How to Make Luggage Easier to Spot

Co-authored by Amy Tan

Last Updated: January 12, 2022 Approved

After a long flight, the last thing you want to do is pull a dozen pieces of luggage off a baggage carousel to check which one is yours. From buying decorative luggage to creating custom tags and patches, there are many ways to make your luggage recognizable. Even with precautions, however, luggage can get lost, so always take measures to make your luggage easy to find in the event of loss.

Here are 11 ideas to help you get started.

1

Use a bright belt strap.

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Opt for one in a very bright color that will be easy to see from a distance. Secure it around your luggage after packing so your bag will be easy to spot at baggage claim.
- You can pick up a belt strap at any department store.

2

Embellish your luggage with stickers.

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Go for colorful stickers or sparkly stickers to make your bag especially striking. You can pick some up at a craft shop and use them to decorate your bag.
- This can be a great project if you have kids. They'll enjoy the process of decorating their luggage and it will also make traveling easier.
- You can buy letter stickers and use them to write your name on your bag, which can help identify it if it gets lost on your journey.

3

Decorate your luggage with bias tape.

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You can buy colorful strips of bias tape online or at a local craft store. Wrap bias tape around your luggage or glue bias tape in interesting patterns, like criss-cross patterns, along the tops or sides of your luggage to make it more noticeable.

4

Tie or stitch on fabric or ribbon.

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This simple decoration can make your luggage easy to spot in a baggage claim. Stop by a local craft store and pick up some decorative ribbon or fabric. This can be stitched on to your luggage or you can tie ribbons around the zippers and handles.^{[1]
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- If you see any sparkly fabric or ribbon, this can be a great choice as it's particularly noticeable.

5

Tie a neon bracelet to the handle.

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Neon is a great way to make your luggage noticeable. Many jewelry stores, especially those for younger people, carry bright neon bracelets. These can be secured to the handle of your bag, making it easy to spot in a crowded airport.^{[2]
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- Opt for a bracelet that can be tightly wrapped around your luggage, as this will prevent it from breaking or falling off. Try a cloth, knit, or rubber bracelet, for example, over a plastic one. Old friendship bracelets can work great here.
- If you have several bracelets wound around a luggage's handles, especially brightly colored one, this can really help your luggage stand out.

6

Opt for bright and noticeable personal tags.

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This can really make your luggage stand out at baggage claim. You can buy personal tags online or at some department stores. Look for personal tags that are a little more unique and noticeable.^{[3]
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- In general, go for bigger luggage tags as well. These will be much easier to see.
- You can also try a novelty tag. A novelty tag can be a tag personalized with your name or initials. You can also look for a funny tag, such as a tag shaped like a smiley face or emoji. Anything that's a little unusual or quirky can help your luggage stand out.^{[4]
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7

Personalize your luggage with unique patches.

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A variety of unique patches makes your luggage easy to notice. You can buy patches at many craft stores online and then stitch them onto your luggage. ^{[5]
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- You can use patches that reflect your personal taste and style. For example, if you're a horseback rider, have horse-related patches on your luggage.

8

Look for lanyards or zip ties.

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Lanyards can both decorate and identify your luggage. You can use one to attach a laminated piece of paper with your personal information on it. This way, not only will the zip tie or lanyard make your luggage more noticeable, it can be helpful if your luggage gets lost.^{[6]
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- Lanyards and zip ties are often sold in department stores.

9

Include a copy of your itinerary in your luggage.

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Airport workers can figure out where your luggage was supposed to end up in the event it went to the wrong destination.^{[7]
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10

Photograph your bags and their contents.

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Photographs serve as evidence of whatever is in your bag.This can come in handy during an emergency, as you may need to recall the contents of your bag to airport workers to help them locate it.^{[8]
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11

Make sure your bag has ID tags inside and out

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In the event an external ID tag falls, having a backup inside can help your bag find its way back to you if it gets lost.^{[9]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

Should you label your luggage?

Amy Tan
Travel Planner
Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.

Amy Tan

Travel Planner

Expert Answer

Yes! Be sure to always have a luggage tag on your suitcase with your email and phone number. Also, be sure to always include the country code with your phone number.

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Question

How can I personalize my luggage?

Amy Tan
Travel Planner
Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.

Amy Tan

Travel Planner

Expert Answer

Add unique details. To make your suitcase more distinctive, put a colorful luggage belt around it or add stickers to the bag.

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Question

What is the best color for luggage?

Amy Tan
Travel Planner
Amy Tan is a Travel Planner and the Founder of Planet Hoppers, a boutique travel design team founded in 2002. Planet Hoppers specializes in brainstorming and creating itineraries for dream vacations, honeymoons, exotic adventures, family reunions, and group trips. Planet Hoppers is a TRUE accredited travel agency and a member of the Signature Travel Network, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and Travel Leaders. Amy earned a BA in Communications and a BS in Physics from the University of California, Davis in 2000.

Amy Tan

Travel Planner

Expert Answer

Avoid using a black suitcase. Suitcases are now sold in many colors and styles that will help you spot your luggage easily. Black is the most common color, so your luggage will just look like everyone else's.

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Tips

Decorate your luggage while you have time. Do not wait until the morning before you depart for your trip.

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It can help to buy noticeable luggage as well. Look for a suitcase with a unique design or one that comes in a bright color.

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