luggage identification?

[Princess-Less]

Hi Leaving next weekend, first plane trip for the kids, first flight in about 9 years for us adults. I think I'm pretty caught up on all the rules and regs,etc...but how do you frequent fliers choose to identify your luggage? Is it acceptable to just put first initial and last name on the luggage ID tags with a cell phone number? (I do not want our home address, phone, etc in plain view, or is this no big deal?). I found a roll of lime green masking tape to help identify our bags as well, but my main question is what info is absolutely necesary on the exterior ID tag?

We are taking ME... so we will apply the yellow tags, but will also have another ID tag attached to each piece of luggage. I also saw on here to put another ID inside the bag...will do that too. Any tips from frequent fliers? We are looking forward to our trip Thanks!

 

[bavaria]

my luggage is an unusual colour - Samsonite X'ion's steel blue. I was actually tempted to get the burnt orange but they do not sell that much in North America.

I use pinkish purple leather luggage tags from Wilsons Leather on all my luggage. The combination certainly makes it easy to identify my luggage (plus the X'ion is rather unusual in shape)

I place a business card inside my luggage, inside the luggage tag, and inside one of the outside pockets.

Since my business cards have all my contact information ie cel, office, email it is the most complete option. I don't need to worry about personal information being shared either.

 

[bavaria]

and frankly the most common bag I see on the luggage carousel every week is black, with a red ribbon tied onto it.

Choose another colour of luggage, or at least avoid the red ribbon and select a different identifier.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

My family uses 2 or 3 Walt Disney World luggage tags with our information written on the inside so when see the WDW tags we know that those pieces of luggage belong to my family and I, because every time we fly no other bags at baggage claim have WDW tags.

 

[rlrx]

I used the idea of the lime green Mickeys from Home Depot but got some brightly colored Mickeys and made my own luggage tags from them. I know I put our Disney hotel info on one side and our home info on the other (I put two Mickeys-back to back and laminated them). I also made ID tags for the kids the same way.

 

[dudspizza]

I think everyone is a bit off topic.... Name and cell phone is fine. Maybe put the rest of your info inside of the bag in the pocket.

Now, to identify my luggage, I use the lime green Mickey Head paint chips from Home Depot. I bought the self laminating pouches at Walmart and put one of each piece of luggage, plus my laptop bag and camera bag. I also put all of my info on one of the mickey heads and used packaging tape to tape it to the bottom of my laptop since we have to take the laptop out of the bag for security..

Have a great trip!

Duds

 

[bavaria]

duds has good advice about the laptop - so many go through security, and I often see people leave theirs behind or reach for the wrong one. Tape a business card or other identifier on the top lid so that you can easily spot yours.

 

[safetymom]

Be sure to put a copy of your itinerary inside your suitcase in case the tags go missing on the outside. Be sure it has contact info on it. That way if there is a problem they can find you.

 

[Princess-Less]

I think everyone is a bit off topic.... Name and cell phone is fine. Maybe put the rest of your info inside of the bag in the pocket.

Thanks!! Just wanted to be sure that name/cell phone would be enough personal info for the outside of the bag, the more detailed personal info I will put inside of each bag. And, will try to put some interesting markings on the outside of our (black!) luggage Also...I have not come across the self-laminating luggage tag things...that sounds like what I need, I'll keep looking...I presume they would be in the area of the store with all of the luggage?

Thanks everyone for the ideas.

 

[zulaya]

I just got lime green luggage over Xmas...not my favorite color, but people won't be picking mine off the conveyor!

I don't worry about my address and such being outside. I have people watching my house when I am gone and if someone from MCO wants to try and get up to MN while I am gone and try and find my house...it's probably too much effort for someone looking to snag something fast.

Slightly OT...the best luggage identifier I ever saw was on our 2nd trip ever to WDW. It was a black bag. Someone has put grey Duct Tape (yep, that's right Duct Tape ) around the side perimeter. They they also took a marker and wrote on the tape, "This is not your bag."

I just about peed my pants when I saw that. It was too funny. Not something I would do personally, but very entertaining.

 

[bavaria]

I think everyone is a bit off topic.... Name and cell phone is fine. Maybe put the rest of your info inside of the bag in the pocket.

The thread title 'luggage identification?' is perhaps misleading - I believe that the OP is asking 'how do you label your luggage?' rather than 'how do you identify your luggage?' Hence the responses referring to identifying ones luggage on the baggage carousel.

 

[pezheadmeg]

I just write my town and state with my last name on the luggage tag. I use bright smiley face luggage tags which are easy to spot on the carousel. That's all the info the airline needs to track down a passenger. On the outside pocket is the name and the cell phone #.

As for indentifying the bags, I use adhesive fabric tape in a polka dotted pattern. It's the only bag with polka dot trim! We had one time where the luggage tags didn't come in time. The ME people had no problem finding and pulling the bag with the polka dot trim!

 

[bab31]

I think everyone is a bit off topic.... Name and cell phone is fine. Maybe put the rest of your info inside of the bag in the pocket.

Now, to identify my luggage, I use the lime green Mickey Head paint chips from Home Depot. I bought the self laminating pouches at Walmart and put one of each piece of luggage, plus my laptop bag and camera bag. I also put all of my info on one of the mickey heads and used packaging tape to tape it to the bottom of my laptop since we have to take the laptop out of the bag for security..

Have a great trip!

Duds

I know this is off topic but I think I will try to create a luggage tag of sorts for everyone in my extended family who is flying to San Fran for a family reunion..thanks for the idea!

 

[drew64]

If avaialbe, you should always use a business card and also tag all carry-on bags also to avoid confusion.
I would not put my home address on th etags. no someone from MCO isn't going to drive to your home town to rob you, but those, behind the scenes, baggage handlers in your home town airport - say Newark or Philly- have plenty of time to jot down your information and visit your house while you are gone.

 

[Princess-Less]

Sorry if the title was confusing. All of the suggestions are great for both issues, it is helpful to hear any helpful hints from those who travel by plane more often than we do! Keep 'em coming if there are any more great suggestions...thanks to everyone. Any more info on where to find the self laminating tags I have not come across them yet. I have printed out (on cardstock paper) Disney luggage ID tags for the kids' small carryons, with only their name and my cell phone for ID purposes. I suppose I could laminate the whole sheet somewhere and cut them into pieces, but a self laminating tag sounds easier.....

 

[bavaria]

I've seen the self laminating tags in the label section of office supply stores.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

In regards to luggage tag, I was buying some stuff online from a travel store and ran across a relatively "new" idea. They are call Retriver baggage tags. they are bright yellow and the outside has printing in eight languages telling the baggage personnel to open if the luggage is lost. you are supposed to put your itenary (flight number etc) and your hotel info/dates so that they can send the luggage to your desination rather than back to your home! I make the assumption that is is in addition to your regular tag.
if you are interested the location is: magellans dot com and type in luggage tags in the site search!

Pirate Translation:
Arrhhhh arrgghhh! I wants 'ta keep me seabag safe on long voyages, so's to be of peacful mind, methinks a special mark upon me seabag, and me dittybag be a smart thing! A few preperations A'for sett'in sail on voyages show that ye be a right smart lad. It might even save ye from hav'in 'ta pull yer saber on 'ta keeper of sea trunk's and sea bags at the port of the silver birds so's 'ta have 'em return that which be yer's. Arrhhh arrgghh!