There are a couple of things that make your stomach drop in an airport. Being motioned into the little room for further questioning, having something confiscated from your luggage and being the last one standing at the luggage carousel, without your luggage not turning up.

Between staffing issues and airports readjusting to the pre-pandemic pace, lost luggage has become a little more common than usual. In the US, The Department of Transportation figures show claims of lost luggage spiked in 2022. In August alone, the department reported that US airlines lost, delayed, or damaged 254,502 bags. 

I’d never really considered electronic luggage tags, but 2022 changed that. I only momentarily lost my luggage once and that brief experience compounded by horror stories and pictures of mountains of unclaimed bags made me decide it was time to invest in a luggage tag.

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How do trackers work?

These trackers or tiles are Bluetooth-based and designed to find things in close range like wallets, car keys and handbags. They aren’t really built for long distance but given the circumstances and where the technology is at, they will work for short ranges and it’s the best we’ve got. AirTags still work as long as anyone with an iPhone is nearby.

Which trackers are good for travel? 

• Apple AirTags are a popular option. They’re easy to set up and cost around $45 
• Tile Mate is budget friendly, pairs with Apple and Android, and is surprisingly water-resistant if your bag goes for a swim. Prices start at around $22 and go up to $40 depending on the product you choose.
• Samsung Galaxy SmartTag is by far the most impressive in terms of range with 120m and isn’t priced too badly at $40. 

What else should I do to ensure my luggage doesn’t get lost?

• The basic tag
  Even if you have an electronic tag, you should always use the basic paper tag too. You can make it fancy with a holder to make sure it doesn’t get snapped off while being handled. Include the address of your first stop and your phone number. Make sure to include the long version with +61 in front if you’re travelling overseas.
  

• Make sure the airline tag is on your luggage
  Every time you check in, ground staff will print and attach a tag with the airline information. Firstly, make sure this is attached. Following that, take an extra minute at check in to double check the flight details match your flight number and destination.
  

• Travel insurance
  If you can afford to travel, you can afford travel insurance. Travel insurance helps with a lost luggage allowance so you can purchase replacement clothing while you wait for your bag to turn up.
  

• Make it stand out
  Ever noticed how many black bags there are? The crazier your luggage, the more it’ll stand out. If you don’t want to buy a new case, you can order a customisable suitcase cover to make it memorable. 

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