What Should I Put on Luggage Tags

Protecting Your Belongings with Luggage Tags

Few things can put a damper on a vacation or cause frustration on a business trip like luggage getting lost, stolen, or in other mishaps. An important item to remember when you are packing your suitcase is your luggage tag. Tags serve very important purposes, including allowing people to quickly and easily identify who the luggage belongs to, and provides essential contact information for returning lost or stolen luggage.

What Should I Put on Luggage Tags?: Deciding on Information

What you write on your luggage tags can be a personal decision; however there a couple of factors to keep in mind. Whatever information you do provide on your tags should make it easy for Airline or transportation employees to contact you in case luggage is mishandled or lost. Some people feel that providing too much information, however, can make it easier for burglars and identity thieves to commit crimes against you knowing a vacant home addresses when you are traveling and an arsenal of personal information that could be used against you.

So exactly what should you put on luggage tags?

• Name: Make sure you name (preferably as it is written on your airline tickets or boarding passes). Families traveling with multiples suitcases for family members can put one primary contact name, such as a parent on all suitcases.

• Cell phone number: If you carry a cell phone and can be contacted on it in the area you are traveling to, this is often the best way for the airlines to reach you.

• Hotel or destination phone number: Many individuals also place the hotel or destination phone number on luggage tags. This can be particularly helpful if you won't have cell phone access in the area you’re traveling, don't have a cell phone, or in case your phone battery dies, has limited access, or other technical difficulties.

• Alternate phone number: Having an alternate phone number, such as a voice mail line or someone you can trust to receive messages for you is a good option if you will be staying at more than one accommodation.

• Email address: This can be helpful if you will have access to e-mail on your travels. Emails from the airline can also be printed for reference and communication confirmation.

Some information is considered controversial in terms of travel safety to place on luggage tags. Some individuals feel that placing a home address is too much information as it makes it easily accessible to others, and possibly thieves, where you live. Home phone numbers are also considered controversial since potential thieves could access the address with a reverse phone number search.

Others feel, however, that having a home phone number and/or address is practical in case luggage is lost, mishandled, or stolen on the return trip and will allow personnel to contact them and/or ship luggage to their home address.

Some travelers may opt to place a cell phone, destination phone, or alternate phone number on one side, and a home phone number on the reverse side to cover all bases.

Deciding how much information you provide on a luggage tag is a personal choice; however keep in mind the primary goal it to make it identifiable and ensure the most accurate and relevant contact information is available.

More Luggage Tag Tips

• Write clearly or print the information you want luggage tags to contain so all information is legible.
• Consider durable, waterproof luggage tags to keep information from smearing or tags from tearing.
• Many travelers include luggage tags on each handle of a suitcase or bag for extra precaution in case one becomes loosened and lost.
• Opt for bright, distinctive tags to easily identify luggage among similar styles on a carousel.