Flyers are constantly looking for effective ways to spot their bags on a crowded carousel, but experts warn against the rising trend of personalised luggage tags.
With travel delays, endless queues and cancellations, flying can be a nightmare and the last thing you want to do is linger in the airport.
Luggage tags help you identify your bags and get out faster, whilst adding a bit of flair. Travel enough and it’s only a matter of time until an airline loses your bags, so they’re important items to have.
However, experts have issued a stark warning about the information you put on them. The tags could end up being “more risky than stylish”, warns 1st Move International.
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They report personalised luggage tags have featured in over 1.8 million posts on TikTok and the search for “what info to put on luggage tag” have risen by 4,600% in the last 90 days.
The moving firm has shared their tips on what information to include and what to avoid, as they could be unintentionally compromising your security.
Mike Harvey, Managing Director at 1st Move International, comments: “When creating luggage tags for your suitcases, it’s crucial to balance providing essential contact information with protecting your personal security.”
Here’s a guide to what you should include and avoid, courtesy of 1st Move.
What to include on your luggage tags
- Full name: Use your full name as it appears on your passport. This helps assist airline staff in locating and safely returning your belongings if they go missing.
- Phone number: List a phone number with the country code for quick communication.
- Email address: Include an email address for additional contact, especially for international trips. Consider using a separate travel email address to keep it distinct from your personal one.
Information to avoid putting on luggage tags
- Home address: For your privacy and security, avoid including your full home address.
- Details of valuables: Avoid mentioning any valuable items inside your suitcase to prevent drawing unwanted attention.
- Travel plans and destinations: Keep your travel itinerary and destination details private to prevent misuse of your information.
- Sensitive information: To protect your personal identity, refrain from including personal identification numbers such as national insurance or passport numbers. This includes avoiding details of travel insurance policy numbers.