. A thick layer of plastic wrap will also improve the impact resistance of your case, which should make it more durable and keep it protected if the baggage handlers start throwing it around.
Keeps The Luggage Contents Secure
Luggage wrapped in plastic film is significantly less likely to be tampered with when it’s out of your eyesight. While it’s not a very common occurrence that thieves break into other people’s luggage, it does happen, and a thick wrap of plastic will immediately discourage them.
They won’t be able to open your luggage without removing the plastic wrap first, and that’s something you would notice immediately and be able to report it.
Makes The Luggage More Eeasily Noticeable
It sucks when you’re waiting for your luggage at baggage claim, only to realize that apparently, everyone who was on your flight has the same suitcase. Wrapping luggage in plastic will make it immediately noticeable on the conveyor belt, especially if you add a tiny detail or a mark somewhere on the wrap, so you can instantly know which bag is yours.
Prevents The Luggage From Bursting Open
If your suitcase is old or has a faulty zipper, there’s always a chance that the case could burst open, especially if it gets thrown around a lot. Wrap luggage with a thick layer of plastic to prevent it from bursting open and spilling the contents everywhere. Even if the zipper malfunctions and the case bursts open, it will still stay closed enough that you can maneuver it to the hotel and deal with the problem in time.
Protects The Luggage From Weather Conditions
One good thing about plastic wrap is that it will protect your luggage in case of rain, snow, hail, or any other wet weather situation. This is especially useful if you expect to arrive at a destination where it will be heavily raining and you have a softshell suitcase that doesn’t have the best water resistance. Hardsides can also fail at protecting the luggage contents from the rain, especially if they have faulty or poor-quality zippers.
Disadvantages of Wrapping Your Luggage in Plastic
You Can’t Access the Contents of the Luggage
Wrapping a suitcase with plastic wrap means that you’re fully packed and you’re done with the luggage. If you remember to pack something last-minute, you’ll have to unwrap the entire thing just to get to the zipper. This is far from ideal, and it’s why I advise against wrapping carry-on bags: wrap only your checked bag, once you’ve triple-checked that you’ve packed everything inside it.
Plastic Wrap Can Leave Marks
Although wrapping luggage with shrink wrap can protect the case from getting scuffed and scratched in transport, the plastic wrap could also leave some marks on the shell. It won’t be quite as bad as bumping the shell on a sharp corner, but it’s still not ideal if you want to keep the shell of your suitcase intact.
It’s a Waste of Plastic
Using copious amounts of cling film to wrap your suitcase is by definition a waste of plastic. You’ll just unwrap the thing when you arrive and throw away all that plastic. It’s not an eco-friendly way of protecting your luggage, and I would highly recommend going with a reusable suitcase cover instead. The very least you can do is find a plastic recycling bin and dispose of the excess plastic wrap in it.
Where to Get Your Bags Wrapped
You can usually get your bags wrapped at the airport. Many companies that offer luggage wrapping services have plastic wrap facilities at the airport, and all you need to do is locate the wrapping station, tell them you want your luggage wrapped, and pay for the service.
Bag Wrap and Secure Wrap stations are what you’ll usually find at bigger airports. They use industrial-strength plastic wrap to secure your luggage, and they will usually rewrap your luggage for free if the TSA decides to open it up for inspection.
Cost of Wrapping Your Luggage in Plastic
The cost of getting your luggage shrink-wrapped at the airport is usually $15-35 per item. It’s generally cheaper for smaller suitcases and more expensive for checked bags. But in all honestly, I don’t really think it’s worth it to pay $35 to someone to wrap your suitcase with an extra layer of plastic when you can do it at home in 15 minutes for significantly less money.
Alternatives to Plastic Wrapping Your Luggage
The best alternative to plastic wrapping your luggage is to buy a reusable luggage cover. This works wonders for protecting the bag from scuffs and scratches, as well as making it more easily noticeable on the baggage carousel. A suitcase cover will also protect your luggage contents in wet weather, but at the same time, it allows easy access to your bag.
Luggage covers are available in a wide variety of colors and designs, and you can get anything from a see-through plastic cover to one with a print of Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
If you’re using plastic wrap to keep your luggage from bursting open, consider purchasing luggage straps. These are standard nylon belts that you can wrap around the sides of your luggage and lock in place. Once locked, even if the zipper fails and the suitcase bursts open, the nylon strap will keep the bag closed shut.
Finally, if you’re thinking of using plastic wrap to deter any shady people who might want to steal from you or tamper with your bags, a TSA-friendly lock is a much better option. You can purchase a TSA-approved padlock if your luggage doesn’t lock, or just invest in a zipperless suitcase with TSA-friendly latch locks for ultimate security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wrap my luggage in plastic at home?
Yes, you can absolutely wrap your luggage in plastic at home. You can use standard kitchen cling film or a bigger plastic wrap for packing and use it to wrap your suitcase. It shouldn’t take too long, and the only catch is to keep the plastic wrap taut until you’ve circled around back to it.
If my suitcase is wrapped in plastic, will the TSA unwrap it during security checks?
The Transportation Security Administration has the authority to unwrap your luggage if they choose it for a random check. They will not rewrap it once they are done, but if you got your luggage wrapped at the airport, the company that wrapped might offer free rewrapping in case of TSA inspections.
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.
