Pro Tips To Keep Your Checked Luggage Safe When You Fly This Summer
Picture this: You’ve just landed in a dreamy summer destination, ready for sun-soaked adventures. But when your bag finally arrives on the carousel, something feels… off. That new designer accessory? Gone. Your charger? Missing. Sound familiar?
Unfortunately, you’re not alone.
Each year, millions of travelers entrust their belongings to airlines—only to face the frustration of mishandled, misplaced, or even pilfered luggage.
Surprisingly, there were shocking 36 million bags that were treated badly across the world last year, reported by IT company SITA. And as summer road trips begin to rev into gear, it is increasingly key to use defense in your luggage game.
Whether you’re a veteran jet-setter or you’re perhaps flying for the first time in years, for the unpacked among us, here’s your updated summer survival guide for keeping your checked baggage safe.
1. Pack With Purpose: Leave Valuables at Home (or in Your Carry-On)
Let’s get it out there: Don’t ever Pack any valuables in the checked in luggage.
I mean electronics, jewelry, top end accessories – even that posh cologne – needs to accompany you in your carry-on. Airlines and other carriers often have fine print stipulations that offer no liability for such items so that when they are lost, you’re probably both screwed and out of your money.
As seasoned traveler Dana Kampman puts it, “Checked bags go through a maze of hands and machines. Why take the risk?”
2. Get A Proof: Photograph Everything
In the age of smartphones, picture is worth a thousand dollars – if something goes missing.
Before zipping your bag shut do this:
- Snap photos of the contents and the bag’s interior.
- Snap a picture or a video of the exterior of the bag with an airline tag clearly identifying the destination.
Ensure you save those photos and videos on cloud for easy access. If you will have to make a claim, you will have sound evidence of what was lost.
3. Invest in Smarter Luggage
Currently, zipper is no longer enough to keep your belongings safe, and so you should utilize the tamper-proof and theft-deterrent luggage.
Look for features like:
- Hard-shell cases with clasp locks
- Zipperless closures
- Built-in TSA-approved locks
In fact, Frank Harrison, an expert in security at World Travel Protection states that regular zippers can be penetrated in a matter of seconds, only using a pen and fixed back again with no trace. Therefore, you should be wary of that.
4. Utilize Tracking Tools
Why guess where your bag is when you can track it in real time?
Simple gadgets as Apple AirTags, Tile, or GPS-enabled smart tags enable you to track down your bag’s journey at times even better than the airline’s system.
And if you want to add a little extra security attach a luggage tag that reads “This bag is GPS-tracked.” According to RV CEO Eamonn Turley who did his own testing on this, the tag alone can be enough to deter the bad behavior of opportunistic handlers.
Bonus tip: Use a couple of trackers two or three trackers – just in case one fails.
5. Make It Hard for Thieves
This is another trick that you don’t need spy-level gear—just a little creativity and frequent flyer Kevin Mercier swears by this method:
“I wrap small valuables inside clothes and pack them deep in the center of my suitcase. It makes them harder to reach quickly.”
Remember, thieves operate in time-limited windows. Therefore, the longer it takes to access something, the less likely it is to be stolen.
6. Think Outside the Carousel: Use Luggage Shipping Services
If you’re traveling with expensive equipment or cannot be stalled, the luggage forwarding services like LugLess or Luggage Forward are worth your consideration.
Rather than carting bags around cow pastures and being directed to quarters that smell of vomit, you can have your bags shipped directly to your hotel or Airbnb. It is costlier than the standard baggage fees but the amount of peace of mind and lower risk of loss may be worth it.
7. If the Worst Happens, Report It Immediately
Time is everything when filing a lost or stolen baggage claim. As soon as you realize something’s missing:
- Report it to the airline before leaving the airport.
- File a report with airport authorities.
- Get documentation: Note: you’ll need this for travel insurance or credit card protection.
Some insurance plans include lost luggage coverage. But without official paperwork? Your chances of reimbursement are slim.
In Summary: Don’t Leave It to Luck
Your air travel has enough surprises, so don’t let missing belongings be one.
Thus, this summer, get smarter than this system. Pack light, do wise tracking and celebrate the safety of your suitcase as if it contained treasure. Since it essentially does contribute to you, it probably does to you.
Checklist to Keep Your Checked Bag Safe:
✅ No valuables in checked luggage
✅ TSA-approved locks
✅ Photos of bag and contents
✅ GPS tracker inside
✅ Use shipping services for extra security
✅ File immediate reports if anything is missing
Don’t have a ruined vacation because of a mismanaged bag. Fly intelligent and take your luggage to the best chance of arriving in one piece!
