AN AIRPORT baggage handler has revealed the big mistake travellers are making when taking luggage on holiday.
With thousands of suitcases going missing every year, holidaymakers are taking extra steps to make sure they protect them from being lost for good.
One of those is putting their address on the luggage tag so it can be sent back to them when found.
However, this actually isn’t a good idea, experts have warned as it could ruin your holiday.
A baggage handler on Reddit explained: “If a bag doesn’t make it onto a plane at all then we will try get it on the next available flight out to where it should be.
“But if a bag ends up on the wrong flight in a different country, then it’s out of our hands at that moment.
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“What I recommend is putting the address of where you’re staying on a tag and have it attached to the suitcase, so if it turns up in another place, they can send it to the address on the tag ASAP.”
They added: “It’s happened to me a few times where I have found a bag that should be in Germany or Spain, but it’s somehow turned up in the UK.”
That’s not the only reason you should be careful about putting your address on your luggage tag.
If your bag is stolen and it has your keys in it, then the person with your suitcase can easily find your address and break in.
An expert told USA Today: “Don’t list your home address on luggage tags. Play it safe by using electronic luggage tags, or by listing only your basic contact information on a luggage tag.
“Most experts agree that if you can avoid listing your home address, you will be less likely to be targeted for a robbery while you are away.
Richard Clive Rowlands, who regularly travels for events and festival work, also said not to put any other addresses on it: “Don’t put a residential address on luggage tags as it says: ‘This house is empty, please burgle – and take your time.’”
Instead, it is advised to just put your name and phone number on it so whoever finds it can get in contact.
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Some holidaymakers are also using Air Tags so they can track their suitcases.
And avoid a black suitcase as these are the hardest to return to travellers if they are lost.
