Remove the old, add the new
Before each trip, peel off old airport barcode stickers and tags from previous journeys. Automated baggage systems scan barcodes, and an outdated sticker can confuse them or send your bag to the wrong place. It only takes a moment, and it is one of the simplest ways to reduce the chance of mishandling.
When you drop your bag, check the new tag the agent prints: the destination code should match where you are going. On AeroVista routes, for example, a bag heading to Lisbon should carry LIS and one to Split should say SPU.
What to write on a luggage tag
Your name, a mobile number and an email address are usually enough. Some travellers prefer not to display a home address on the outside of a bag; a work address or just phone and email work fine. A tag with a privacy flap keeps details out of casual view.
Put the same details on a card inside the bag too. External tags can be torn off by conveyor belts, and an inside label gives staff a second way to find you if the bag is opened during tracing.
Using a tracker
Small Bluetooth trackers that connect to your phone have become popular for luggage. Tucked into an inner pocket, they can show roughly where your bag is, which is reassuring at a busy carousel and genuinely useful if it goes astray. Make sure the tracker's battery type is acceptable in checked luggage; the common coin-cell types generally are, but check current guidance.
Remember that a tracker does not replace a formal report if your bag is missing. It is extra information you can share with the baggage service team.
Make it easy to recognise
Black suitcases of a similar size are everywhere. A coloured strap, a distinctive ribbon or a patterned cover makes your bag easier to spot and less likely to be picked up by mistake. Take a photo of the bag before you leave home, including any unique marks, so you can show staff exactly what you are looking for.
Finally, keep the baggage receipt the agent gives you, or the digital version in your booking. It carries the tag number that links you to your bag.
Good to know
- Peel off old barcode stickers before every flight.
- Put contact details both outside and inside your bag.
- Check that the destination code on your new bag tag is correct.