Put your name and phone number on every tag
A luggage tag should hold your name and a phone number where you can be reached while traveling. That is the core information that lets an airline or baggage handler contact you if your bag goes to the wrong city or gets left behind. Write your full name clearly — the name that matches your ticket — so staff can connect the tag to your reservation.
Use a phone number that will work during your trip. If you are traveling internationally, include the country code (for example, +1 for the United States). A mobile number is better than a home number because you will have it with you. If your phone will not have service at your destination, include a number for someone at home who can relay messages to you.
Do not use a permanent marker on paper tags — the ink fades and smudges. Use a ballpoint pen or, better, print the information on a label if the tag has a plastic window. The text needs to stay readable through baggage handling, weather, and time.
Key Takeaways
- Write your full name and a working phone number on every tag so airlines can contact you if your bag is delayed or misdirected.
- Include the country code with your phone number if you are traveling outside your home country.
- Use a pen or printed label rather than permanent marker, since ink fades during baggage handling.
- Do not write your home address on the outside of a tag, because it signals to thieves that your house is empty while you travel.
- Add a secondary contact number for someone at home if your phone will not have service at your destination.
Why you should not put your home address on the outside
Many older luggage tag templates include a line for your home address. Do not fill it in on the outside of the tag. A tag with your address visible tells anyone handling your bag — or anyone watching baggage claim — that your home is empty while you are away. This is a known security risk.
If the tag has an address field on the inside flap (under a cover), you can write your address there as a backup. But the outside should show only your name and phone number. Airlines have your address on file from your ticket, so they do not need it on the tag itself.
Use a tag that closes or covers your information
A luggage tag with a plastic window or a flap that closes protects your information from weather and wear. Open tags — where you write directly on cardboard or plastic — fade faster and expose your details to anyone who picks up your bag.
Tags with a window let you slip a printed card inside. This keeps the information legible and makes it straightforward to update if you change your phone number. The window also shields your details from rain and baggage system machinery.
If you use a tag without a cover, replace it before each trip. A tag that has been through several journeys may have faded or peeling information that a baggage handler cannot read.
Consider adding a secondary identifier inside your bag
In addition to the external tag, write your name and phone number on a card or label and place it inside your bag. If your external tag gets torn off during handling, the internal label gives baggage staff another way to identify you and return the bag.
You can also photograph the inside of your bag or write down your bag's color, size, and any distinctive marks (a sticker, a patch, a broken wheel). If your bag is lost, this information helps you describe it to the airline and makes it easier for staff to spot it in a warehouse of similar bags.
What to do if you are traveling with multiple bags
Put a tag on every bag you check, not just your main suitcase. If one bag is delayed or sent to the wrong place, the airline needs to know it belongs to you. Each tag should have the same name and phone number.
If you are traveling with a group, do not put other people's names on your bags. Each person should tag their own luggage with their own name and contact number. This prevents confusion if bags are separated and makes it clear who is responsible for each piece.
Update your tag information before each trip
If you reuse luggage tags, check the information before you travel. A phone number you used two years ago may no longer be current. If you have moved, the address on an internal label is now wrong. Peel off old labels and replace them, or use a new tag.
If your tag is faded or the plastic window is cracked, replace it. A tag that is hard to read defeats its purpose. Luggage tags are inexpensive, and a new one takes seconds to fill out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put my email address on a luggage tag?
A phone number is more useful because baggage staff need to reach you quickly if your bag is delayed. Email is slower and requires internet access. If you want to include an email, add it inside your bag rather than on the external tag, where it is visible to anyone handling your luggage.
What if I do not have a permanent phone number for my trip?
Use the phone number of someone at home — a family member or friend — who can take a message and pass it along to you. Write their number on the tag and let them know you have done so. The airline will contact them if your bag needs to be returned or if there is a problem.
Can I use a QR code on my luggage tag?
Some modern tags include a QR code that links to your contact information. This works well if the code is printed clearly and protected under a plastic window. However, baggage handlers may not have time to scan a code, so always include your name and phone number in plain text as well.
What if my luggage tag gets damaged during the flight?
This is why an internal label matters. If your external tag is torn off or becomes unreadable, baggage staff can open your bag and find your contact information inside. Replace your external tag before your next trip, and check the internal label to make sure it is still legible.
Do I need different tags for international travel?
The same information works for any trip: your name and a phone number with the country code. Some travelers add their passport number inside their bag as an extra identifier, but this is optional. The external tag should remain straightforward — name and phone only.