Don't miss our holiday offer - up to 50% OFF!
Luggage Locks, Straps and Trackers: Protecting a Bag in Transit
Which accessory solves which problem, why TSA-approved locks matter, what a strap is really for, how Bluetooth trackers behave, and what to do if a bag goes missing.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Most luggage does not get stolen. It gets burst open by an overfilled zip, misrouted by a stale barcode, or picked up off the belt by a stranger with an identical black suitcase. Locks, straps and trackers each solve one of those problems, and understanding which problem each one solves stops you buying the wrong thing.
What each accessory is actually for
| Item | Problem it solves | What it does not do |
|---|---|---|
| Lock | Casual opportunistic opening; keeps zips closed in transit | Stop a determined thief — a soft bag can be cut, and most zips can be defeated |
| Strap | Burst zips and popped latches on a full case; identification on the belt | Secure the bag against theft |
| Tracker | Tells you where a delayed bag actually is | Get the bag back on its own — it gives you information to act on |
| Tag | Reuniting a found bag with you | Survive the handling system reliably; put details inside too |
Realistic expectations matter here. Nothing on this list makes checked luggage secure in the way a safe is secure. What they do is remove the easy failures, which is most of the failures.
Locks
Two useful jobs: deterring the casual hand, and keeping zip pulls from working open as the bag is thrown around.
- Use a TSA-recognised lock for any bag going into a US-bound hold. Screeners who need to inspect a bag will open a non-approved lock by cutting it off, and the bag then travels unsecured for the rest of the journey.
- Cable locks are more versatile than padlocks. A flexible cable threads through awkward zip pulls that a rigid shackle will not reach, and it can also tether a bag to a fixed object in a hostel or a station.
- Combination beats key. A lost luggage key at an airport is a genuinely miserable problem.
- Set your own combination and do not leave it on the factory default of 000.
- Check the inspection indicator if the lock has one — it tells you whether the bag was opened in transit, which is useful if anything is missing.
A set of cable luggage locks covers a suitcase and a second bag, which is usually the right quantity — a lock in a drawer at home protects nothing.
Straps
The most underrated item on the list, because it addresses the failure that actually happens most: a full case whose zip parts company with its teeth somewhere inside a baggage system, or a hardside latch that pops under a heavy load.
- Put the strap around the case the short way, across the zip line, so it holds the two shells together where they are most likely to separate.
- Pull it snug but not crushing — you want the case supported, not deformed.
- Choose a bright colour or a pattern. Half the value of a strap is spotting your bag on a belt of identical black cases from twenty feet away.
- Look for a strap with an ID window so your contact details travel with it.
- Use two on a very full or very old case, one near each end.
A set of adjustable luggage straps is inexpensive, weighs almost nothing, and is the difference between a slightly stressed zipper and a suitcase that arrives half empty.
Trackers
A Bluetooth tracker in a checked bag changes the conversation at the baggage desk from “we are looking into it” to “it is at the airport you flew from, in the baggage hall”. That is a genuinely different negotiation.
- Understand how they work. Most consumer trackers have no GPS of their own; they report position when they come within Bluetooth range of a phone in the same network. In an airport, that means updates are frequent. In a remote warehouse, they may not be.
- Put it somewhere central, not in an outer pocket — range through a packed case is limited.
- Check the battery before every trip. A dead tracker is worse than none, because you will trust it.
- Airlines generally permit them in checked baggage, as small devices with coin cells. Rules do change, so check if you are unsure.
- Be polite about it. Showing a baggage agent your tracker screen helps; leading with it as an accusation does not.
Tags, inside and out
External tags get ripped off by belts and chutes with striking regularity. Use one, but also put a card inside the bag, on top of the contents, with your name, phone number and email — and your destination address for the outbound leg. When a bag loses its external tag, that card is how it finds you.
Remove old airline stickers before every trip. Stale barcodes confuse automated sorting, and misrouting caused by an old tag is a real and entirely avoidable category of lost bag.
What should never be in the hold
- Passports, tickets, keys and cash.
- Medication — in original packaging, in the bag that stays with you.
- Laptops, cameras and anything else fragile or expensive.
- Lithium power banks and spare batteries, which airlines require to travel in the cabin.
- Anything irreplaceable, for the simple reason that it is irreplaceable.
All of that belongs in the bag at your feet. An under-seat bag holds the lot and never leaves you, which is the real security measure in this article.
If a bag does go missing
- Report it before you leave the airport. A claim filed at the desk is far easier than one filed from home.
- Get the reference number and keep the baggage receipt from check-in.
- Photograph everything — ideally you did this before travelling as well.
- Ask what the airline will reimburse for essentials in the interim, and keep every receipt.
- Check your travel insurance and card benefits. Delayed-baggage cover is common and frequently unused.
Frequently asked questions
Are luggage locks worth it?
For deterring casual opening and keeping zips shut in transit, yes. They will not stop a determined thief, and nobody should expect them to.
Do I need a TSA-approved lock?
For bags travelling into or through the US, yes. Screeners can open an approved lock with a master key; a non-approved one gets cut off.
Cable lock or padlock?
Cable, usually. It reaches awkward zip pulls a rigid shackle cannot, and it can tether a bag to something fixed.
What is a luggage strap for?
Keeping a full case closed if a zip or latch fails, and making the bag identifiable on a carousel. It is not a security device.
Can I put a Bluetooth tracker in a checked bag?
Airlines generally allow small coin-cell trackers in checked luggage. Check your carrier if in doubt, and place the tracker centrally inside the bag.
Should I wrap my suitcase in plastic?
It protects against scuffing and casual opening, but it costs money at every airport and generates a lot of waste. A strap plus a lock covers most of the same ground.
Where should my contact details go?
Both outside and inside. External tags get torn off; a card sitting on top of your clothes does not.
What do I do first if my bag does not arrive?
File a report at the airport before you leave, get the reference number, and keep the check-in receipt and all subsequent expense receipts.