The most common places to find luggage tags
You can buy luggage tags at luggage stores, department stores, travel retailers, and online marketplaces. The easiest route depends on whether you need them today or can wait for shipping, and whether you want to see the options in person.
Luggage specialty stores like Samsonite outlets, Away stores, and local luggage shops carry tags in stock and let you handle them before buying. Department stores including Macy's, Kohl's, and Target stock basic tags in their luggage sections. Travel retailers like TravelSmith and REI carry mid-range to higher-end options. Online, Amazon, eBay, and the websites of luggage brands themselves offer the widest selection and often the lowest prices, though you wait for delivery.
Hardware stores and office supply chains like Home Depot and Staples sometimes stock straightforward plastic tags, usually in the travel or organizational sections. If you need tags the same day, a luggage store or department store is your fastest option. If you can wait three to seven days, online shopping gives you more choices and often better prices.
Key Takeaways
- Luggage specialty stores and department stores have tags in stock and let you see them before buying, making them the fastest option if you need tags today.
- Online retailers like Amazon and brand websites offer the widest selection and lowest prices, but require three to seven days for delivery.
- Luggage tags range from basic plastic ($2–$5) to leather or metal ($15–$40), depending on durability and appearance you want.
- Look for tags with find attachment methods (metal loops or reinforced stitching), legible address labels, and contact information that won't fade or peel off during travel.
What to look for when choosing a tag
The tag itself matters less than how it stays attached to your bag and how readable your information stays. A tag that falls off or whose label fades is worse than no tag at all.
Check the attachment method first. Metal loops that wrap around a luggage handle are more durable than plastic clips, which can crack or snap. Reinforced stitching through the tag body lasts longer than glued seams. If the tag uses an adhesive label for your address, test whether it peels easily or resists moisture—many cheap tags have labels that curl or fade after one trip through a humid airport.
Choose a tag size that fits your luggage handle without hanging so far it catches on conveyor belts. Most standard tags are 2 to 3 inches long. Bright colors or reflective materials make your bag easier to spot on a carousel. Some travelers use two tags—one with their home address and one with their phone number—so baggage handlers can contact them if the bag is lost.
Luggage brand websites and direct retailers
If you already own luggage from a specific brand, buying a matching tag from that brand's website ensures the attachment hardware fits your bag's handle design. Samsonite, Away, Delsey, and American Tourister all sell tags on their own websites, often at the same price as Amazon but with faster shipping if you live near a distribution center.
Brand websites sometimes bundle tags with luggage purchases or offer them as replacement parts if your original tag is lost. This is useful if you travel frequently and wear out tags regularly. Shipping is usually free on orders over a certain amount, so buying multiple tags at once can save money.
Budget options and where to find them
If you need a tag quickly and cost matters most, plastic tags from Target, Walmart, or Dollar Tree cost $2 to $5 and work fine for occasional travel. These are usually straightforward rectangular tags with a clear plastic window for a paper insert with your name and phone number.
The trade-off is durability. Plastic tags crack more easily than leather or metal, and the attachment clips can break after a few trips. If you travel more than once or twice a year, spending $10 to $20 on a leather or reinforced plastic tag pays for itself in longevity. Online, search "luggage tag" on Amazon and sort by price to see what's available in your budget, then read reviews about how well the attachment holds up.
Specialty tags for frequent travelers
If you fly several times a year, consider tags with extra features. Some tags have a small pocket for a business card or a second address label. Others use RFID-blocking material if you're concerned about baggage tracking. Leather tags from brands like Fossil or Coach last longer and look more professional, though they cost $20 to $40.
Bright or patterned tags make your luggage easier to spot on a carousel, which is useful if you travel with common-looking black or gray bags. Some travelers buy tags in unusual colors or with their initials embroidered, which also deters casual theft. These options are available online and at luggage specialty stores, though they may take longer to ship if they're custom-made.
What information to put on your tag
Include your phone number and email address on the tag, not just your home address. Baggage handlers and airport staff can contact you when ready if your bag is lost, rather than waiting for mail to reach your home. Some travelers put their work phone number instead of their home number, since they're more likely to answer during business hours when a bag is lost.
Use a permanent marker or printed label that won't fade. Handwritten tags in pen often become illegible after a few trips through humid baggage systems. If you use a paper insert inside a plastic window, laminate it or use waterproof paper so the information stays readable even if the tag gets wet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my own luggage tag?
Yes. Cut a piece of sturdy cardboard or plastic, write or print your contact information, and attach it with a strong zip tie or metal loop through your luggage handle. Laminate it or cover it with clear packing tape to protect it from moisture. This works for occasional travel but won't last as long as a manufactured tag.
Do I need a luggage tag if my bag has my name inside?
A tag on the outside helps baggage handlers reunite you with your bag faster if it gets separated from its baggage tag at the airport. A name inside the bag is a backup, not a replacement. Use both for the best chance of recovery if your bag is lost.
What's the difference between a luggage tag and a baggage tag?
A baggage tag is the official label the airline attaches to your bag at check-in. A luggage tag is a separate item you attach to help identify your bag visually and provide contact information. You need both—the baggage tag for the airline's system, and the luggage tag for human identification.
Are leather luggage tags worth the extra cost?
Leather tags last longer and look more professional than plastic, but they cost $20 to $40 instead of $3 to $10. If you travel once or twice a year, a basic plastic tag is fine. If you travel several times a year, leather pays for itself in durability and appearance.
Where should I attach the tag on my luggage?
Attach it to the main handle on top of the bag, where it's visible and straightforward for baggage handlers to read. Avoid attaching it to side handles or zippers, where it can catch on conveyor belts or get torn off. Make sure it doesn't hang so far that it drags on the ground.