Suitcase locks

[orlando novice]

just wondered if you had to lock your suitcases when flying to the states. We are flying Virgin and if we do have to, which locks are best to use??

 

[gilld]

TSA locks can be opened by US Customs for their inspection, but still complies with your travel insurance by keeping your luggage locked.

 

[Lisa1976]

You will find lots of posts on this subject. I never use a lock anymore, I always put plastic tags round the zip heads to secure them together, I certainly don't put anything of value in my suitcase anymore due to not being able to lock them. I have heard alot of good things about the TSA locks so may be worth giving them a go but the plastic garden ties are a cheaper option. Never had any problems.

HTH

Lisa

 

[orlando novice]

thanks very much, where is the best place to buy these locks or the plastic ties...

 

[wicket2005]

Cable ties from places like B & Q or Maplins.

Locks can be bought on the internet. If you run a search through this forum you will find suggestions from people who bought them from sites. I didn't bother and just bought some when I saw some at Sanford Airport on the return journey $6 for two. I used cable ties through luggage straps on the hard bodied cases and just a cheap padlock on the soft holdall. The cases were not opened either going or coming back.

 

[arieliwish]

I just got some indicator TSA locks, they show green when you lock them with the combination, and if the airport people (is that a technical term?) use their special key (!?) to open them, they show red to let you know they've been opened.

I ordered them from saversuk.com and they were £6.50 with free delivery (for 4) and they came within 2 days. The ones without the indicator on are cheaper.

 

[flounder]

They sell them for 8.99ea in Tesco, but I've just bought two at 4.99ea from House of Fraser!

 

[kevin harrison]

What about combination locks? do you just leave them set at the correct codes?

 

[orlando novice]

Does anyone know if its a necessity to have these type of locks or will the combination lock do.?

 

[arieliwish]

apparently if they want to be in your cases they have the right to cut your locks off, or any other way of getting into them I've heard, hence some people use cable ties!

Last year we didn't lock ours at all, but I believe some insurance companies won't cover loss of anything not locked!

That's why we've opted for the TSA locks - they are locked to everyone except the people with the TSA master keys. As ours are combination locks, we would spin the combination so they are locked, and on the side is a small keyhole for the TSA people to use. I would imagine its the same with a normal TSA key lock.

 

[susieh]

We now lock our suitcases with a TSA approved lock after our last trip to the US in April when one suitcase was forced open and broken because it did not have a TSA lock (had to buy a new suitcase on holiday).

Our other 2 suitcases are hardsided with integral locks. We are either going to replace them before next June or buy the TSA approved locking straps to go round them.

 

[Amyrlin]

I got them from a trader on ebay, £6 including postage

 

[nicknsara]

we too used ebay.we bought 10 locks for $35 and they arrived quicker than oure royal mail.we have a tesco extra store near usand the manager had never heard of the product!!!!

nick n sara

 

[mushumadness]

hiya

I just read this thread, I think the locks are a great idea, I was always worried about not locking my cases, so I have been over to ebay and bought 4 for £16 including postage,

thanx for the tips thats one thing less to worry about, now onto what I should have as hand luggage

 

[Danauk]

What about combination locks? do you just leave them set at the correct codes?

We have samsonite cases that use combination locks and we can not add a padlock to it. We bought TSA approved straps that lock using a TSA lock. Then we set the combination lock to stay open. This was the US authorities can get into the case if they need to without breaking it and the suitcase is still locked for our insurence.

 

[TeresaMc]

I haven't used locks for years, just used wire bag ties to hold the zippers closed. Never had any problems.

With that being said this year since we are using ME I did buy TSA approved locks just because I think our luggage might be sitting around somewhat unattended alot.

 

[wicket2005]

We have samsonite cases that use combination locks and we can not add a padlock to it. We bought TSA approved straps that lock using a TSA lock. Then we set the combination lock to stay open. This was the US authorities can get into the case if they need to without breaking it and the suitcase is still locked for our insurence.

Where did you buy these from? Thanks.

 

[Danauk]

I orderd them from here

http://www.travelwithcare.com/browse.asp?catID=767&prodID=HB158

they are quite expensive I thought especially as we needed a few, but our suitcases were expensive too and I don't want to buy different ones.

 

[wicket2005]

Thanks, I will get some for our next holiday.

 

[Clare D]

We also have hard cases. I have seen two different straps available one with a lock and one with a combination lock. Can anybody advise me which is best
Thanks