UK Holidaymakers Urged To Make 2-Second Luggage Tag Switch Before Checking In Bags

HuffPost UK HuffPost UK —

Before you send your suitcase tootling off along the checked baggage conveyor belt this summer, do a once-over of your luggage tag placement. 

That’s the advice from travel expert Emily Matthews, of https://privateportugaltours.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Private Portugal Tours, who has warned that leaving your luggage tag on full display could reveal a lot of sensitive information to opportunists. 

What should you do with luggage tags before flying?

In short: flip the information so it’s not on display.

Matthews said: “I regularly see suitcases with the owner’s full name, mobile number and even home address openly displayed.

“Most travellers are simply trying to make their bag easier to return, but they may also be allowing complete strangers to read sensitive information.”

If your luggage does become lost, airline staff can easily pull the luggage tag out and turn it around to find the relevant contact information. 
“Think about how much somebody could learn from one quick photograph of that tag,” Matthews continued.

Why keeping your details hidden is a smart move

Unfortunately, scams are on the rise – and artificial intelligence (AI) is only making it easier for criminals to target people. 

More than four million cases in which money was lost occurred in 2025 – with almost £1.3bn stolen by scammers, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwykp9ygxlvo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UK Finance warned.

“A name, telephone number and home address may be enough to target someone with scam messages, nuisance calls or attempts to find further information online,” said Matthews.
“If you are flying abroad, displaying your address could also advertise the fact that you may be away from home.

There is rarely any need for every person passing your suitcase to have access to those details.” 

She added: “The luggage tag can still serve its purpose when the card is facing backwards.

Airline or airport staff dealing with a misplaced suitcase can open or turn the tag over if they need to identify its owner.

“You are simply preventing fellow passengers and other passers-by from reading everything at a glance.”

Similarly, the travel expert warned parents flying with children not to add several names, telephone numbers and addresses to suitcases. 

While it’s understandable you want to be able to have your baggage returned to you – especially if flying with children – Matthews warned that it can result in an entire family’s personal details being visible in a busy public space.

What to include on your luggage tag

Her advice is to only include a mobile number with the correct international dialling code and an email address.

But not a home address.

“One reliable contact number is generally more sensible than displaying unnecessary information,” she added.

For international travellers or those switching flights to get to their destination, https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/what-to-put-on-luggage-tag" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Travel + Leisure recommends also including the address of your hotel or residence so your luggage can be redirected to you if it becomes lost.

Matthews ended: “You would not walk through the airport holding up a card containing your name, telephone number and home address, so your suitcase should not be doing it on your behalf.”

Related...

Read full article at HuffPost UK →