Luggage labels and suitcase security

[glitterbiscuits]

Any suggestions for good luggage labelling?

My last suitcase tags broke, despite good Amazon reviews and had to be cable tied.
I'm traveling between a few places so thinking of putting the hotel addresses on the label.

i would try here. they are unlikely to break because of the typeof strap. link

Thanks I will have a look

I have a sturdy leather address label, made with Saffiano leather which is very hard wearing/scratch proof. Think it was from John Lewis/House of Fraser, just bog standard can't remember the brand!

I would recommend getting a lock that is 'TSA' approved, which means it has an additional opening that the airport security can open if they need to with a special tool. Saves it being cut off!

Alternatively use a tip-ex pen or metallic sharpie to write on your case if it is a hard case... Just put name/number/country

put labels INSIDE case, just something identifiable on the outside - coloured tape for example. Don't lock the case. If you put valuables in hold luggage you deserve the theft.

I never label my luggage (assuming you are flying, the sticky luggage tags are the way it will be identified if it goes astray). I do have distinctive ribbons or bags on everything so I can pick it out from the sea of black cases on the carousel. Something on the inside would be a good insurance if things go really wrong. I hold the zips on my luggage together with a paper clip rather than locking them. I've never had a bag lost or anything stolen (there is never anything more valuable than a pair of shoes in my hold bag)

Whatever you do don't use those luggage labels that have your home address on one side and your destination on the other.

Put an a4 sheet with you name and address on top of your clothes inside your case. As will as external labels.

@chemenger Terrible advice! Not sure where you got any of that from?

I Just said what I do. I got it from my lived life. Never lost a bag or had anything stolen. The not putting your home address on a luggage label is common knowledge, google it. Some airlines recommend not locking luggage. As a family we fly probably 30 times a year between us. (Full disclosure DH has had bags mislaid, usually on tight connections, they reappear pretty quickly).

Never use an external luggage label with your home address. It’s not necessary for the airline and it’s showing that your home Is empty.

If you must lock your case use TSA approved.

I’ve never used a luggage label in my life. You get sticky receipts at check in which tie in to the label check in put in your case.

I only use TSA locks on my cases too. Don’t know why Spanishwife says the advice given is terrible. It’s the best advice given. That from another who flies multiple times a year.

I always externally label luggage with my flight numbers and destination address. I have had luggage go missing and it got delivered to my hotel 24hours later. I have also had somebody else's luggage padlock placed on my bag. I only noticed once I had cleared customs. I had to go back to security & they used bolt cutters on the lock then thoroughly searched my bag just in case anything had been planted in it. My tags are made of extremely hard plastic and these ones have lasted about 15 years which I think is good going.

I have just returned from a trip to the states. I didn’t attach any luggage labels, totally forgot to be honest, just relied on the sticky airline labels and have a brightly coloured hard shell case with a rainbow luggage strap. Due to a short connection it didn’t arrive at destination until late on the day after I arrived over there, but made it no problems. As an infrequent overseas traveller I was impressed to find a wee form inside my combination locked suitcase to tell me it had been opened, searched and relocked after I’d checked it in on way home. Had no clue they could do that.

I haven't labelled my cases for years. I do have a sticky label inside with my name and phone number but nothing on the outside.

I have distinctive luggage, I take photo before I travel long distance. I keep valuables in my hand luggage. I've had luggage delayed and it's been delivered by the airline the next day.