How to correctly identify your suitcase?

You want to make your easily identifiable suitcase, but you don't know where to start?

Identifying your luggage is a crucial step when planning a trip. One piece of missing information and your entire suitcase ends up lost in the wilderness...

You don't want your most expensive clothes or products to end up out of your reach? You also don't want to wait 72 hours hoping (in the best case scenario!) to find your luggage?

Don't worry, we are specialists in this topic and we know exactly how to help you!

There are two ways to properly identify your suitcase: luggage tags and suitcase covers. These products should be used in train stations, on trains, and at airports to minimize the risk of lost suitcases.

In this article you will discover:

• For what identification is she out of her suitcase primordial ?
• How to return your suitcase 100% traceable ?
• What are the rules to follow depending on the means of transport?

Luggage identification will no longer hold any secrets for you! And you will finally be able to travel with peace of mind to the four corners of the globe.

Enough wasting time, let's get to the heart of the matter!

Identifying your suitcase: everything you need to know

Before getting to the heart of the matter and seeing how to properly identify your suitcase, it is important to lay the foundations to understand what we are going to talk about.

So let's start together by discovering the history and usefulness of suitcase labels and covers.

1 – Luggage tags

The luggage tag: a little-known origin!

First, let's look at the history of luggage tags.

They were first introduced in 1900, and at that time they were not only used as a means of tracking the traveler's suitcase!

In fact, in the 20th century, luggage, also called trunks, was made of rigid materials.

At that time, the main purpose of the labels was to provide free advertising for the hotel visited.

Concierges would "stick" a label in the form of an advertisement upon arrival. Travel in the 1900s wasn't as democratized as it is today, so travelers with the most labels stuck to their trunks were considered a sign of wealth in the eyes of society.

A double interest on the one hand for the hotel and the traveler to distinguish themselves from their social class.

What is a luggage tag used for in 2022?

Nowadays we use the labels like a security means for the traceability of our personal affairs in order to find easily our suitcase on the baggage carousel.

On the distinctive side, nowadays, all suitcases look the same. You only have to go to an airport to see it! It is therefore essential to make sure you choose a luggage tag that is identifiable by his color, his shape, and enough resistant to follow you to the four corners of the world!

In general, they are composed of 3 parts :

- A strap to attach it to your suitcase

– A rigid part with transparent window which will be identifiable according to your desires and your personality

– A “cardboard” that will fit into the window of the rigid location where it will be written your personal details. (We will detail this point together just after)

As for security, every airline is required to provide you with a tag, both to combat terrorism and to avoid paying heavy compensation to passengers in the event of loss.

They will be mostly paper and each traveler will be able (if this is mandatory) to complete it with 4 main pieces of information:

• His name
• His first name
• His address
• A means of contact

We will see later in this article the means of transport or the label is mandatory.

2 – What is the point of a suitcase cover?

Much more recent than labels, suitcase covers began to become more widespread in 2017.

They are generally composed 2 key elements which adapt to 95% suitcases on the market:

• A stretchy material
• A zipper

Thanks to them, you can now have peace of mind for all your trips!

In fact, they perform two main functions:

• Discourage all attempted thefts by an individual.
• Visit protection of your luggage if he is mistreated by airport or ship staff

How does the luggage cover keep your belongings safe?

Nowadays, there are 3 types of materials for suitcases:

• Flexible and wheelless: like hiking, travel, trekking bags... Practical for moving around easily provided you pay attention to the capacity in relation to your body shape
• Semi-rigid: a soft 2-wheel suitcase with a trolley for example like the model Eastpak TranverzThis allows additional freedom on the maximum capacity if you want to add a last-minute souvenir 😉
• Rigid with 4 wheels and a trolley for greater maneuverability and maximum comfort. The weak point is focused on the maximum capacity, which is non-negotiable when shopping on site, and also on the random resistance of the zippers (depending on the brand).

Our suitcase covers fit 2 types : semi-rigid and rigid.

These suitcases, over the course of your travels and with natural wear and tear, may accidentally open on the baggage carousel.

You will therefore understand the significant benefit of a suitcase cover to prevent your underwear from being exposed to the light of all the travelers!

How do suitcase covers deter theft?

A cover is put on from the top, it is designed to fit perfectly to the centimeter of your suitcase, therefore the action of removing it takes time.

Anyone trying to force their way into your luggage will naturally be deterred by the extra time this accessory adds.

At the time of writing, suitcase covers are still far from being completely democratized, so a malicious person will prefer to attack suitcases with simple padlocks which open in less than 30 seconds using a Bic pen rather than your suitcase being fully protected by a cover.

We will conclude this theme to strongly encourage you in the future for these two means of identification.

Where is identification mandatory?

We now have a clearer picture of the methods used to properly identify your suitcase. Now it's time to learn about the means of transport where luggage identification is still mandatory.

Let's prepare together to avoid unpleasant surprises with the three most used means of transport in the world.

1 – On the plane

As seen previously, luggage tags were a major element for the identification and traceability of your suitcases. Today, for your checked luggage a label with a barcode is systematically affixed by a member of the airline on your suitcase.

For your cabin baggage, the labeling also remains OBLIGATORYHowever, if you do not have a label, the company will provide you with a paper one. (We recommend that you have your own label to quickly identify your suitcase upon arrival!)

2 – On a cruise

Same fight as for the plane! The labels are mandatory and the operation remains the same. For boarding, you will have received labels with a barcode sent by the cruise line in advance.

These will be used to facilitate traceability and the smooth running of boarding as well as the routing from your suitcase to your cabin.

As for hand luggage, tags are also mandatory once on board.

3 – On the train

Since 2004, the labeling of suitcases in TGV and Corail trains is rendered mandatory under penalty of fine and destruction of your baggage considered as a “suspicious package”.

• If there is no impact on traffic, you will be issued a ticket and a fine of €216 will be payable.
• If there are any consequences for traffic, the SNCF can file a complaint against you, as this is an offense of carelessness.

Combine design and protection for your suitcases now!

As you will have understood, correctly identifying your suitcase is one of the keys to ensuring a good security and traceability on personal belongings and generally identification remains obligatory on all means of shared transport.

With all this information, you now understand the importance of having a luggage tag that stands out from the rest, as well as a good suitcase cover that matches your personality.

That's why we suggest you take a look at our collections of luggage tags as well as our suitcase covers so that you are the best prepared possible for all your trips around the world!

Discover them now!