Airlines lose or mishandle tens of millions of suitcases and other items of checked baggage every year. This represents a very small percentage of the bags actually handled, but for anyone whose bag was lost, it represents inconvenience at the very least, and a potential loss of irreplaceable items from distant lands at the worst. A luggage tracker is a more reliable means of identifying luggage than the paper tags or flimsy identification often used.
In general, a luggage tracker is a tag that is attached to a traveler’s baggage before check in at the airport. The tag has a code on it that is linked to the owner’s personal information. Rather than displaying the person’s name, address, and phone number on a tag where anybody can read it, a luggage tracker has the company’s information on the tag, and the identification code on the tag is linked to the owner’s information in the company database. This prevents unscrupulous baggage handlers from gaining access to the addresses of people who are obviously not at home.
Luggage trackers are available in two main styles. The first is a sturdy tag that attaches to the luggage with a strong strap that is not likely to be broken or accidentally unfastened. The second style is a sticker that adheres firmly to any flat, smooth surface, though it must be rubbed into the fabric of some soft-sided luggage. Stickers are available for both inside and outside of suitcases.
The style of luggage tracker a person chooses is largely a matter of personal preference, as both types have compelling advantages. Stickers attach directly to the luggage and will remain even if the suitcase handle breaks. Tags attach to the handle or another location on the luggage and cannot be scraped off when rubbed against other luggage or equipment. It is up to the buyer to decide which works best for him or her.
Should the conventional paper luggage tags placed on suitcases by the airlines become lost, the bags may be considered untraceable and the luggage will end up being sold at auction. Adding a luggage tracker tag adds another level of security to the bag, providing a more enduring means of identification that can be traced from anywhere in the world. If the owner moves, a quick update to the database keeps the luggage trackers valid without the need to purchase anything else.