Airports And Luggage Tags: What's The Deal?

When you arrive at the airport to catch a flight, you check in at a counter or a machine, where you get your boarding pass. This is also where your bags begin their journey. After checking in, you hand over your luggage to the airline staff, who will put a tag on it. This tag is mandatory and includes a barcode and your flight information. It tells airport staff which plane your bag needs to board and where it needs to go. It's like a passport for your luggage. If a bag doesn't have a tag, it won't be allowed on the plane. Most airports provide luggage tags for free, and you can also use a personal luggage tag as a backup.

Luggage tags are available for free at almost all airport ticket counters

The luggage tag you get at the airport is your bag's ID for the trip. It has a barcode and your flight information. This tells airport staff which plane your bag needs to board and where it needs to end up. It's like a name tag at a big event, letting everyone know who your bag is with and where it's supposed to be. These tags are important, and if a bag doesn't have one, it won't be allowed on the plane.

You can also use a personal luggage tag, which you can buy at a store or online. These often come in bright colours and fun shapes, and you can write your name and contact information on them. It's a good idea to use a personal tag as a backup in case the airport's tag gets lost or torn off. A personal tag can also help you spot your bag quickly at the baggage carousel.

Some airlines now offer self-tagging, where you can print your own baggage tags at home or at a self-service kiosk in the airport, before proceeding to the baggage drop-off counter.

You can also print your own luggage tags at home

Printing your own luggage tags at home is a quick and easy way to save time at the airport. It's also a great option if you're heading out on business travel and want to ensure that any lost equipment makes its way back to the office.

If you have plastic luggage tag holders, you'll need to measure the space in the tag before you start designing. If you need luggage tag holders, you can buy packages of blank ones at office supply stores. If you don't have tag holders and plan to use labels instead, you have more freedom in your design. Consider the space where you'll be placing the tag and design it accordingly.

If you have Microsoft Office, you can use Microsoft's online template gallery to find a pre-designed tag and fill it in with your information. Open Word, click "File", then "New", and type "tags", "address tags", or "luggage" into the search bar. Browse through the results for a template that suits your aesthetic, then select it and click "Download" to import it into Word. Then, double-click on any element of the tag to change it to include your information.

You don't need to rely on Microsoft's template gallery, though. You can use Word to create a blank document with your information, which you can then print and affix to your luggage. To do this, open Word and click "Page Layout", then "Size", and then "More paper sizes" at the bottom of the list. Enter the size for the label, then add text or a photo element to complete the design. You can include your company's contact information and logo using the text and image tools in Word, and leave a space blank for the name of the traveller.

After you've designed your tag, printing it is just like printing any other document. Click "File", then "Print", and "Print preview" in Word to see how your label looks.

You can also use online design platforms such as Canva to create your own luggage tags. Canva offers hundreds of ready-made and customisable luggage labels, allowing you to experiment with different fonts, graphics, images, and textures to create a tag that's uniquely yours.

Electronic luggage tags are also available

Yes, many airports provide luggage tags for free at the check-in counter. They are very useful if you've forgotten to attach your own tags. However, if you prefer, you can also buy sturdier luggage tags beforehand. Alternatively, some airlines offer self-tagging services, where you can print your baggage tags at a self-service kiosk before attaching them to your bags and proceeding to the baggage drop-off counter.

• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2: This tag has a battery life of up to 1.5 years and is compatible with Android 11 or later.
• Knog Scout Travel: This tag combines digital contact information, a highly accurate luggage finder, and an 85dB motion-sensitive alarm. It is compatible with iOS devices only.
• Reyke Smart Tag: This tag works with Apple Find My and is compatible with iOS devices only. It is also IP67 waterproof.
• Dynotag Web-Enabled Smart Luggage Tag: This tag has a lifetime recovery service and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
• Apple AirTag: This tag is simple to install for Apple users and utilizes the Find My app.

Personal luggage tags are a good idea as a backup

When you arrive at the airport to catch a flight, you will need to check in and hand over your luggage to the airline staff. They will put a tag on it, which serves as a bag ID with a barcode and your flight information. This tag is essential, as it tells the airport staff which plane your bag needs to go on and where it needs to end up.

However, personal luggage tags are also a good idea as a backup. These are the tags that you can buy at a store or online, which often come in bright colours and fun shapes, and allow you to write your name and contact information on them.

Firstly, personal tags are useful in case the airport tag gets torn off or lost. If your bag gets lost, the airline can use your personal tag to call or email you, helping with the lost and found process.

Secondly, personal tags can help you to spot your bag quickly. If you're waiting by the baggage carousel and all the bags look similar, a bright, personalised tag will help your bag stand out.

In addition, some airlines suggest adding the address of where you're going, rather than where you live, to help them send your bag to the right place if it gets lost. It's also a good idea to remove old tags to avoid confusion about where your bag should go.

Finally, if you're printing your own baggage tags at home, remember that print-at-home tags must be inserted into reusable tag holders and attached to your bags.

Airlines encourage the use of personal tags to help find lost luggage

Airlines encourage the use of personal luggage tags to help identify and locate lost baggage. While airlines do provide luggage tags at check-in, these are often flimsy paper tags that may not survive the journey. Therefore, it is recommended to bring your own durable luggage tags. These can be purchased or made at home, and should include key information such as your name, email address, and phone number. It is also a good idea to include the address of your hotel or residence for international travel.

To further reduce the risk of losing your luggage, you can use a luggage tracker such as Tile Mate or Apple AirTag, which can be attached to the inside of your bag. Additionally, taking photographs of your bags and their contents, as well as your luggage receipts, can be helpful in the event of a lost bag.

Some other tips to consider when tagging your luggage include:

• Using bright colours or personalized designs to make your bag stand out
• Limiting personal information on external tags to protect your privacy
• Matching the name on the luggage tag with the name on your ticket to facilitate faster contact by the airline
• Using a variety of tags, such as internal tags, external tags, and luggage handle wraps, to increase the chances of your bag being identified and returned

Frequently asked questions